The Nature of Communication

➔ Humans were created for communication.

➔ Communication is the means by which we make sense of the world

around us and the means by which we connect to the world around us.

Communication comes from the Latin word “communis”

meaning “common.”

➔ Communication may also be seen as a process by which we assign

and convey meaning in an attempt to create shared understanding.

Laswell Communication model (1948)

1. Who - communicator

2. Says What - Message/ information

3. Which - media channel

4. To whom - audience/receiver

5. With what- effect/to be endorse

Complex

There are so many factors in play in the communication process.

● Each communication scenario is unique and impossible to

duplicate.

● Communication is irreversible.

● Achieving one’s purpose in communicating remains to be a

challenge.

Relational.

● We communicate differently with people depending on our

relationship with them.

● Our relationship with people and how we communicate with

them may rest on the length of time we have known them or on power

relations.

Meaning.

• Social construction of meaning involves the way in which

symbols take on meaning in a social context or society as they are

used over time.

• These include both verbal and nonverbal modes of

communication

Transactional.

• It involves an exchange.

• Reasons for communicating may vary but we always

communicate to get something out of it.

Both presentational and representational

• When communicating, a person displays a particular version of

the information being communicated (presentation) and uses specific

words, gestures, or images to convey the information (representation).

• Information has been processed according to that person’s own

intellect, level of expertise, personal experiences, background, and

world view.

Continuous.

• Effects go beyond the time that the communicators actually

communicate.

• Impressions, judgments, and thoughts are committed to

memory, can readily be remembered, and can have bearing on future

interactions.

Communication skills can be learned.

• Communication skills can always be improved.

• Good communication skills are honed through practice and

continuous learning and periodic evaluation of your skills.

Communication is culture-related.

All information communicated is processed through the cultural

lens of the communicator.

Communication also creates and reinforces cultural influences.

Communication makes use of frames.

• A communicator’s background, gender, religion, world view and

so many unique traits play a crucial role in how they perceive and

respond to communication,

• A communicator should consider the receiver if they want to

achieve shared meaning

Unavoidable.

• We cannot NOT communicate.

• Even silence means something.

• People communicate constantly even when they do not intend to communicate.

Levels of Communication

• Intrapersonal Communication

Any form of conscious self communication is considered as intrapersonal communication. When used effectively, this can provide the right balance, orientation, and theme of judgment when communicating with the

outside world.

• Interpersonal Communication

May be dyadic or triadic or may involve a few individuals communicating with one another in close personal proximity in informal settings Vital to the formation of personal relationships.

• Group Communication

Covers situations that involve larger numbers of people like in a

class, meeting, or forum.

Vital to the building of esprit de corps or teamwork

• Mass Communication

Involves a communicator using a mass medium to communicate with

infinitely large audiences

Impersonal but with messages often based on shared audience

demographics to get a response from them

Purposive Communication

• Communicating with purpose

• Results-oriented communication

• Communicating strategically and mindfully in order to achieve

specific, desired results.