introtocomm

Human Communication

• Definition: From the Latin term "Communis" which means to have something in common.

Nature of Communication

• Communication as a Process: Ongoing dialogic relation between two or more persons exchanging signs to create common meaning and understanding.

Functions of Human Communication

I. Psychological Functions

• Communication as a Tool: Facilitates mental processes and social functioning.

II. Socio-Cultural Aspects

1. Surveillance: Monitoring and understanding the environment.

2. Interpretation: Making sense of information and experiences.

3. Transmission/Socialization/Enculturation: Passing on cultural values and norms to individuals.

4. Entertainment: Providing enjoyment through various forms of expression.

Characteristics of Communication

1. Continuous: Ongoing and active process.

2. Personal: Involves subjective experiences.

3. Circular: Involves feedback loops among communicators.

4. Irreversible: Once spoken or transmitted, it cannot be taken back.

The Communication Process: Elements and Models

Berlo's S-M-C-R Model of Communication

• Components:

  • S: Sender ^Encodes

  • M: Message ^Encodes

  • C: Channel ^Decodes

  • R: Receiver ^Decodes

• Key Factors: Attitude, Communication Skills, Knowledge, Social System, and Culture influence exchange.

Harold Laswell's Model

• Elements:

  • Who: Control

  • Says What: Content

  • In which Channel: Medium of communication

  • To whom: Target audience

  • With what effect: Outcomes/Effect of the message.

Rogers & Kincaid Convergence Model

• Purpose: Emphasizes the interactive nature of communication to reach mutual understanding.

• Direction: Horizontal communication between participants.

• More conversation = More mutual understanding = More communication

Elements of Communication

1. Sender: The originator of the message.

2. Receiver: The individual receiving the message.

3. Message: The content conveyed.

4. Channel: The medium used for transmission (human voice, technical device).

5. Encoding: The process of converting messages into signs.

6. Socio-cultural Background: Influences how both sender and receiver interpret messages.

7. Feedback: Responses from the receiver can prompt further action from the sender.

Levels of Communication

1. Intrapersonal Communication: Internal dialogue and personal reflection.

2. Interpersonal Communication: Direct verbal/non-verbal exchanges between two people, not mediated by technology.

   • Significance: Forms the basis of all social communication and symbolic interaction. Symbolic Interaction

3. Group Communication: Interaction among multiple individuals sharing a common goal and roles.

   • Small Group Communication: Involves immediate direct feedback within a manageable number of participants without tech mediation.

   • Public Communication: Speaking to larger audiences, often in structured formats (e.g., lectures).

   • Organizational Communication: Processes and structures within businesses or groups.

4. Mass Communication: Communication directed at large audiences, often through technological means. Immediate interaction between sender and receiver is almost/not possible at all.

   • Characteristics: Complex formal organization, public-oriented, caters to diverse audiences, allows indirect interactions.

Characteristics of Mass Communication (McQuail)

1. Requires formal organization.

2. Directed at large, often heterogeneous audiences.

3. Public in nature.

4. Audience is heterogenous.

5. Communicators engage with audiences in a public capacity.

6. The relationship between communicator and audience is addressed persons known only in the public role as communicators.

7. Audiences are unique and collectively distinguished.

8. Tends to be monologic in delivery, with limited two-way interaction.