Communication: Models, Contexts, Modalities, and Nonverbal Cues

This set covers core concepts from the lecture notes: definitions of communication, etymology, verbal vs nonverbal, multimodal communication, theoretical models, elements and barriers, speech contexts and styles, nonverbal codes (kinesics, proxemics, haptics, chronemics), and communicative strategies.

What is the definition of communication?

The process of exchanging information, ideas, thoughts, or feelings—verbal and non-verbal—with the aim of understanding; it is flexible, speedy, ever-changing, and requires active participation, as any change in an element can affect the whole process.

What is the etymology of the word 'communication'?

COMMUNIS: common/shared; COMMUNICARE: to make common or to share.

What are the two broad types of communication?

Verbal (spoken or written words) and Non-verbal (tone, facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye contact, etc.).

Name a key principle of effective communication related to clarity.

Clarity: Make your message easy to understand.

Name a key principle of effective communication related to length.

Conciseness: Be brief but complete.

Name a key principle of effective communication related to organization.

Coherence: Organize your message logically and consistently.

Name a key principle of effective communication related to politeness.

Courtesy: Be polite and respectful.

What is active listening?

The intentional process of receiving and interpreting a message with attention, empathy, and feedback.

What is feedback in communication?

The process of giving and receiving responses to messages to ensure understanding.

How can you show you’re listening in a conversation?

Nod, maintain eye contact, and provide verbal affirmations.

How can you improve your communication skills?

Practice empathy and emotional intelligence; seek feedback; participate in discussions, public speaking, or communications workshops.

What does multimodal communication refer to?

Using more than one mode to communicate meaning beyond written text.

What are the five modes of communication?

Linguistic/Alphabetic, Visual, Aural, Gestural, and Spatial.

Describe the Linguistic/Alphabetic mode.

Language or text used in written or spoken form; includes word choice, grammar, tone, and style.

Describe the Visual mode.

Anything the audience can see, including images and visuals.

Describe the Aural mode.

Sound-related elements: music, tone of voice, volume, pitch, effects.

Describe the Gestural mode.

Gestures and body language that reinforce spoken language.

Describe the Spatial mode.

Arrangement or organization of elements in space—proximity and layout.

Why do theoretical anchors and multimodal strategies matter?

They help craft audience-centered, purposeful, engaging, and platform-adaptable communication.

Who is the Writer/Speaker in the communication process?

The originator of the message who plans how and why to communicate and aims to be understood.

Who is the Audience in the communication process?

The intended receiver whose needs, background, and expectations must be considered.

What is the Message in the communication process?

The actual content or idea being communicated; should be clear, organized, and meaningful.

What is Context in the communication process?

The situation or setting—social, cultural, physical, and technological—that influences understanding.

What is Purpose in the communication process?

The goal the writer or speaker wants to achieve with the audience (Inform, Persuade, Entertain, Express).

Define 'To Inform' as a purpose of communication.

Giving facts, explanations, or instructions.

Define 'To Persuade' as a purpose of communication.

Convincing the audience to agree or act.

Define 'To Entertain' as a purpose of communication.

Providing enjoyment or emotional engagement.

Define 'To Express' as a purpose of communication.

Sharing personal feelings or thoughts.

What are the basic Elements of the Communication Process?

Sender, Message, Encoding, Media, Decoding, Receiver, Noise, Feedback.

What is Encoding in communication?

Converting ideas into communication symbols (words, pictures, gestures).

What is Media in communication terms?

The channel or medium through which encoded messages are transmitted (written, spoken, digital, etc.).

What is Decoding in communication?

Translating encoded messages back into understandable language.

Who is the Receiver in the communication process?

The person who receives the message (e.g., students in a classroom).

What is Noise in communication?

Any barrier that hampers the transmission or interpretation of the message.

What is Feedback in communication?

The receiver's response to the sender to confirm understanding or request clarification.

What is the Linear Model of communication?

One-way communication where the sender transmits a message to the receiver with little or no feedback.

What does Berlo’s SMCR stand for?

Sender, Message, Channel, Receiver—emphasizing coding/decoding and alignment of sender and receiver.

What is the Shannon-Weaver Model primarily about?

Information theory; transmission of messages through a channel, often using machine encoding/decoding.

