Purposive Communication: Types, Elements, and Processes

A set of vocabulary flashcards derived from the GE COMM Purposive Communication module covering definitions, elements, noise types, contexts, process steps, and communication principles of communication.

Communication (Julia T. Wood)

A process that is ongoing, always in motion, systematic, involves symbols, and focuses on meanings.

People

The participants in the communication act.

Message

The content of the communication act, which may be sent and received through verbal and nonverbal channels.

Channel

The means by which a message is communicated, such as a telephone for calling a friend.

Noise

Anything that interferes with or distorts the ability to send or receive messages; also known as a barrier in communication.

Physiological-Impairment Noise

Physical conditions such as deafness or blindness that can impede effective communication.

Environmental Noise

Noise that physically disrupts communication, such as loud speakers at a party or construction site sounds.

Semantic Noise

When a speaker and a listener have different interpretations of the meanings of certain words.

Syntactical Noise

Disruption in communication caused by mistakes in grammar, such as abrupt changes in verb tense.

Psychological Noise

Attitudes, such as significant anger or sadness, that make communication difficult or cause a loss of focus.

Context

The communication settings or environment that helps shape the interaction between individuals.

Physical context

The location of the communication episode.

Social context

Determines the type of participants and the nature of the relationship existing between communicators.

Psychological context

Refers to the moods and feelings each participant brings to the act of communication.

Cultural context

The shared beliefs, values, and behaviors of the participants that affect communication acts.

Feedback

The response received during the communication act.

Effect

The influences derived from the communication process.

Encoding

The process where the sender decides on assigning codes and creates a systematic arrangement of symbols to create meaning.

Transmission

The process by which the sender sends a message via thought symbols that are comprehensible to the participant.

Decoding

The process by which the receiver interprets or assigns meanings to the codes transported by the source.

Visual communication

A mode that uses signs, symbols, imagery, maps, graphs, charts, and diagrams to convey information.

Communication mode

The channel through which one uses to express their intent, such as face-to-face, video, audio, or text-based.

Intrapersonal Communication

Talking to oneself; also labeled as inner talk, inner monologue, self-verbalization, or self-statement.

Interpersonal Communication

An interactive exchange between or among interlocutors meant to establish or deepen relationships.

Transactional Communication

Interpersonal communication where the objective is to achieve something at the end of the conversation.

Extended Communication

Involves the use of electronic media such as teleconferencing, video conferencing, and Skype calls.

Organizational Communication

Communication that focuses on the role, systems, and protocols within an industrial or professional context.

Formal communication

Communication employing formal language delivered through lectures, research proposals, reports, and business letters.

Informal Communication

Personal and ordinary conversations with friends and family used to socialize and enhance relationships.

Informative Function

Communication used to share facts, information, and knowledge.

Instructive Function

Communication used by those in higher rank to tell people what to do, when, where, why, and how.

Persuasive Function

Communication used to influence the opinion of others to believe and accept a specific stand or claim.

Motivation Function

The use of positive language to entice and direct people to act and reach their objectives in life.

Aesthetic Function

The use of communication for pleasure and enjoyment.

Therapeutic Function

Also known as emotional expression, it is curative and serves to maintain good health by venting feelings.

Regulation or Control

The use of communication to maintain control over other people’s attitude and behavior.

Mutuality

An ethical principle of paying attention to the needs of others as well as your own.

The 200% Rule

An ethical rule where both the sender and the receiver have full responsibility to ensure the message is understood.

The 7Cs of Written Communication

The principles of being clear, concise, concrete, correct, coherent, complete, and courteous.