Basic Communication Model and Breakdown Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards based on lecture notes covering the basic communication model, sources of communication breakdown, selection of channels, and types of noise.

Sender

The person who comes up with ideas and information and wants to share them in the communication process.

Encoding

The process in which the sender organizes thoughts and ideas to create a message.

Receiver

The person who receives the message and attempts to interpret, align, and understand it.

Decoding

The process in which the receiver tries to interpret, align, and understand the message.

Feedback

The back-and-forth response that allows communication partners to confirm understanding or respond to a message.

Noise

Anything that can interfere with any element of the communication model, including the sender, receiver, encoding, decoding, or channel.

Physical Barriers

External environmental obstacles to communication, such as time zone issues, cultural differences, or geographical distances.

Emotional Barriers

Internal obstacles to communication caused by emotional states such as stress, anxiety, feeling overwhelmed, or defensiveness.

Information Overload

A communication barrier caused by receiving too many emails or messages, using inappropriate channels, or lacking message prioritization.

Face-to-Face Communication

A communication channel best for difficult conversations, conflict resolution, and performance reviews because it allows reading tone, nonverbals, and gestures.

Video Conferencing

A communication channel best for remote meetings, presentations, and global collaboration, offering visual cues and remote access.

Phone Communication

A channel best for quick, urgent, or shorter conversations that provides immediate feedback, though tone can be misinterpreted without body language.

Email

A communication channel best suited for documenting detailed information, providing a written record, and completing meeting follow-ups.

Text Messaging

A channel best for quick, simple updates and yes-or-no questions, offering fast and convenient communication.

Physical Noise

External sounds, such as rain, thunder, passing trucks, or loud music, that interfere with communication.

Psychological Noise

Internal mental and emotional factors that interfere with an individual's ability to communicate or focus.

Somatic Sound

A type of noise where the meanings and the words themselves are a problem, resulting in miscommunication.

Physiological Noise

Physical bodily states, such as being extremely tired, that make it difficult to concentrate during communication.

Technical Noise

Communication interference resulting from problems with the tools or technology being used.

Active Listening

A communication method involving asking questions for clarification to seek clarity, build trust, and demonstrate genuine care.