The Process of Communication & Barriers to Effective Communication

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts from The Process of Communication and Barriers to Effective Communication.

Sender

Source of information in the communication process.

Message

Information, including thoughts, feelings, and suggestions, that is being conveyed.

Encoding

Conversion of information into words, actions, or symbols to send a message.

Channel

Medium or means by which a message is transmitted (e.g., face-to-face, video, email).

Decoding

Interpretation of the information by the receiver.

Receiver

Recipient of the information.

Feedback

Response of the receiver that indicates understanding or lack thereof.

Context

Setting or circumstances in which communication takes place that affect its meaning and flow.

Barrier

Obstacle that interferes with the transmission or understanding of a message.

Noise

Interference that disrupts the transmission or reception of a message.

Physical noise

External factors like loud sounds or physical impairments that affect perception (e.g., hearing problems).

Physiological noise

Biological factors such as illness or fatigue that affect processing.

Semantic noise

Misunderstandings caused by language, jargon, or ambiguous terms.

Psychological noise

Mental states or emotions that impede attention or interpretation.

Temporal barrier

Differences in time zones or schedules that hinder timely communication.