Intro to Communications Chapters

Non-Verbal Communication (body language, facial expressions), Paralanguage Communication (non-verbal elements - tone, pitch, volume, & vocal quality), and Language Communication (verbal - spoken or written words)

What are the three Communication Codes?

Stimulus

Something needs to happen in order for you to be motivated to communicate

Encoding

Converting thoughts or information into a comprehensive message for transmission

Decoding

Understanding and interpreting the message

External Noise

Distraction that is outside of the communicators' exchange (ex. lawnmower noise, side conversation, construction)

Internal Noise

Distraction which is internal for the communicators (ex. headache, anxiety, anger, biases, cognitive limitations)

1. Level of Observation

2. Question of Intent

3. Point of View

4. Issue of Outcomes

The Definition of Communication can change based on looking at..

Message

Any symbol or collection of symbols which have meaning or utility; ex. speeches, letters, emojis, comics, paintings, poems, advertisements

Explain, predict, control, everyday, everyday, granted, stable, change

Personal theories: Helps _______, ________, and _______ ________ phenomena and circumstances

• Based on ________ Experience

• Taken for _______

• Stable

• Private

• Resistant to ______

Question, assumptions, needs

Uncommon sense: Allows us to continually ________ our own __________ and become attentive to others' _____ and perspectives

Scholarly theories

Systematic frameworks used to explain, predict, or understand phenomena within specific academic disciplines, often based on empirical evidence and rigorous analysis.

• Public

• Questioned

• Subject to change

• Systemic testing and observation

Systems Perspective

Multiplicity of factors: multi-dimensional, multi-directional, and extremely complex process of involving messages that can be intentional or unintentional

Simplies the communication process into five key elements: who (the sender), says what (the message), in which channel (the medium), to whom (the receiver), with what effect (the outcome).

Lasswell’s View

Linear model that conceptualizes communication as a process involving a sender, a message, a channel, a receiver, and noise

• Also distinguished between a message and signal

• Information source and transmitter

• Receiver and destination (decodes and interprets message @ the destination)

Shannon and Weaver’s View

Suggests that media messages first influence opinion leaders, who then disseminate and reinterpret these messages to the broader population

Katz and Lazarsfeld’s View

Highlights feedback loops between these elements, recognizing that communication is not a linear process but rather one that involves continuous interaction and adjustment between sender and receiver.

Westley and MacLean’s View

Open Systems

Those (animals and humans) that continually participate in give-and-take transactions with their environment which are essential to survival

• Visual

• Tactile

• Gustatory

• Olfactory

• Auditory

What are the Communication Models?

Self-Reference

The meanings we learn attach to the symbols we use always reflect our own experiences. The things we say or do and how we interpret others’ words and actions are a reflection of our experiences and expectations.

“Kimchi is spicy,”

“It sure is cold today”

“That teacher was excellent”

Self-Reflexivity

Allows individuals to view themselves "self" - as part of and apart from their environment (allows us to theorize about ourselves and our experiences)

The Principle of Nonidentity

Words are not the same order of stuff as the realities they refer to

We don't deal with reality, we deal with what we say about reality

World is constantly changing, while language may not

The Principle of Non-Allness

Our language can never represent all the objects, events, or people to which we are referring

No matter how good a map you make, you can't represent all of the territory

The Principle of Self-Reflexiveness

When we use concepts, we become increasingly abstract and away from the world of the tangible

One cannot be a success or failure but only seen or interpreted as one by someone

The Pygmalion Effect

Higher expectations lead to an increase in performance

- If a person is given higher expectations or treated as though they are capable of achieving more. , they are likely to perform better

- Conversely, low expectations can lead to diminished performance and potential.

Authentic Theory of Communication

"Prose ought to be maximally transparent and minimally self-conscious"

Ex. Undamaged, intact messages through the transmission process such as through telephone and video

- Clear, concise, trustworthy

- Unified by authentic human communication

Reflective Theory of Communication

- George Mead: Being human is more than our ability to be ourselves

- Communication is collected by social norms and expectations of common cultural values

- We are less our own authors than we might believe

- Person's ability to integrate social activities of background / culture --> living to your highest potential

- People are like mirrors to one another

- When we interact with others we can see parts of ourselves

- We define ourselves by what we see in the reflections

Artful Theory of Communication

Privileges the individual

- Concentrates on how human identity is built rather than revealed

- People craft and select their identities as a desire to influence how others see us; "designing ourselves"

- Automobile industry: Social competition and status symbolism

Euphemism

Words used in places of terms that some people might find offensive (Ex. flight attendent vs stewardess)

Bypassing

When two individuals miss each other’s meaning because they are using equivocal language (She’s super nice and The class will be easy - both are subjective and dependent on the individual)

Fundamental Attribution Error

Refers to an individual's tendency to attribute another's actions to their character or personality, while attributing their behavior to external situational factors outside of their control.

Social Comparison Theory

Image of self is based on the way we compare ourselves to others

Reflected Appraisal Theory

Image or self reflects the way we believe others see us

Self-Appraisal

Wherein an individual assesses their own performance, skills, strengths, weaknesses, and contribution

Confirming Responses

__________ support our self appraisal (others treat us how we are expected to be treated)

Rejecting Responses

__________ negate our self appraisal (others treat us in a way we do not expect, based on our self-concept)

Disconfirming Responses

__________ rob us of our sense of self (others treat us as if we were irrelevant)