Purposive Communication - Lesson 1: Communication Processes, Principles & Ethics

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from Lesson 1 on communication processes, principles, and ethics.

Communication

The process of transferring information and meaning between senders and receivers using written, oral, visual, or electronic media.

Sender

The participant who initiates the communication and establishes the purpose of the message.

Receiver

The intended recipient of the message; in simultaneous communication a person can be a transceiver who sends and receives.

Message

The information, thoughts, and feelings that a communicator expresses to another, which can inform, persuade, or prompt action.

Channel/Medium

The means by which a message is delivered (verbal, written, nonverbal, or technological); examples include air, text, or digital media.

Feedback

The receiver’s response that indicates how the message was interpreted, understood, and felt.

Context

The circumstances, environment, and conditions that affect how messages are sent and received.

Noise

Anything that hinders shared understanding in communication.

External Noise

Noise originating from the surrounding environment or external factors.

Internal Noise

Self-related distractions or cognitive processes that interfere with message processing.

Semantic Noise

Misalignment of meanings between sender and receiver for verbal or nonverbal signals.

Frame of Reference

One’s own value system, culture, worldview, expectations, and experiences that shape interpretation.

Verbal Communication

Communication using spoken and written symbols.

Written Communication

Verbal communication in written form; useful for permanence, complexity, or formality.

Spoken/Oral Communication

Communication delivered verbally; generally more fluid and immediate than writing.

Non-verbal Communication

Signals beyond words, including visual, audible, and movement cues that convey meaning.

Kinesics

Study of body movements; includes gestures categorized as adaptors, emblems, and illustrators.

Adaptors

Self‑touching behaviors reflecting arousal or anxiety.

Emblems

gestures with direct meaning (e.g., thumbs up); culturally variable.

Illustrators

Gestures that accompany and illustrate the verbal message.

Head Movements

Movements like nodding; can signal acknowledgement and varies across cultures.

Posture

Body position signaling attitudes such as interest, dominance, or informality.

Eye Contact (Oculesics)

Use of gaze to regulate interaction, show engagement, and convey information.

Facial Expressions

Motions of the face conveying emotions such as happiness, sadness, fear, or anger.

Haptics

Study of communication through touch; includes functional, social, friendship, and love levels.

Chronemics

Study of how time influences communication (biological, personal, physical, cultural time).

Polychronic Time

Flexible time orientation; multitasking and less strict scheduling.

Monochronic Time

Strictly scheduled, one task at a time.

Proxemics

Study of how space is used in communication and what space says about relationships.

Intimate Space

0 to 8 inches; closest personal distance.

Personal Space

Approximately 18 inches to 4 feet.

Social Space

Approximately 4 to 10 feet; typical for interactions among acquaintances.

Public Space

Greater than 10 feet; used for addressing large or unknown audiences.

Body Territory

Personal space the individual maintains with others.

Primary Territory

Personal living spaces (home, car) claimed by an individual.

Secondary Territory

Shared or semi-private spaces (school, office) with entry norms.

Public Territory

Shared public spaces (parks, markets) accessible to many.

Formal Communication

Communication governed by explicit guidelines, channels, and systems in organizations.

Informal Communication

Casual, unstructured communication between friends and family.

Intentional Communication

Messages created with a specific purpose and aware of their impact.

Unintentional Communication

Messages not meant to be sent or not intended for a particular recipient.

Frames

Cognitive structures that help people understand their roles and expectations in conversation.

Presentational vs Representational

Communication is not neutral: presentational shows how facts are presented; representational conveys the underlying facts.

Transaction

A joint process where participants create shared meanings and maintain relationships through communication.

Clarity

Communication should be understandable; avoid fuzzy language and jargon.

Concreteness

Use specific, tangible facts and evidence to support messages.

Courtesy

Politeness and goodwill in approach and address.

Correctness

Accurate grammar and language that convey precise meaning.

Consideration

Account for the recipient’s background, needs, and context when communicating.

Creativity

Craft engaging messages through innovative structure and word choice.

Conciseness

Be brief and direct; avoid unnecessary words.

Cultural Sensitivity

Respect for others’ cultures in crafting and delivering messages.

Captivating

Make messages engaging to command attention and elicit responses.

Ethical Communication

Communication guided by truthfulness, fairness, responsibility, integrity, and respect.

Socrates-Hobbes-Locke Social Contract Theory

Idea that members of society have unwritten obligations to act responsibly and uphold societal norms.

Aristotle's Nicomachean Ethics

Virtue is the mean between extremes; ethical behavior requires the right balance.

Golden Rule

Treat others as you would like to be treated; foundational ethical guideline.

Honesty

Not deceiving others; presenting information truthfully and transparently.

Greatest Good Principle (Mill)

Actions should aim to maximize overall well-being and minimize harm.

Commitment Principle

Fulfill promises and obligations associated with your communications.

Situation Ethics

Moral principles are context-dependent and adaptable to the situation.

Plagiarism

Presenting another’s work as your own without proper citation.

Selective Misquoting

Deliberately altering quotes or omitting context to mislead.

Misrepresenting Numbers

Manipulating statistics or data to distort the truth.

Distorting Visuals

Altering visuals to mislead or deceive audiences.