Oral Communication (First Semester) Key Concepts and Models (Flashcards)

A comprehensive set of practice flashcards covering basic to advanced concepts in oral communication, including models, barriers, speech styles, speech act theory, contexts, strategies, and functions.

What is communication and how does it occur?

Communication occurs between two or more people and can be written or spoken.

Name the core elements of the communication process

Sender, message, encode, channel, receiver, decode, feedback, context, and barriers.

What does encoding mean in communication

Putting the targeted message into an appropriate medium whether verbal or nonverbal.

What does decoding mean in communication

Converting or interpreting the message into intelligible language.

What is feedback in communication

The response of the receiver; the ultimate aspect of communication.

What is a barrier in communication

Factors that affect the flow of communication such as noise, language barriers, and culture.

Define an emotional barrier

Mental walls that prevent open communication, such as anger or pride.

What is a jargon barrier

Special words or expressions used by a profession that are hard for others to understand.

What is a physical barrier in communication

An obvious barrier that can be removed in place.

What are prejudices and expectations as barriers

Stereotypes and internalized impressions that affect communication.

What is a cultural barrier

Differences in culture that affect communication, including language and customs.

What is culture in the context of communication

Shared manners, customs, beliefs, and accepted ways of living and behaving.

Why is language a crucial barrier in cross cultural communication

Differences in language and dialects are considered the most crucial barrier.

How does body language function in cross cultural communication

It provides meaning and justification; beliefs and values influence interpretation.

Who is known as the father of information theory

Claude Elwood Shannon.

What is the Shannon Model of Communication

A model of communication with sender, encoder, decoder, receiver, channel, and noise.

What are the three levels of problems in communication

Technical problem, semantic problem, effectiveness problem.

Define a technical problem in communication

How accurately the message can be transmitted when encoder or channel causes problems.

Define a semantic problem in communication

How precisely the transmitted message conveys the intended meaning.

Define an effectiveness problem in communication

How well the received meaning affects the receiver's conduct.

What is the Shannon Weaver Model of Communication

A mathematical theory of communication with six concepts: sender, encoder, decoder, receiver, channel, noise.

What is the Osgood Schramm model of communication

A circular, reciprocal model where communication depends on encoding, decoding, and interpreting.

What are the four principles of the Osgood Schramm model

Circular communication; communication involves interpretation; encoding decoding and interpreting; equal and reciprocal communication.

Two plus points about the Osgood Schramm model

Shows how feedback can work; recognizes communication is complex and involves active participants.

Two criticisms of the Osgood Schramm model

Does not account for unequal communication; not ideal for mass communication.

What does SMCR stand for in Berlo's model

Source or Sender, Message, Channel, Receiver.

What are the main components of Berlo's SMCR model

Source/Sender, Message, Channel, Receiver.

What affects the Sender in SMCR

Communication skills, attitude, knowledge, social system, culture.

What aspects are included in the Message in SMCR

Content, elements, treatments, structure, code.

What is the Channel in SMCR

The medium used to send the message by the senses such as hearing, seeing, touching.

What defines the Receiver in SMCR

The person who gets the message.

Who expanded the linear model into SMCR

David Berlo in 1960.

What did Aristotle contribute to the understanding of communication

Listener determines the meaning of a message.

What are the criticisms of the SMCR model regarding feedback

Lacks feedback in its structure.

What are the seven Cs of effective communication

Completeness, Conciseness, Consideration, Concreteness, Courtesy, Clearness, Correctness.

What does completeness mean in the 7 Cs

Include everything the receiver needs to hear, respond to, and evaluate.

What does conciseness mean in the 7 Cs

Be direct and use the least number of words.

What does consideration mean in the 7 Cs

Respect the audience's background and information needs.

What does concreteness mean in the 7 Cs

Back up statements with facts, figures, and examples.

What does courtesy mean in the 7 Cs

Show respect to the audience and consider their beliefs and culture.

What does clearness mean in the 7 Cs

Use simple and specific words to express ideas.

What does correctness mean in the 7 Cs

Avoid grammar mistakes to boost credibility.

What is a strategy to avoid communication breakdown by using expressions

Use helpful expressions to gain time to think, give positive remarks, ask for repetition, and check for understanding.

What is verbal communication

Use of words to convey a message, including written aspects.

What is meant by appropriateness in verbal communication

Using language suitable to the event or context.

What is formal communication

A controlled, prepared form of communication that follows rules and conventions.

What is informal communication

Casual and spontaneous exchange not bound by strict rules.

What is brevity in verbal communication

Using simple, precise words and getting to the point.

What is clarity in verbal communication

Using simple and exact words to clearly express ideas.

What is ethics in verbal communication

Moral standards to consider in how you speak.

What is vividness in verbal communication

Making the conversation lively and engaging.

What is nonverbal communication

Communication through body language, gestures, attitude, and dressing.

Who identified the five speech styles

Martin Joos.

What are the five speech styles

Frozen, Intimate, Formal, Casual, Consultative.

Describe frozen style

Most formal, no feedback, used in pledges, laws, ceremonies.

Describe intimate style

Used between very close people with personal relation.

Describe formal style

Slang avoided, prepared, little background, minimal feedback.

Describe casual style

Friends and insiders with shared background, informal.

Describe consultative style

Operational with strangers who share language; semi-formal; two way participation.

What is speech act theory and who developed it

A theory that language is used to perform actions; developed by J. L. Austin and expanded by John R. Searle.

What is an utterance in speech act theory

An act of speaking.

What is a constative utterance

Describes something and is true or false.

What is a performative utterance

Has an impact and changes the world even if it does not describe.

What is a locutionary act

The act of saying something that has meaning.

What is an illocutionary act

The force or intention behind the utterance.

What is a perlocutionary act

The effects on the audience such as emotions or thoughts.

What is an assertive speech act

Expresses belief in the truth of a proposition.

What is a directive speech act

Attempts to cause the addressee to perform an action.

What is a commissive speech act

Commitment by the speaker to do something in the future.

What is an expressive speech act

Expresses feelings or emotional reactions.

What is a declaration speech act

Brings about a change in the external situation.

What is intrapersonal speech context

Communication that occurs within one person where sender and receiver are the same.

What is interpersonal speech context

Occurs between people and can range from casual to formal.

What are the types of interpersonal contexts

Dyad, small group, public, mass communication.

What are communicative strategies

Plans or means to share information to achieve a purpose.

What is nomination in communicative strategies

Collaboratively establishing a topic.

What is restriction in communicative strategies

Limitations or rules that constrain what you can say.

What is turn taking in communicative strategies

Process of deciding who speaks to give everyone a chance.

What is topic control in communicative strategies

How formality or informality affects the development of conversations.

What is topic shifting in communicative strategies

Moving from one topic to another as a conversation progresses.

What is repair in communicative strategies

Addressing problems in speaking, listening, and understanding.

What is termination in communicative strategies

Concluding the topic and ending the conversation.

What are the functions of communication

Control and regulation, social interaction, motivation, information dissemination, emotional expressions.

What does the control and regulation function do

Regulates the behavior of individuals or groups.

What is the social interaction function

A way to interact and express needs, desires, decisions, and goals.

What is the motivation function

Inspires or motivates someone to improve.

What is the information dissemination function

Shares information to educate others.

What is the emotional expressions function

Connects with others to affect them emotionally.