Chapter 1: Introduction to Human Communication

Main Topics: Oral and Aural Communication, Four Communication Settings, Transactional Theory of Communication, Purposes of Communication, Characteristics of Communication, Sender-Based vs. Receiver-Based Communication

oral communication

speaking

aural communication

listening

uses of communication

to interact with those around us, to build relationships, to satisfy our own personal needs, to exchange information, to persuade others, and to work collaboratively in groups

hard skills

specific to our fields

soft skills

apply across the board and enhance our ability to work with others in a range of settings

settings of communication studies

Interpersonal Communication, Small Group Communication, Intercultural Communication, Public Speaking, Computer-Mediated Communication, Mass Media

interpersonal communication

everyday communication/exchange between two or more people to create shared meanings, achieve social goals, manage personal identities and carry out relationships

fundamental drive of communication

reduce uncertainty

stimulus-response

All other animals live in a world of stimulus-response. They react instinctively to whatever is around them at the moment.

stimulus-thought-response

Humans sense the world around us, we think about it, we talk about it, and finally we respond to it.  We respond to thought more than stimulus with abstract thoughts and mental images.

what theory of General Semantics says about communication

• we have limits as to what we can experience through our senses

• we can never experience “all” of what is “out there” to experience

• have both automatic reactions and controlled reactions to stimuli

key tool through communication

The key survival tool we use to manage and respond to the world around us. By connecting with other humans, we can test and assess our perceptions, our thoughts about the stimuli, to determine if our responses to those thoughts are reasonable.

goal of interpersonal communication

reduce uncertainty by fulfilling our interpersonal needs for belongingness and acceptance

belongingness

our need to feel we fit in and belong to a group of some sort

reference group

• a collection of individuals with whom acceptance is extremely important

• spend a lot of time with them

• strongly driven to feel we belong to that group

• it gives us a place to fit in and feel valued

acceptance

• look for those who accept and understand who we are

  • accept our traits, both positive and negative, not our successes and failures

  • underlying relationship remains despite disagreements

response in new place

most of us will deliberately try to connect with someone to fulfill acceptance and belonging needs, at least temporarily

model of interpersonal communication

Both people are relatively equal (same size and value); relatively balanced speaking and listening back and forth

small group communication

several among several

goal of small group communication

task completion

when small group communication is effective:

interpersonal needs are met; there is a sense of acceptance and belongingness among members

model of small group communication

• task group of 5 people of equal value and worth, all members participating equally with other group members

• realistically, participation will not always be equal but model shows ideal situation

public speaking

• one to many (not with/among but to)

• not mutual exchange but unidirectional

role of speaker in public speaking

• majority of message from speaker

• in charge of creation, sending and substance of message

• speaker has more responsibility for success of communication event

role of audience in public speaking

• attending to the message; decoding; interpreting; asking questions

• offer feedback: subtle (facial expressions) to overt (laughter, questions, applause)

• speaker uses feedback to gauge how event is going

goal of public speaking

transmit information: speaker shares idea/information/position with group

model for public speaking

• speaker larger than audience as primary source for communication

• large arrow referencing greater unidirectionality of communication

• dotted arrows show feedback from audience

computer-mediated communication (CMC)

• communication occurring through the use of computer technologies

• cell phones, texting, email, social media (like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram), discussion boards, and video conferencing

benefits of CMC

• easier connection with other people

  • stay connected with friends and family

  • collaboration abilities with people in different places

  • affect social change: find and connect with those sharing concerns and passions

drawbacks of CMC

• decreasing attention spans

• used to short messages instead of well-developed and thoughtful discourse

• difficulty to manage boredom

• less face-to-face interaction, increased isolation

• weaker development of small talk

benefit of understanding communication

more capable of diagnosing communication problems, and more equipped to identify and employ solutions to those problems for effective communication

definition of communication

the transactional process of using symbolic language to stimulate shared meaning

types of processes

linear and circular (past), transactional (current)

linear model

• sender sends message to receiver

• receiver processes message for understanding

• only shows one direction

• does not account for fact that many messages come in forms of responses

• does not allow for/describe relationship of one message to another

circular model

• sender sends message to receiver

• receiver sends message back to sender as feedback

• sender becomes receiver and vice versa

• accounts for related messages

• falsely assumes all messages have a causal relationship

  • many messages are independent of what was just experienced

transactional model of communication

• multiple messages flowing simultaneously between people

• some messages are independent and some are causal (feedback)

• we sort out types of messages during interactions

task-shifting

we are capable of receiving, decoding, and responding to another person’s behavior, while at the same time that other person is receiving and responding to ours

communication is a process

• an event comprised of many parts working together and depending on each other

• if a part of communication fails, whole process is affected

symbolic language

• set of sounds or shapes to which we attach meaning

• shapes and sounds symbolize objects or concepts

issue with symbolic language

• we each see language in our own individual way

• the meanings we attach may be similar, but often those meanings can be dramatically different

