Chapter 1: Introduction to Communication Studies

What is communication?

Communication is the process of generating meaning by sending and receiving verbal and nonverbal symbols and signs influenced by multiple contexts.

Why is human communication different from animal communication?

Humans can use abstract symbols to communicate about things beyond their immediate reality, including the past, future, beliefs, art, and theories.

What was the “Talking Era”?

The period from about 180,000 BCE to 3500 BCE when talking and gestures were the primary forms of human communication.

What was the Manuscript Era?

The period beginning around 3500 BCE when humans shifted from primarily oral communication to written communication.

What are the major communication eras?

Talking Era, Manuscript Era, Print Era, Audiovisual Era, and Internet Era.

What was the Print Era?

1450–1850, marked by the invention of the printing press and mass production of written texts.

What was the Audiovisual Era?

1850–1990, marked by technologies such as the telegraph, telephone, radio, and television.

What is the Internet Era?

The period from 1990 to the present, characterized by the rapid spread of the Internet and digital media.

What is rhetoric?

Rhetoric is the use of communication to speak well and persuasively, especially persuasive communication.

What are Cicero’s five canons of rhetoric?

Invention, arrangement, style, delivery, and memory.

What does invention mean in rhetoric?

Using evidence and arguments to think about things in new ways.

What does arrangement mean?

The organization of a speech.

What does style mean?

The use of language.

What does delivery mean?

The vocal and physical characteristics of a speaker.

What does memory mean?

Techniques used to retain and repeat large amounts of information.

What happened in 1914 that was important to communication studies?

Ten speech teachers broke away from the National Council of Teachers of English and formed the National Association of Academic Teachers of Public Speaking, which eventually became the National Communication Association.

What are the five main forms of communication?

Intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, public, and mass communication.

What is intrapersonal communication?

Communication with yourself through internal vocalization or reflective thinking.

What are some purposes of intrapersonal communication?

Self-reflection, processing emotions, rehearsing what to say, calming yourself, building self-concept, and thinking through situations.

What is interpersonal communication?

Communication between people whose lives mutually influence one another.

What does interpersonal communication help us do?

Build, maintain, and end relationships while meeting instrumental and relational needs.

What is group communication?

Communication among three or more people interacting to achieve a shared goal.

How is group communication different from interpersonal communication?

Group communication is generally more intentional, formal, and task-focused.

What is public communication?

A sender-focused form of communication in which one person typically conveys information to an audience.

What is mass communication?

Communication transmitted to many people through print or electronic media.

Give examples of mass communication channels.

Television, websites, blogs, social media, radio, podcasts, newspapers, magazines, and books.

What is one major difference between mass communication and interpersonal communication?

Mass communication generally does not have an immediate verbal and nonverbal feedback loop.

Why are communication models useful?

They simplify communication and provide visual representations of its different elements and processes.

What are the three models of communication?

Transmission, interaction, and transaction.

What are encoding and decoding?

Encoding is turning thoughts into communication. Decoding is turning communication into thoughts and meaning.

What is a channel?

A sensory route through which a message travels, such as sight or sound.

What is the transmission model?

A linear, one-way model in which a sender intentionally sends a message to a receiver.

What is noise?

Anything that interferes with a message being sent, received, or understood.

What is environmental noise?

Physical noise that interferes with communication, such as people talking in a crowded room.

What is semantic noise?

Interference that occurs when participants do not understand a symbol, word, language, or meaning.

What is the interaction model?

A model in which participants alternate between sender and receiver roles and communicate through messages and feedback.

What is feedback?

A message sent in response to another message.

What is physical context?

Environmental factors such as room size, temperature, lighting, and layout that influence communication.

What is psychological context?

Mental and emotional factors, such as stress, anxiety, and emotions, that influence communication.

What is the transaction model?

A model in which communicators simultaneously send and receive messages while creating social realities within social, relational, and cultural contexts.

What are the three major contexts in the transaction model?

Social, relational, and cultural contexts.

What is social context?

The stated rules and unstated norms that guide communication.

What is relational context?

The previous interpersonal history and type of relationship between communicators.

What is cultural context?

Cultural identities and influences, such as race, gender, nationality, ethnicity, class, and ability, that affect communication.

