Effective Communication: Personal and Interpersonal Communication - Key Concepts Flashcards

Flashcards covering the key concepts from Module 7: Communication Processes in Personal and Interpersonal Communication, including interpretation, engagement, expression, encoding/decoding, context, biases, nonverbal cues, and strategies for improvement.

What is interpretation in communication?

The process of assigning meaning to verbal and nonverbal cues; influenced by factors such as background, culture, context, and perception.

According to Knapp and Hall (2010), what does tone in communication indicate?

Attitudes, emotions, and intentions of the speaker.

What are the components of meaning in face-to-face communication according to Mehrabian?

55% body language, 38% tone of voice, and 7% words.

What contexts can interpretation occur in within communication?

Personal and interpersonal contexts, including decoding text messages and interpreting nonverbal cues like a bored posture.

Name factors that affect message interpretation.

Background and culture, context (physical, social, cultural, temporal, psychological, linguistic), verbal cues, nonverbal cues, and perception.

What does Piaget's Schema Theory say about interpretation?

Schemas (units of knowledge from past experiences) guide interpretation; activation provides context and without a relevant schema interpretation can be ambiguous.

How do biases influence interpretation?

Biases shape perception by favoring information that matches one's beliefs, making engagement with opposing ideas difficult.

What is the role of context in interpretation?

The setting (physical, social, cultural, temporal, psychological, linguistic) that shapes how a message is understood.

What are verbal and nonverbal cues?

Signals in speech and body language (words, tone, gestures, facial expressions) that convey meaning.

Define engagement in communication.

Being present, attentive, and emotionally connected; includes cognitive, affective, and behavioral elements.

What constitutes cognitive engagement in communication?

Mental effort: active listening, full attention, clarifying questions, paraphrasing, identifying inconsistencies, relating to experiences, forming interpretations.

What constitutes emotional engagement in communication?

Empathy and the ability to share and understand others' feelings.

What constitutes behavioral engagement in communication?

Observable actions like eye contact, nonverbal gestures, posture, providing feedback, and sharing experiences.

What is expression in communication?

The process of turning internal thoughts, feelings, and intentions into perceivable messages; stages include ideation, encoding, and transmission.

What are the stages of the expression process?

Ideation (conceptualization), encoding (putting into words/nonverbal cues), and transmission (selecting a channel).

What are sender-related factors in the expression process?

Knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and communication skills that influence how a message is formed.

What are message-related factors in the expression process?

Clarity, content, organization, congruence of verbal and nonverbal cues, choice of medium, context.

What are receiver-related factors in the expression process?

The receiver’s background and expectations that influence interpretation.

What is encoding in communication?

Turning thoughts into messages using verbal and nonverbal cues; part of the expression process.

What is decoding in communication?

Interpreting and understanding the messages received; the receiver’s interpretive process.

Why is appropriate language important in encoding?

Clarity and effectiveness in conveying the message, reducing potential misunderstanding.

What is the role of feedback in communication?

Indicates the success of engagement; appropriate feedback demonstrates engagement.

What is the role of nonverbal cues in communication?

Reinforce and clarify the message; often convey more meaning than words alone.

What is the purpose of asking clarifying questions?

To ensure understanding and reduce misinterpretation during interaction.

What does it mean that communication is purposeful?

We have a specific communication goal, and our verbal and nonverbal cues should align with that goal.

What strategies help improve interpretation, engagement, and expression?

Active listening, paraphrasing, summarizing, empathy, focus, seeking feedback, using appropriate language and nonverbal cues, avoiding jargon, and managing biases.

What is bias patrol in the module activities?

Collect biased posts/comments and rewrite them to be inclusive and objective to practice responsible communication.

What are some guidelines for inclusive language?

Use gender-neutral language, use people-first language, avoid stereotypes, and be mindful of bias in statements.

How does culture and perception influence interpretation?

Culture and perception shape how messages are understood, as demonstrated by biases, schemas, and contextual cues.

What is the purpose of reflecting on one's communication skills?

Identify personal strengths and areas for improvement to enhance future communication performance.