Essentials of Organizational Behaviour: Communication

This set of flashcards covers key vocabulary and concepts related to communication in organizational behaviour.

Communication

The process of transferring and understanding meaning among individuals.

Encoding

The process of converting a message into a form suitable for transmission.

Decoding

The process by which the receiver interprets the message.

Noise

Any interference that distorts the message during the communication process.

Downward Communication

Communication that flows from a higher level of the organizational hierarchy to a lower level.

Upward Communication

Communication that flows from a lower level of the organization to a higher level.

Lateral Communication

Communication that occurs between individuals at the same organizational level.

Formal Channels of Communication

Established pathways in which information flows through an organization.

Informal Channels of Communication

Spontaneous and personal channels of communication not officially sanctioned.

Information Richness

The potential of information to change a person's understanding, influenced by the communication channel used.

Oral Communication

The verbal expression of information and ideas.

Written Communication

Communication that involves the use of written words or symbols.

Nonverbal Communication

Communication without words, using body language and other signals.

Perceptual Bias

The tendency to form opinions based on past experiences or viewpoints.

Crisis Communication

Strategies employed to communicate effectively during a crisis.

Automatic Processing

Superficial consideration of information using heuristics.

Controlled Processing

In-depth analysis of information relying on facts and logic.

Filtering

The process of omitting information based on personal biases.

Selective Perception

The tendency to focus on certain aspects of information while ignoring others.

Communication Apprehension

Fear or anxiety associated with real or anticipated communication.

Cultural Context

The environment or background that influences how communication is perceived.

High Context Cultures

Cultures where communication relays heavily on nonverbal cues and the situational context.

Low Context Cultures

Cultures where communication is more direct and relies primarily on spoken or written words.

Grapevine Communication

An informal communication network within an organization.

Channel Choice

The decision-making process selecting the effective communication medium for a message.

Feedback

The response or reaction of a receiver to a message.

Emergence of a Leader

The process of an individual being recognized as a leader in a group.