communications

Communication

The process of creating and sharing messages between people Example talking with a friend about weekend plans

Human Communication

How people use words and actions to share meaning Example giving a compliment or asking for help

Intergroup Communication

Communication that happens between people from different groups Example a teacher speaking with students

Intercultural Communication

The exchange of messages between people from different cultures Example a tourist asking for directions in another country

Business Communication

The sharing of information in a workplace to achieve goals Example sending a report to your manager

Organizational Communication

The flow of messages and interaction within an organization Example coworkers emailing about a project

Public Communication

When one person speaks to an audience Example a politician giving a speech

Mass Communication

Messages delivered through media to large groups of people Example watching the evening news

Small Group Communication

Interaction between a few people working toward a goal Example classmates working on a group project

Intrapersonal Communication

Talking or thinking to yourself Example making a mental to do list

Interpersonal Communication

Direct communication between two people that builds connection Example chatting with your best friend

Impersonal Communication

Basic surface level exchanges without personal meaning Example saying thank you to a cashier

Interpersonal Relationships

Ongoing connections between people that develop over time Example long term friendships or partnerships

Interdependent Systems

Groups where each person’s actions affect the others Example teammates relying on one another in a game

Theory

An explanation that helps us understand and predict communication Example using a theory to study how arguments work

Maintenance Strategies

Actions people use to maintain or strengthen relationships Example sending daily texts to check in with a partner

Rule

A guideline for how people are expected to communicate Example raising your hand before speaking in class

Implicit Rule

An unspoken expectation understood by a group Example not talking loudly in a library

Explicit Rule

A clearly stated expectation for behavior or communication Example a teacher saying no phones allowed

Episode

A single communication event or interaction Example one conversation during lunch

Source

The person who creates and sends a message Example a speaker giving a presentation

Encode

Turning thoughts or ideas into words or actions Example writing an email to explain your idea

Message

The information or idea being communicated Example the words in a text message

Channel

The medium used to send the message such as voice or text Example a phone call or video chat

Receiver

The person who gets and interprets the message Example a student listening to a lecture

Decoding

Making sense of a message that was received Example understanding the meaning of a joke

Noise

Anything that interferes with a message being understood Example construction sounds outside during class

Physical Noise

Distractions in the environment such as sounds or movement Example loud music while studying

Feedback

The response a receiver gives back to the sender Example nodding while someone talks

Physical Environment

The surroundings where communication takes place Example a quiet coffee shop versus a noisy stadium

Message Transfer Model

A one way view of communication where a sender delivers a message Example a recorded announcement on a train

Message Exchange Model

A two way process where messages and feedback are shared Example texting back and forth

Message Creation Model

A process where people send and receive messages at the same time Example talking face to face and using gestures

Mediated Communication

Interaction that uses technology such as phones or computers Example sending an email

Computer Mediated Communication

Messages exchanged through computers or mobile devices Example chatting on Zoom

Electronically Mediated Communication

Communication that takes place using electronic devices Example posting on social media

Social Media

Online platforms where people create and share messages Example Instagram or Twitter

Visibility

How much a message can be seen by others especially online Example a public post versus a private message

Anonymity

Communicating without showing your identity Example posting without your name

Communibiological Approach

The idea that communication behaviors are influenced by biology Example being naturally outgoing

Social Learning Theory

The idea that people learn behaviors by observing others Example learning manners by watching parents

Inclusion

The human need to belong to a group Example joining a sports team

Control

The need to influence or guide others in interactions Example a leader assigning tasks in a group

Affection

The need to feel connected and cared for Example hugging a friend

Egocentric Communication

Communication focused only on yourself Example talking about yourself without listening

Other Oriented Communication

Communication that shows concern for another person Example asking how someone is feeling

Unconscious Incompetence

Not knowing you lack communication skills Example interrupting often without realizing it

Conscious Incompetence

Knowing you lack communication skills but not able to fix it yet Example realizing you struggle with eye contact

Conscious Competence

Communicating well but with effort and awareness Example carefully planning a speech

Unconscious Competence

Communicating well without needing to think about it Example easily holding small talk