• greater chance of miscommunication when using abstract over concrete language

stimulate shared meaning

• goal of communication process: what the speaker intends by message and how the receiver interprets the message are highly similar

• we cannot directly transfer meaning; must use interpretive process to attempt to stimulate meaning

stages of interpretive process to stimulate shared meaning

1. We select symbols that have a certain meaning for us based on our life experience.

2. We translate them into sounds and shapes.

3. We send them to the receiver.

4. The receiver sees or hears the shapes and sounds.

5. The receiver determines what discrete symbols they have seen or heard.

6. The receiver attaches meaning to those symbols based on their life experiences.

Multiple stages offer opportunity for misunderstanding

mutual responsibility

in communication, all participants have some responsibility for the success or failure of the communication

general role of speaker

speaker must send clear, organized, understandable message

general role of listener

must attend to message, interpret it, respond, and ask for clarification if not understanding

abstracting

creating mental images and symbols of the external world

we use communication to make sense of the world around us

• communication used to develop, categorize, and modify perceptions of the world

• abstracting/language allows us to talk, think, and generally manipulate our internal world to enhance understanding

• intrapersonal communication (internal images) tested, verified, and modified through interpersonal communication

• sharing perceptions of the world with others maintains that our view is realistic and valid

we use communication to maintain a healthy sense of self

• as social creatures we need acceptance and belonging to feel we fit in and have worth

• gives a sense of how others see and value us

• self-worth validated and supported from others

• acceptance sought from reference groups

we use communication to bind us socially

• builds relationships and sense of society

• relationship defined by type of communication

• maintains connection with others

• facilitated by scripts

script

• socially prescribed topics and dialogues for casual, socially necessary communication

• few simple phrases to fulfill obligation to acknowledge others, demonstrate other-value

• once script is played out, conversation can branch out, or script is exhausted and conversation dies

• even if conversation ends script is harmless and acceptable

we use communication to share information and to persuade others

• communicate to share/access global knowledge base

• time-binding: knowledge accumulates over years through records and documentation, expanding rapidly

• persuasion: can influence each other

persuasion in society

• economic culture (advertising)

• political culture (stances, voting, influence policy)

• influence worldwide events

interpersonal persuasion

• everyday imposing wants/thoughts onto others to see the world the same as we do

  • imposing viewpoint: choice for dinner, whether song/show is good

intrapersonal persuasion

• self-persuasion

• weight options and making decisions in act of debating oneself to follow best course of action

communication success is:

• rare: so complex with so many components

  • always many inhibitors for success and opportunities for miscommunication

  • must listen carefully, speak clearly, take time for understanding

communication occurs:

verbally and nonverbally

communication package

anything about us that has communication value: verbal + nonverbal

verbal communication

• language: words, meaning, syntax, grammar

• 7% of package

nonverbal communication

• non-language variables: vocal traits, gestures, posture

• 93% of package

• true expression of emotional state

communication is:

continuous: always communicating something whether verbal or nonverbal, blend of intentional or unintentional messages, even through silence/absence

intentional messages

sent deliberately and purposefully

unintentional messages

those the sender is unaware of sending; unconscious

communication has:

• ethical implications: how we choose to communicate/present information has ethical considerations

• choosing between right and wrong, being truthful and fair, respectful, responsible

• unethical communication threatens quality of communication and well-being of individuals/society

ethics

• set of standards to which we hold ourselves and others accountable

• some communication choices are inconsistent with an ethical approach

communication is culturally:

• specific: language varies from culture to culture

• different languages, dialects/pronunciation of same language

• nonverbal communication differs

co-culture

• identifiable group with their own unique traits operating within the larger culture

  • English language across US

communication reflects:

• personality: make assumptions about personality by their communication; part of how we perceive others

  • assumptions help make quick decisions and reduce uncertainty as long as it’s not extreme (stereotyping)

egocentric

assuming others think, use language, and generally see the world as we do

sender-based communication

• sender acts egocentrically

• assumes they always communicate properly for everyone, and any failures are receiver’s fault

• does not adapt or change because they believe they are correct

sender-based listener

assumes they interpret message as intended and does not think they might misinterpret or misunderstand

receiver-based communication

• sender considers receiver to adapt to diversity more effectively

• acts in provisional manner: assuming they need to consider how to communicate specific message in the best way to specific receiver

• knows interpretation will vary; what works for one won’t work for everyone

provisionalism

everyone initially thinks egocentrically, but then they take a step back and ask if their message is sent appropriately for audience/or their interpretation is what the speaker intended

receiver-based listener

• considers if interpreted message is how the speaker intended

• works to offset misunderstandings/misinterpretations

self-reflexive communication

ultimate goal: thoughtfully making choices about each situation and choosing most appropriate communication to increase chance of success; adaptable to receiver