COMMS QUIZ 1

Communication

the transmission of a message from a source to a receiver

Basic Communication Process

A source sends a message, through a medium, to a receiver, producing some effect.

What is communication? (Osgood and Schramm’s model)

Message → Decoder, Interpreter, Encoder → Message → Decoder, Interpreter, Encoder.

Schramm’s Model Simplified

Explains how organisations decode, encode, and send messages to a mass audience, where receivers interpret and act upon them, providing delayed feedback.

Characteristics of Mass Communication

Media is the plural of medium, messages are encoded, once received messages are decoded (noise, medium, feedback).

Noise

Physical and Semantic.

Examples of Physical Noise

Brother standing in front of a TV set.

Semantic noise

Related to people’s knowledge level, communication skills, experiences, biases and prejudices.

Examples of Semantic noise

Distractions, differences in the use of the code, attitude towards the sender, attitude towards the messenger, emphasising the wrong part of the message.

Mass Communication

The process of creating shared meaning between the mass media and their audiences.

Interpersonal Communication

Message is highly flexible, between one person and another (or a few people in direct contact. Feedback is immediate/direct, and the result is highly flexible, personal relevant.

Mass Comm

Message is inflexible, mechanically produced, between an org and a large audience, the feedback is delayed/inferential, result is constrained. Creating shared meaning between the mass media and their audiences.

Culture

The learned behaviour of members of a given social group, shared within a group.

Oral culture

No written language, face to face communication.

Literate Culture

The ability to effectively and efficiently understand and use written symbols.

Media literacy

The ability to read, intercept, critically asses and productively use media.

Mass Medium

A technology that carries message to a large number of people

Bounded Cultures (co-cultures)

These groups often form around characteristics like ethnicity, religion, gender, or interests. They maintain unique identities while coexisting within the dominant culture.

Functions and Effects of Cultures

Identity Formation, Social Cohesion, Behavioral Guidelines, Communication, Adaptation, Conflict Resolution, Innovation

Technological detrminisim

Machines and their development that drive economic and cultural change.

The Gutenberg Revolution

Printing press, the impact of print, the industrial revolution. This movement marked the transition from hand-copied manuscripts to printed texts, initiated by a German inventor's creation of a movable type printing press.

The printing press

This device significantly increased the availability of books, reduced costs, and facilitated the spread of knowledge and ideas. It played a crucial role in the Renaissance, Reformation, and the Scientific Revolution, transforming communication and education.

The industrial revolution

This period saw the shift from hand production methods to machines, new chemical manufacturing, iron production techniques, and the rise of the factory system. It led to urbanization, changes in labor, and significant economic and social shifts, ultimately shaping modern society.

Elements of media literacy

Critical thinking, understanding the process of mass communication. Awareness of the impact of media on the individual and society.

Money

Shapes mass communication, people can either be consumers or products.