Communication: What and Why Lecture Notes

Vocabulary-style flashcards covering the definitions, characteristics, models, and contexts of communication from Chapter 1.

Communication

The process of creating meaning through symbolic interaction.

Symbol

Words, gestures, facial expressions, images, and body language that have meaning because people agree on them.

Process

A characteristic of communication indicating it is ongoing, continuous, and influenced by past interactions.

Symbolic Interaction

The method through which communication creates meaning using symbols.

Collaborative

A characteristic of communication where meaning is created together through sending, receiving, listening, and feedback.

Channel

The medium through which communication occurs, such as face-to-face, phone, text, email, social media, and video calls.

Irreversible

The concept that once a message is communicated, it cannot truly be taken back.

Transactional Model

A model where people simultaneously send, receive, and interpret messages, affected by context, channels, feedback, and noise.

Feedback

A component of communication where responses are given during the collaborative process.

Noise

Interference that affects communication, categorized as physical, psychological, physiological, and semantic.

Physical Noise

One of the four specific types of interference identified in the Transactional Model.

Psychological Noise

A type of noise mentioned in the Transactional Model that affects how people interpret messages.

Physiological Noise

A biological type of noise that can affect the communication process.

Semantic Noise

A type of noise related to the interpretation of symbols and words within communication.

Intrapersonal Communication

Communication with yourself, also known as self-talk.

Dyadic Communication

Communication occurring between two people.

Interpersonal Communication

Communication between people who recognize each other as unique individuals.

Small-Group Communication

Communication among three or more people working toward a common goal.

Organizational Communication

Communication that takes place within organizations.

Public Communication

Communication involving one person speaking to an audience.

Mass Communication

Communication through media to large audiences.

Communication Competence

The ability to communicate in a way that is both effective and appropriate.

Effective

One of the two necessary components of competent communication.

Appropriate

A requirement of competent communication that involves adapting to the situation and relationship.

Relational Competence

The principle that communication competence depends on the specific relationship and context.

Empathy

The quality of a competent communicator that involves considering other people's perspectives.

Cognitive Complexity

The ability of competent communicators to consider multiple perspectives.

Self-talk

The internal dialogue that constitutes intrapersonal communication.

Ongoing

A term describing the continuous nature of the communication process.

Common Goal

The unifying objective required for small-group communication.

Unique Individuals

How participants in interpersonal communication recognize one another.

Practice

One of the four ways mentioned through which communication competence can be learned.

Observation

A method of developing communication competence by watching others.

Education

A formal way to learn and improve communication competence.

Shared Meaning

The result of a successful communication process between individuals.

Face-to-face

A primary communication channel mentioned as a characteristic of communication.

Video Calls

A modern channel through which collaborative communication occurs.

Emojis

Symbols used in communication that have meaning because of mutual agreement.

Context

Environmental or situational factors that affect the simultaneous sending and receiving of messages.

Interpreting

The act of making sense of messages within the Transactional Model.

Media

The specific channel used for mass communication to reach large audiences.

Past Interactions

Historical factors that influence the current communication process.

Relational Adaptation

The act of adjusting communication based on the relationship between participants.

Gestures

Non-verbal symbols used to create shared meaning through symbolic interaction.

Body Language

A physical form of symbolic communication used to create meaning.

Facial Expression

A visual symbol that communicates something during the interaction process.

Sending and Receiving

The simultaneous actions performed by people within the Transactional Model.

Continuous

A descriptor for communication indicating it is a process influenced by past events.

Text Message

A specific example of a communication channel that involves symbolic interaction.

Images

Visual symbols that people agree upon to create shared meaning.