PURCOM

Communication

process of sending and receiving messages

Purposive communication

communication done with a clear purpose

Sender / Source

the person or group who creates and sends the message

Encoding

turning an idea into words, signs, gestures, or symbols

Message

the information, idea, or feeling being communicated

Channel / Medium

the way the message is sent, such as face-to-face conversation, phone call, email, or social media

Receiver

the person or group who receives the message

Decoding

interpreting or making sense of the message

Feedback

the receiver’s response, which shows whether the message was understood

Noise / Barrier

anything that interrupts or affects the message, including physical sounds, unclear wording, emotions, or technical problems

Context

the situation, place, relationship, culture, and circumstances in which communication occurs

Linear model

communication moves in one direction, from sender to receiver. Feedback is not central.

Interactive model

communication goes back and forth; the receiver gives feedback, usually in turns.

Transactional model

people send and receive messages at the same time and influence each other. Context and nonverbal cues matter.

Verbal communication

uses language, whether spoken or written.

Linguistic signs

connect a form (such as a word or sign) with a meaning

Meaning

depends on words, context, culture, and the relationship between communicators.

Semantics

studies meaning in words and sentences

Syntax

refers to rules for arranging words into phrases and sentences

Phonology

studies the sound system of a language

Morphology

studies word structure

Pragmatics

studies how context affects meaning

Denotation

is a word’s direct or dictionary meaning

Connotation

is the feeling or association connected to it

Dialect

is a language variety associated with a region or social group

Register

the style of language used in a particular situation

Bow-wow theory

language began by imitating sounds in nature, such as animal calls

Pooh-pooh theory

language began from spontaneous emotional sounds, such as pain or surprise

Ding-dong theory

words arose from a natural connection between sounds and objects or ideas

Yo-he-ho theory

language developed from rhythmic sounds made during shared physical work

Ta-ta theory

speech developed from movements or gestures of the mouth and body

Gesture theory

gestures may have played an important role in early communication before or alongside speech

Intrapersonal

communication within oneself, such as thinking or self-talk

Interpersonal

communication between two people

Small-group

communication among a few people working or discussing together

Public communication

one speaker addresses an audience, such as a class presentation

Mass communication

messages are sent to large audiences through media such as television, radio, newspapers, or online platforms

Organizational communication

communication within or between organizations

Digital/virtual communication

communication through technology, such as chat, email, video calls, or online meetings

Verbal communication

uses words, either spoken or written

Oral communication

spoken words, such as conversations, speeches, and phone calls

Written communication

written words, such as letters, essays, emails, and text messages

Informative

shares facts or explanations

Expressive

communicates feelings, opinions, or personal reactions

Directive

asks or tells someone to do something

Phatic/social

builds or maintains social connection

Persuasive

attempts to influence beliefs, attitudes, or actions

Non-verbal communication

sends meaning without relying mainly on words. It can support, replace, emphasize, or contradict spoken messages

Kinesics

body movement, gestures, posture, and facial expressions

Proxemics

Refers to personal space and physical distance

Gestures

These are movements that communicate messages

Haptics

Refers to communication through touch

Chronemics

Refers to how people use and understand time

Eye-contact

can show attention and confidence

Silence

can mean different things

Repeating

reinforce

Complimenting

add details

substituting

replace words

regulating

manages the flow

emphasizing/accenting

highlighting words

contradicting

cues conflict

arbitrary

no natural connection

symbol

words and signs represent something

Rule-governed / structured

have patterns and rules

Productive / creative

can create

Dynamic / changing

changes over time

social

learned and used within community

Culturally influenced

reflects community

displacement

can talk about things not present, including the past, future, or imaginary situations

learned and acquired

people develop language

physical barriers

barriers like distance, loud noise, poor lighting, or an uncomfortable setting

physiological barriers

barriers like hearing difficulties, illness, fatigue, or speech-related difficulties

semantic/language barriers

barriers like unfamiliar words, jargon, different languages, or ambiguous messages

psychological barriers

barriers like stress, fear, anger, prejudice, or lack of confidence

cultural barriers

barriers like different values, customs, gestures, or communication styles

organizational barriers

barriers like unclear roles, complicated procedures, or poor information flow

technological barriers

barriers like weak internet, muted microphones, device problems, or platform errors

culture

shared way of life

diversity

presence of differences among people

cultural awareness

recognizing that cultures differ

cultural sensitivity

considering and respecting those differences

cultural competence

communicating and interacting effectively and respectfully across cultures

ethnocentrism

judging another culture using one’s own culture as the standard, often treating one’s own as superior

cultural relativism

trying to understand a culture within its own context instead of immediately judging it by another culture’s standards

stereotype

oversimplified belief about a group

prejudice

attitude or judgment, often negative, formed without enough knowledge

discrimination

unfair treatment of a person or group based on identity or perceived membership