comm. chapter one

chapter one terms

adapt

adapt

to modify one’s behavior to accommodate what others are doing

communication

the process by which people use signs, symbols, and behaviors to exchange information and create meaning

relational needs

the essential elements people seek in their relationships with others

instrumental needs

practical, everyday needs

model

a formal description of a process

action model

a model describing communication as a one-way process

source

the originator of a thought or idea

encode

to put an idea into language or gesture

message

verbal or nonverbal elements of communication to which people give meaning

channel

a pathway through which messages are conveyed

receiver

the party who interprets the message

decode

to interpret or give meaning to a message

noise

anything that distracts people from listening

interaction model

model describing communication similar to the action model but now with feedback and context

feedback

verbal and nonverbal responses to a message

context

the physical or psychological environment in which communication occurs

transaction model

model describing communication as a process where everyone is a sender and receiver at the same time or interchangeably

channel-rich contexts

communication environments involving many channels at once (e.g. face to face, facetime, video)

channel-lean contexts

communication environments involving few channels at once (e.g. posts, memos, fax)

symbol

a representation of an idea

content dimension

literal information that is communicated by a message

relational dimension

signals about the relationship in which a message is being communicated (e.g. confiding in someone you trust)

metacommunication

communication about communication

explicit rules

rules that have been clearly stated

implicit rules

rules that have not been clearly articulated but are nonetheless understood (e.g. “bless you”)

intRApersonal communication

communication with oneself

intERpersonal communication

communication that occurs between two people in the context of their relationship

small group communication

communication with approximately 3-20 people

public communication

communication with above 20 people

mass communication

communication to a large audience that is transmitted by media

communication competence

communication that is effective and appropriate for a given situation

self-monitoring

awareness of one’s behavior and how it affects others

cognitive complexity

the ability to understand a given situation in multiple ways (e.g. see both sides)

ethics

principles that guide judgments about whether something is morally right or wrong