Describe the Interactive Model of communication.

Two-way process with messages and feedback circulating between sender and receiver; feedback is part of the process.

Who proposed Schramm’s model and what’s its key idea?

Wilbur Schramm; communication is a two-way path with message continually passing between sender and receiver, involving a field of experience.

What is Dunn and Goodnight’s model known for stressing?

Interdependent process; communication as a dynamic system with People, Message, Encoding, Decoding, Channel, Feedback, Context, and Noise.

What is Barnlund’s Model known for emphasizing?

Feedback and shared meaning; includes channel, environment, communicators, and noise as parts of the message.

What is Wood’s Model of communication?

A continually changing process; simultaneous communication; influenced by history, context, and shared experience.

What are Hamilton’s Elements in his model?

Person A, Person B, Stimulation/Motivation, Encoding/Decoding, Frame of Reference, Code, Channel, Feedback, Environment, and Noise; both senders and receivers.

What is a Frame of Reference in communication?

The communicator’s background and experiences that influence encoding/decoding.

What are the three codes in communication?

Language (verbal), Paralanguage (vocal), Non-verbal cues.

Define Paralanguage.

Non-verbal elements of speech that convey meaning beyond words (rate, pitch, volume, quality, intensity, pauses, stress, and silence).

What is Kinesics?

The study of body movements, facial expressions, gestures, posture, eye contact, and related cues.

Name a type of kinesic cue and its meaning.

Facial expression is universal; gestures vary by culture; posture conveys confidence or defensiveness.

What are Artifacts in nonverbal communication?

Objects or items used to communicate messages about identity, status, or group affiliations.

Define Proxemics.

The study of how space is used in communication.

What are the four distance zones in Proxemics?

Intimate (0-18 inches), Personal (about 18 inches to 4 feet), Social (4-12 feet), Public (8 inches to end of vision/hearing).

What are the five types of Haptics?

Functional/Professional, Social/Polite, Friendship/Warmth, Love/Intimacy, Sexual/Arousal.

What is Chronemics?

The use of time in communication—punctuality, willingness to wait, speed of speech, and conversational tempo.

What is Speech Context?

The environment in which communication happens, including participants, purpose, setting, and formality.

What are Intrapersonal communications?

Communication with oneself; sender and receiver are the same person; internal discourse, solo vocal discourse, and solo written discourse.

What is Interpersonal communication?

Between and among people; ranges from impersonal to very personal.

What is Dyadic communication?

Two-person communication; includes Conversation (informal), Dialogue (deep, mutual understanding), and Interview (formal, purposive).

What is Small Group communication?

Interpersonal communication within a group of 3-20 people; includes knowledge-gaining, personal-growth, social, and problem-solving groups.

What is Public communication?

Public speaking to inform or persuade a broad audience.

What is Mass communication?

Communication through media like television, radio, newspapers, magazines, internet.

What is Speech Style Frozen?

Fixed or static language, rarely changing, used in legal or ceremonial contexts.

What is Speech Style Formal?

Structured, rule-bound language used in professional settings; usually one-way.

What is Speech Style Consultative?

Mutually accepted formal structure; one party seeks information or advice.

What is Speech Style Casual?

Informal, relaxed language with slang—group/social context.

What is Speech Style Intimate?

Private language with close family or friends; less formal articulation.

Define Phonetics & Phonology.

The study of speech sounds (phonetics) and their systematized organization in a language (phonology).

What is Morphology?

Word formation and modification processes in a language.

What is Syntax?

Rules and patterns for arranging words into meaningful sentences.

What are Semantics & Pragmatics?

Semantics: meaning of words and sentences; Pragmatics: language use in context and social meaning.

What is Nomination in communicative strategies?

One speaker introduces a topic to be talked about or to continue interaction.

What is Turn-taking in communicative strategies?

Managing who talks when to keep conversation flowing.

What is Topic-control in communicative strategies?

One speaker guides the conversation by asking questions or steering the topic.

What is Topic-shifting in communicative strategies?

Introducing a new topic or changing the topic deliberately or unintentionally.

What is Repair in communicative strategies?

Clarification or repetition to fix breakdowns in understanding.

What is Termination in communicative strategies?

Concluding the conversation with signals (verbal or nonverbal) or extended exchange.