Purposive Communication Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering core definitions, communication models, nonverbal types, cultural concepts, language registers, and workplace documentation from Purposive Communication.

Communication

A process by which information, meanings, and feelings are shared by persons through a common system of verbal and nonverbal symbols, signs, or behavior.

Intrapersonal Communication

Talking to oneself (self-talk) through internal vocalization or reflective thinking triggered by an internal or external stimulus.

Interpersonal Communication

A form of communication wherein individuals are engaged actively in the overt and covert transmission and reception of messages.

Dyadic Communication

A two-person communication interaction, such as a telephone conversation, job interview, or doctor-patient dialogue.

Small Group Communication

Communication occurring among three to six persons engaged in collaborative tasks like committee meetings, buzz sessions, or brainstorming.

Mass Communication

The process whereby media organizations produce and transmit messages to large publics, and the process by which those messages are sought, used, understood, and influenced by the audience.

Transmission Model of Communication

A communication model that views communication as a one-directional exchange in which a message is purposely conveyed from a speaker to a listener.

Interaction Model of Communication

A two-way communication model describing a process where communicators alternate roles as sender and receiver, exchanging messages and feedback within their environment.

Transaction Model of Communication

A model that views communication as an ongoing process of co-creating realities, relationships, and experiences within social, relational, and cultural contexts.

Social Context

The stated rules or undeclared norms that guide and govern communication behavior within a given community or social interaction.

Relational Context

The interpersonal background, history, and established type of relationship between individuals that influences how they communicate.

Cultural Context

The aspects of an individual's self-concept and perception shaped by nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, race, gender, and sexual orientation during interaction.

Verbal Communication

The exchange of ideas, opinions, values, and suggestions through oral or written words.

Nonverbal Communication

The wordless exchange of information, thoughts, and feelings using vocal qualities, body movements, spatial distance, touch, and physical objects.

Paralanguage (Vocalics)

Vocal qualities that accompany verbal messages, including pitch, volume, speaking rate, vocal quality, and verbal fillers.

Kinesics (Action Language)

Nonverbal communication involving bodily movements, gestures, facial expressions, eye contact, and posture.

Objectics (Object Language)

Nonverbal communication expressed through the display of material items such as clothing, jewelry, hairstyle, room decor, and tools.

Haptics (Tactile Language)

Communication transmitted through physical touch, such as a handshake, kiss, hug, or tap on the back.

Proxemics

The study and structured use of physical space and distance between communicators to express specific types of messages.

Chronemics

The perception and practical use of time in sending nonverbal messages, including punctuality and willingness to wait.

Ethical Communication

Communication practiced to improve human interaction and societal moral life through truthfulness, integrity, fairness, respect, and responsibility.

Global Village

A term coined by Marshall McLuhan in 1964 to describe a world where people instantly and easily share culture through electronic and digital technology.

Culture

The system of shared beliefs, values, customs, behaviors, and artifacts that members of a society use to cope with their world and each other across generations.

Co-culture

A group or subculture whose members share a general parent culture but differ in specific racial, ethnolinguistic, or social characteristics.

Ethnocentrism

The tendency of a cultural group to view its own culture as superior to others and to pass negative judgments on other cultures based on its own norms.

Cultural Relativism

The acceptance that all cultures are equal in value and should be understood and evaluated within their own context rather than judged by foreign standards.

Transpection

The process of empathizing across cultures by attempting to view the world, beliefs, and feelings directly from the perspective of another culture.

Power Distance Index (PDI)

Hofstede's cultural dimension measuring the degree to which less powerful members of a society accept and expect hierarchical and unequal distribution of power.

Uncertainty Avoidance Index (UAI)

Hofstede's cultural dimension describing how comfortably a society tackles uncertainty, ambiguity, and unstructured situations.

Language Register

The degree of formality or informality in language choice, selected according to the communication context, topic, and audience relationship.

Frozen Register

A static, formal style of communication that rarely or never changes and is typically recited by rote during official rituals or ceremonies.

Consultative Register

A semi-formal, conversational language register used with strangers or professional acquaintances, relying on active listener feedback.

Bias-Free Language

Inclusive language designed to avoid discrimination, stereotyping, or offense based on gender, race, age, physical ability, or sexual orientation.

Multimodal Text

A text that conveys meaning by combining two or more semiotic systems, such as linguistic, visual, audio, gestural, and spatial modes.

Critical Reading

Approaching written material with an analytical mindset to evaluate what it says, how its claims are structured, and why it presents information in a particular manner.

Critical Listening

A listening process involving systematic analysis and reasoning to assess whether a speaker's message is logically sound and grounded in factual evidence.

Informative Communication

Written or oral communication meant to convey knowledge, clarify definitions, and explain processes or concepts to foster understanding.

Persuasive Communication

Communication designed to influence an audience's beliefs, attitudes, or actions using logical, ethical, and emotional appeals (logos, ethos, pathos).

Monroe's Motivated Sequence

A five-step organizational strategy for persuasive messaging comprising Attention, Need, Satisfaction, Visualization, and Action.

Memorandum (Memo)

A concise official written document used within an organization to record decisions, announce policies, or share operational information among staff.

Minutes of the Meeting

The official written record summarizing attendee lists, topics discussed, conclusions reached, and action items assigned during a business meeting.

Business Report

A formal written document analyzing a real business situation, presenting findings, conclusions, and actionable recommendations for management.

Business Plan

A formal document outlining an organization's mission, market analysis, operational strategy, and financial projections required to achieve business goals.