COMS - Introduction to Human Communication

Definition

Communication is an active interaction between two or more individuals, not one-sided.
It is the process of information exchange through symbols, signs, words, and behaviors.
Includes verbal and nonverbal cues; conveys feelings and thoughts, not just information.

Symbol: verbal or nonverbal signifier representing an idea.
Channel: medium through which communication occurs (face-to-face, text, calls, video, etc.).
Noise: internal or external interference with the message.
- External: audible/visual distractions (noise, devices, background).
- Internal: migraine, anxiety, hunger, fatigue.
Feedback: response from listener to speaker; can be immediate or delayed.
Encoding/Decoding: turning thoughts into messages and interpreting received messages (part of richer models).

Linear model: one-way sender -> message -> receiver; lacks feedback and context.
Transactional model: communication is a dynamic process that creates social realities within social-relational-cultural context; includes simultaneous encoding/decoding and feedback; emphasizes context.

Social context: stated rules and unstated norms guide how we communicate (e.g., not cutting in line, library quiet, obey traffic signs).
Relational context: interpersonal history and the type of relationship affect how we communicate (friends vs. professors; relationship evolves over time).
Cultural context: identities and culture shape communication (demographics, nationality, language, region, campus role, etc.).

Symbols are signifiers that represent ideas (words, gestures, colors, emojis, etc.).
Examples:
- Words: carry meaning via convention (e.g., "projector", "flyer").
- Gestures: hand signs, body language (e.g., posture, facial expressions).
- Colors/signs: red = stop/warning, green = go, white flag = surrender.
- Emojis and text cues: evolving meanings depending on context.
Context matters: different cultures may assign different meanings to the same symbol.

Channel is the medium of delivery; examples include face-to-face, texting, video calls, email, social media.
Face-to-face is often the richest channel due to immediacy, personal connection, and full nonverbal cues.
Channel choice affects appropriateness for a message (e.g., breaking up: best face-to-face; if not possible, video; worst is text).

External noise: physical distractions (alarms, loud room, people walking by).
Internal noise: mental or physical states (headache, anxiety, fatigue, hunger).
Noise can disrupt sending or interpreting a message; even small disturbances matter.

Feedback is any response from the listener to the speaker.
Types: verbal (questions, interruptions) and nonverbal (nodding, head shakes, yawns, rolling eyes).
Immediate feedback occurs during the communication; delayed feedback occurs after (e.g., written comments, post-event reactions).

Small misalignments in any element (symbol, channel, noise, feedback, context) can disrupt communication.
The transactional model captures communication as a context-rich, ongoing process that generates social realities, not a blank slate.
Effective communication requires awareness of channel suitability, contextual norms, and feedback dynamics.