Communication Science and Theory

Flashcards based on the lecture transcript regarding the mechanics, models, and barriers of communication, including insights from Sibia (2018).

Communication (Sibia, 2018)

The exchange of information between people by sending and receiving it through speaking, writing, or any other medium.

Linear model

A classic communication framework consisting of a sender, a message, a receiver, and noise.

Circular communication

The principle that communication is a continuous cycle involving a feedback loop rather than a one-way street.

Feedback

The primary function of providing the sender with information regarding the receiver's perception of a situation.

Encoder

The source or stimulus, such as an idea, event, or situation, that triggers the need to communicate.

Self talk

A form of interpersonal communication consisting of the messages we send to ourselves.

Encoding

The process of using language and specific signs or symbols to package an idea into a shareable message.

Decoding

The cognitive processing performed by the receiver to interpret a message and formulate feedback.

Physiological gatekeepers

Physical attributes, specifically good eyesight and hearing, required for a message to reach the cognitive processing stage.

Paraverbal cues

Auditory data sent alongside words, including tone, pitch, speed, and volume.

Organizational barriers

Structural or systemic obstacles within a company's design, such as rigid hierarchies that block information flow.

Semantic barriers

Communication friction that occurs when the meaning of symbols, jargon, or idioms is misinterpreted during decoding.

Emotional barriers

Internal filters like stress, anger, or mistrust that affect how a receiver decodes a message.

Mild to moderate anxiety

A state that broadens a person's perceptual field, making them more alert and observant during communication.

High anxiety

A state where the perceptual field narrows, causing communication to break down.

Technological physical barrier

Technical issues such as video call latency at a rate greater than $500\,ms$ that impede information flow.

Interpersonal communication

A scale of communication involving two people, either face-to-face or via telephone.

Group communication

A scale of communication involving three or more people, leading to more complicated feedback loops.

Effective Communicator (Preceptor/Teacher)

Someone who communicates clear goals and connects new information to broader concepts within a larger framework.

Irreversible

A core principle of communication stating that once a message is sent, it cannot be taken back.