What are the four spheres where communication is integrated into our lives?

Academic, professional, personal, and civic.

What is integrative learning?

Connecting what you learn in school to other classes, professional goals, and civic responsibilities.

Why is communication important professionally?

Employers highly value communication skills, including listening, writing, interpersonal communication, and problem solving.

What is civic engagement?

Working to make a difference in communities by improving quality of life, raising awareness, or participating in political and nonpolitical processes.

What are the four types of needs communication helps satisfy?

Physical, instrumental, relational, and identity needs.

What are physical needs?

Needs that keep our bodies and minds functioning and support survival and well-being.

What are instrumental needs?

Needs that help us accomplish tasks, achieve goals, get information, influence others, and receive support.

What are relational needs?

Needs that help us develop, maintain, and end social relationships.

What are identity needs?

Needs involving how we present ourselves to others and how we want to be perceived.

What is compliance-gaining communication?

Communication aimed at getting someone to do something or act in a particular way.

Name three compliance-gaining tactics.

Offering rewards, threatening punishment, using expertise, liking, debt, altruism, and esteem.

Why is communication considered a process?

Because it involves a continuous and dynamic sequence of verbal and/or nonverbal messages without a distinct beginning or end.

Is communication always intentional?

No. Communication can be intentional or unintentional.

What is reactionary communication?

Almost involuntary communication, such as saying “ouch” when you hurt yourself or screaming when frightened.

What is routine communication?

Common, habitual communication such as saying “thank you” or “excuse me.”

What is constructed communication?

Communication involving more conscious thought and intention, often serving informational, relational, and identity needs.

Why is communication irreversible?

Once a message has been communicated, it cannot truly be taken back or erased.

Why is communication unrepeatable?

Contexts constantly change, so even repeating the same words and actions will not recreate the exact same communication encounter.

Is meaning inherent in words?

No. Words are symbols whose meanings are learned, negotiated, and assigned by people and cultures.

What is phatic communion?

Scripted, routine verbal interaction intended to establish social bonds rather than exchange meaningful information.

Why do people use phatic communion?

It helps establish social connection and follows cultural and social norms.

What is communication ethics?

The process of considering and reflecting on whether our communication and actions are right or wrong.

Why can communication ethics be complicated?

Ethical decisions are often situational and contextual, and multiple choices may seem appropriate.

What are some principles emphasized by the NCA Credo for Ethical Communication?

Truthfulness, fairness, integrity, respect, freedom of expression, diversity of perspectives, tolerance of dissent, and responsibility for the consequences of communication.

What is communication competence?

Knowledge of effective and appropriate communication patterns and the ability to use and adapt that knowledge in different contexts.

What are the three main components involved in communication competence?

Knowledge, the ability to use communication skills, and the ability to adapt them to different contexts.

What factors can affect a person's communication competence?

Age, maturity, communication ability, mood, stress, personality, communication apprehension, social status, power, and cultural context.

What are the four stages of competence?

Unconscious incompetence, conscious incompetence, conscious competence, and unconscious competence.

What is unconscious incompetence?

Not realizing that you are communicating incompetently.

What is conscious incompetence?

Knowing what you should do but realizing that you are not doing it well.

What is conscious competence?

Knowing that you are communicating competently while you are doing it.

What is unconscious competence?

Communicating successfully without having to consciously think about being competent.

What is a mindful communicator?

Someone who actively processes information, considers different perspectives and contexts, and adapts to new communication situations.

Name some NCA communication competencies.

State ideas clearly, communicate ethically, identify communication goals, select appropriate media, manage misunderstandings and conflict, remain open-minded, and listen attentively.

What is communication apprehension (CA)?

Fear or anxiety experienced because of actual or imagined communication with another person or people.

What is public speaking anxiety?

A type of communication apprehension involving physiological, cognitive, and behavioral reactions to giving a presentation.

What are three approaches used to address public speaking anxiety?

Systematic desensitization, cognitive restructuring, and skills training.

What are some ways to reduce speaking anxiety?

Practice, prepare early, take deep breaths, visualize success, seek feedback, channel nervousness into motivation, and prepare thoroughly.