Nonverbal Communication

Sending messages without words using body language and tone Example smiling when greeting someone

Immediacy Cues

Signals that show closeness and interest Example leaning forward while listening

Arousal Cues

Signals that show alertness or excitement Example raising eyebrows when surprised

Dominance Cues

Signals that show power or control Example standing tall with arms crossed

Emblems

Gestures with a specific meaning such as a thumbs up Example waving hello

Kinesics

The study of body movements and gestures Example analyzing someone’s posture

Illustrators

Gestures that add meaning to spoken words Example pointing while giving directions

Adapters

Small movements that help manage stress such as fidgeting Example tapping your foot during a test

Regulators

Nonverbal cues that control conversation flow such as nodding Example raising a hand to interrupt

Affect Displays

Expressions of emotion through face or body Example crying when sad

Facial Cues

Nonverbal messages shown through the face Example smiling to show friendliness

Oculesics

The study of eye contact and eye behavior Example making eye contact during an interview

Proxemics

The study of personal space in communication Example standing closer to a friend than to a stranger

Intimate Space

The closest space from 0 to 18 inches Example hugging your partner

Personal Space

The space from 18 inches to 4 feet used with friends and family Example talking to a close friend

Social Space

The space from 4 to 12 feet used for social interactions Example chatting at a small party

Public Space

The space over 12 feet used for public speaking Example giving a lecture in an auditorium

Haptics

The study of touch as communication Example shaking hands during a greeting

Appearance

How physical looks influence communication Example dressing formally for an interview

Artifacts

Objects that send nonverbal messages such as clothing or jewelry Example wearing a wedding ring

Physical Environment

The surroundings that affect communication such as lighting Example dim lighting in a theater

Vocalics

The use of voice features like pitch and speed to send meaning Example speaking slowly for emphasis

Olfactics

The use of smell in communication Example perfume creating an impression

Display Rules

Cultural guidelines for showing emotions Example not crying in public in some cultures

Gender Identity

How someone sees themselves in terms of gender Example identifying as female male or nonbinary

Cues Filtered Out Theory

The idea that online communication loses many nonverbal signals Example texting without tone of voice

Social Information Processing Theory

The idea that people adapt to build relationships online Example forming friendships through messaging apps

Semantic Triangle

A model showing how words connect thoughts to real things Example the word dog linked to the image of a dog

Symbol

The word or sign used to represent something Example the word tree

Thought Reference

The idea or meaning you connect to a word Example thinking of your own pet when hearing dog

Referent

The actual object or concept the word refers to Example a real dog in front of you

Phonological Rules

Rules about how words are pronounced Example pronouncing cat with a short a sound

Syntactic Rules

Rules about how words are arranged in sentences Example the order subject verb object

Pragmatic Rules

Rules about how context shapes meaning in communication Example saying can you pass the salt as a request not a question

Conversation Management

The way people take turns and guide conversations Example pausing to let others speak

Stage Hogging

Talking too much without letting others share Example dominating a meeting

Sapir Whorf Hypothesis

The idea that language shapes how people think Example a culture with many words for snow noticing more types of snow

Linguistic Relativity

The belief that different languages influence thought in different ways Example speakers of one language seeing colors differently

Denotative Meaning

The dictionary definition of a word Example dog meaning a four legged animal

Euphemism

A softer way to say something unpleasant Example saying passed away instead of died

Equivocation

Using vague language to avoid being direct Example saying maybe later instead of no

Allness

Believing one statement covers everything about something or someone Example saying all teenagers are lazy

Polarization

Thinking only in extremes with no middle ground Example calling something all good or all bad

Malapropism

Accidentally using the wrong word that sounds similar to another Example saying pacific instead of specific

Bypassing

Misunderstanding because people give different meanings to the same word Example one person saying soon and meaning five minutes while another means an hour

Restricted Code

A way of speaking understood only within a small group Example family inside jokes

Jargon

Special words used by a profession or group Example medical terms like MRI

Slang

Informal language used by a group or culture Example saying lit to mean exciting

Culture

Shared values and practices that shape how people live and communicate Example traditions in a community

Cultural Context

The cultural background that influences how messages are understood Example indirect speech being normal in one culture