Foundations of Communication

Chapter 1

communication

the process of using symbols to exchange meaning,

communication study

focuses on how people use messages to generate meanings within and across various contexts, cultures, channels and media.

channel

the method a sender uses to send a message to a receiver

linear model of communication

a model that suggests communication moves only in one direction. The sender encodes a message, then uses a certain channel (verbal/nonverbal communication) to send it to a receiver who decodes (interprets) the message. Noise is anything that interferes with, or changes, the original encoded message.

transactional model of communication

adds to the Linear Model by suggesting that both parties in a communication exchange act as both sender and receiver simultaneously, encoding and decoding messages to and from each other at the same time.

message

the particular meaning or content the sender wishes the receiver to understand. The message can be intentional or unintentional, written or spoken, verbal or nonverbal, or any combination of these.

noise

anything that interferes with the sending or receiving of a message, can be external or internal.

receiver

the recipient of a message. Receivers must decode (interpret) messages in ways that are meaningful for them.

sender

someone who encodes and sends a message to a receiver through a particular channel, the initiator of communication

verbal communication

relies on language and includes speaking, writing, and sign language

nonverbal communication

includes gestures, facial expressions, paralanguage, and touch

how is communication different from anthropology, sociology, psychology etc?

Communication studies focus strictly on the creation, exchange, and effects of messages. Other social sciences study broader human behavior, culture, or the mind.

internal noise

physical pain, psychological stress, or nervousness about an upcoming test, anything that isn’t an outside source

external noise

interferences from an external source, examples include a jack hammer outside your apartment window or loud music in a nightclub.