Communication Process, Principles, and Ethics

Vocabulary flashcards covering the core concepts, principles, elements, needs, and ethics of communication from Chapter 1 of ENG 3A Purposive Communication.

Communication

Derived from the Latin words con (with), munus (a business), communis (common), and communico (to confer or relate with one another), it is the transfer of information, thoughts, or ideas to create a shared understanding between a sender and a receiver.

Four Domains of Life

The four episodes of life in which communication is integrated: Academics, Professional, Personal, and Civic.

Physical Needs

Needs met by communication that affect overall well-being.

Relational Needs

Needs met by communication that maintain social bonds and interpersonal relationships.

Instrumental Needs

Needs met by communication that help individuals achieve long-term and short-term goals.

Identity Needs

Needs met by communication that allow individuals to present themselves in a distinct manner.

Culture

A full range of learned human behavioral patterns which includes knowledge, belief, art, law, morals, customs, capabilities, and habits acquired by man as a member of the society (O'Neil, 2006).

Context

The circumstance that forms the setting for an event, statement, or idea, and in terms of which it can be fully understood (Oxford Dictionary, 2018).

Communication Ethics

Deals with the process of negotiating and reflecting on our actions and communication regarding what we believe to be right and wrong.

Verbal Communication

A form of transmitting messages using words and word symbols representing ideas and objects, coming in oral and written forms.

Non-verbal Communication

A form of communication that refers to the sending of messages to another person using methods or means other than the spoken language.

Sender

A person, group, or organization who initiates the communication.

Message

An element transmitted in communication consisting of the idea, opinion, information, feeling, or attitude of the sender.

Channel

A pathway or medium through which the message travels to reach its destination.

Receiver

A person who receives, analyzes, understands, and interprets the message.

Feedback

The receiver's response that provides information to the sender.

Adjustment

An element of communication done if the message is distorted or is not clearly understood by the receiver.

Noise

A form of distortion, barrier, or obstacle that occurs in any of the phases of the oral communication process.

Five Steps to the Communication Process in the Workplace

The sequential steps of communication consisting of Creation, Transmission, Translation, Reception, and Response.

Content (in Communication)

Refers to the information and experiences that are provided to the receiver of the communication process.

Process (in Communication)

Refers to the way the message is presented or delivered.

Context (in Communication Issues)

The situation or environment in which your message is delivered.

Principle of Clarity

The principle stating that the information or message should be coded or worded clearly.

Principle of Attention

The principle stating that the receiver's attention should be drawn to the message to make communication effective.

Principle of Feedback

The principle stating there should be feedback information from the receiver to know whether they understood the message in the intended sense.

Principle of Informality

The principle stating that informal communication may prove effective in situations when formal communication may not achieve its desired results.

Principle of Timeliness

The principle stating that communication should be done in real time to aid relevance in implementing plans.

Principle of Consistency

The principle stating that consistency avoids conflict while inconsistency leads to confusion.

Principle of Adequacy

The principle stating that information should be complete to enable proper decisions and action plans.

National Communication Association (NCA)

The organization that developed the Credo for Ethical Communication, emphasizing that ethics applies across all channels and contexts.