Elements of Communication

All communication interactions share common elements or components that define the communication process. Understanding each element contributes to easier development of one’s own communicative abilities (Gamble & Gamble, 2013).

Communicators simultaneously send and receive messages; the roles of sender and receiver are not exclusive to a single person.
Sender/source: encodes and transmits a message.
Receiver: decodes and interprets a message.
Implication: effective communication depends on how well the sender encodes and how accurately the receiver decodes the message.

Messages refer to the content of the communicative act exchanged between source and receiver.
Both verbal and non-verbal messages convey information.
Examples of content types include: words, sounds, smells, gestures, facial expressions, etc.

Channels refer to the medium through which a message is sent.
We are multichannel communicators because messages are sent and received through many channels.
Classifications:
- Verbal: spoken or written language.
- Non-verbal: body language and other non-spoken signals.
Examples of channel types:
- Face-to-face interaction (e.g., job interview)
- Computer-mediated communication (email, Instagram, etc.)
- Text messaging (WhatsApp, etc.)
- Mass media (TV, video streaming, etc.)
Senses-based distinctions:
- Sound: auditory, includes intonation and surrounding sound.
- Sight: visual cues, looks, expressions.
- Taste: flavour-related cues when relevant to the message.
- Smell: olfactory cues (e.g., cologne, environment smell).
- Touch: tactile cues (e.g., a hug).

Noise is anything that interferes with or distorts communication.
Types of noise:
- External noise: environmental factors (e.g., loud sirens, disturbing odours, illegible handwriting, small fonts, popup ads, etc.).
- Physiological/internal noise: physical conditions of the communicator (e.g., sickness, fatigue, visual impairments, articulation problems, memory loss).
- Psychological noise: mental interference (e.g., wandering thoughts, prejudice, emotions).
- Semantic noise: misalignment in meaning systems between communicators; uncertainty about what words mean.
All communications contain some noise; it cannot be eliminated completely, but its effects can be reduced.

Context refers to the physical setting, time, and other situational factors that influence how people respond.
DeVito (2021) identifies four contextual dimensions:
1) Physical: tangible environment (e.g., meeting room, park, football field).
2) Social-psychological: relationships among communicators (e.g., status, friendliness/hostility, formality, seriousness or humor).
3) Temporal: time of day, time in history, and the message’s place in the sequence of communication events.
4) Cultural: beliefs, values, and behaviors shared by a group and passed down through generations.
Different contexts lead to different communication behaviors and expectations.

Feedback enhances or alters our subsequent behavior in communication.
Types of feedback:
- Positive feedback: reinforces, stops, or corrects/changes our behavior.
- Negative feedback: serves as self-monitoring of our own behavior during interaction.
- Internal feedback: responses that come from within the individual.
- External feedback: responses or information returned from others.
Both positive and negative feedback can originate from internal or external sources.
For effective communication, one must be attentive to both types of feedback and adjust accordingly.

Effects can be physical, cognitive, or emotional, and may occur in combination.
Cognitive effects: changes in attitudes, values, beliefs, and information processing (e.g., acquiring information from a class lecture).
Emotional effects: changes in feelings or emotional responses (e.g., joy, anger, sadness).
Physical effects: physiological or observable changes in behavior or actions (e.g., a change in how one acts toward a homeless person after a speech).
An example of a single message: a public speech on homelessness may simultaneously inform (cognitive), evoke emotional responses (emotional), and influence behavior (physical).
Combined effects: messages can produce a mix of cognitive, emotional, and physical changes, leading to actions such as arguing, changing attitudes, or choosing to refrain from engaging.
The overall effect of communication is the outcome that influences how communicators continue to interact in the future.

The model aligns with foundational communication principles: encoding/decoding, channel choice, noise management, context-sensitivity, feedback loops, and outcome evaluation.
Real-world relevance: effective messaging relies on selecting appropriate channels, minimizing noise, considering context, eliciting constructive feedback, and anticipating the potential effects on audiences.

When designing a message, consider the recipient’s context and choose the channel that best fits the situation.
Anticipate and mitigate noise (both internal and external) to improve message clarity.
Use feedback to adapt and improve future communications; balance positive and negative feedback from both internal and external sources.
Be mindful of the multidimensional effects of communication and how cognitive, emotional, and physical responses may interact.

Communication ethics involve respectful encoding/decoding to avoid manipulation; transparency about intent helps establish trust.
Awareness of context and feedback fosters responsible communication that respects recipients’ autonomy and perspectives.