Introduction to Effective Communication Flashcards

Vocabulary flashcards covering the key definitions, principles, process components, and strategies of effective communication, listening, and technical writing.

Human Communication

An interactive process during which a sender shares ideas and information with a receiver using verbal and non-verbal techniques, so that parallel understanding is achieved.

Verbal Communication

Communication involving the use of speech or words (in written or oral formats such as conversations, reports, emails, letters, radio, and speeches) to convey meaning, thoughts, or share ideas.

Non-verbal Communication

Communication involving visual or non-verbal cues—such as facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, body movements, space, and touch—without the use of words.

Six Components of the Communication Process

The six interactive steps of communication: conceiving the message, encoding the message, transmitting the message, receiving the message, interpreting the message, and providing feedback.

Encoding (Communication Process)

The stage in the communication process where the sender converts a conceived message or idea into words, symbols, or gestures.

Decoding / Interpreting

The stage in the communication process where the receiver processes and interprets the received message to understand its meaning.

Feedback (Communication Process)

The response sent back by the receiver to the sender, confirming reception and interpretation of the message.

Barriers to Effective Communication

Factors that distort or destroy messages, categorized into presentational, psychological, physiological, perceptual, physical/environmental/technological, linguistic, intellectual/cultural, organizational, and personal factors.

Sender's Role in Overcoming Barriers

Actionable steps taken by the sender: taking the receiver more seriously, developing and delivering messages skillfully, and monitoring and accepting feedback.

Receiver's Role in Overcoming Barriers

Actionable steps taken by the receiver: orienting oneself to receiving the message, practising good listening, and giving constructive feedback.

Purposes of Technical and Business Writing

The two main goals of technical and business writing: to inform and to persuade / argue.

Seven Principles of Technical/Business Writing

Guidelines for writing: 1. Know your Purpose, 2. Know your Audience, 3. Choose and Organise Content, 4. Write Clearly and Precisely, 5. Use Good Page Design, 6. Think Visually, 7. Write Ethically.

Page Design Principles

Visual presentation techniques in writing, including headings, headers and footers, lists and informal tables, typographical emphasis, and white space.

Visual Communication Principles in Writing

Methods of visual integration: showing objects using photographs and drawings, showing processes using flowcharts, and showing data using tables and graphs.

Ethical Writing Practices

Standards requiring writers to avoid hiding unfavourable data, exaggerating favourable data, making false implications, plagiarising, fabricating data, or lying.

Listening

An active form of behaviour in which individuals attempt to maximise their attention to and comprehension of what is being communicated to them through the use of words, actions, and things by one or more people in their environment.

Active Listening

As defined by Brantley and Miller, a process requiring concentration, relating what is heard to prior knowledge, and analysing the speaker's signals for a deeper understanding of the message.

Effective Listening Techniques

Practices to improve listening: concentrating, repeating key words and phrases, keeping a close eye and ear on the speaker, staying alert for pauses and rhythm changes, asking questions, providing regular feedback, monitoring non-verbal communication, and transcribing notes.

Young Girl or Old Woman Illusion

A classic optical illusion demonstrating perceptual differences in human interpretation.

Autism Spectrum Wheel Diagram

A visual diagram contrasting the misconception of a linear (low to high functioning) spectrum with the multi-faceted wheel representation of traits like sensory sensitivities, stimming, executive functioning, and emotional regulation.