CST Chapter 1 Notes

CST 110 teaches communication skills for daily living and work; covers perception, self-concept, self-disclosure, listening and feedback, nonverbal communication, and other skills; examines mass media, public speaking, interpersonal, intercultural, and small group communication.
Field viewed as the study of oral and aural communication; public speaking is one facet of a larger discipline; goal is to develop hard skills and soft skills for careers.
Classic settings: Interpersonal Communication, Small Group Communication, Public Speaking; newest setting: Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC).

Interpersonal Communication: one-on-one or small-scale interactions; aims to reduce uncertainty; communication occurs in everyday encounters (e.g., with friends, servers, colleagues).
Small Group Communication: several individuals working on a task; goal is task completion; ideal group size often cited as $5$ ; equal participation and a sense of belonging aid effectiveness.
Public Speaking: one-to-many; sender bears more responsibility for clarity and structure; audience feedback (facial cues, questions) helps adjust delivery; goal is transmission of information.
Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC): communication via computer technologies (texts, email, social media, video conferencing); rapid evolution affects connectivity, relationships, attention spans, and social dynamics; benefits include long-distance connection and cost savings; drawbacks include echo chambers and reduced casual interaction.

Definition: the transactional process of using symbolic language to stimulate shared meaning.
Not purely linear or circular; multiple messages flow simultaneously; some messages are independent, some are feedback.
Key ideas: mutual responsibility for success; sender and receiver both influence and decipher messages; context shapes meaning.

$1$ . To make sense of the world around us; language enables internal thought and external expression; testing perceptions with others.
$2$ . To maintain a healthy sense of self; belongingness and acceptance from reference groups.
$3$ . To bind us socially; building and maintaining relationships across a spectrum of connections; scripts facilitate casual social interaction.
$4$ . To share information and influence others; time-binding across generations; persuasion in advertising, policy, and everyday choices.
Additional concepts: scripts (common casual-dialogue patterns) and time-binding (sharing knowledge across generations).

1. Success is rare: due to complexity and potential barriers; careful listening and clear speaking help increase understanding.
2. Verbal and nonverbal: a communication package; verbal ~ $7\%$ and nonverbal ~ $93\%$ in some emotional expressions (Mehrabian).
3. Communication is continuous: one cannot not communicate; both intentional and unintentional messages are sent.
4. Ethical implications: ethical standards guide truthful, fair, responsible, and respectful communication (NCA Credo).
5. Culturally specific: language and nonverbal cues vary across cultures and co-cultures; effective communicators adapt.
6. Reflects personality: perceptions of others’ traits are influenced by communication behavior; beware stereotyping while recognizing patterns.
7. Sender-based vs Receiver-based communication: egocentric vs provisional approaches to tailoring messages to receivers.
8. Self-reflexiveness: the ultimate goal; consciously adapt communication to different contexts and receivers.

Sender-Based: ego-centric; assumes its own way of communicating fits all audiences; tends to blame the listener for miscommunication.
Receiver-Based: considers the specific audience; anticipates misunderstandings; adapts message for the receiver; aims for clearer, more effective exchange.
Self-reflexive communicators shift focus to the receiver to improve outcomes across diverse contexts.

Definition: thinking through and choosing the most appropriate communication method for a given situation; assess dynamics and adapt accordingly without changing personal values.
Example focus: medical professionals adapting language to patients with different ages, languages, education levels, and cultural backgrounds.

Time-binding: the ability to share information across generations; language and symbols enable recording, transmission, and accumulation of knowledge.
Reference groups: individuals or groups whose approval is especially valued and sought for validation.
Belongingness and Acceptance: fundamental interpersonal needs driving our communication strategies.
Scripts: socially prescribed dialogues (e.g., "Hi, how are you?"), enabling smooth, obligation-driven social interaction.

Language and nonverbal behavior vary across cultures and co-cultures; effective communicators respect differences and seek common ground.
Ethical communication: a responsibility to be truthful, fair, and respectful; unethical practices threaten relationships and communities.
Regional and linguistic variation (e.g., terms for soft drinks: coke, soda, pop) illustrate cultural diversity in everyday language.

Wide range of tools: texting, email, social media, discussion boards, video conferencing.
Benefits: connectivity, collaboration, reduced travel costs, rapid information sharing.
Challenges: shorter attention spans, echo chambers, reduced small-talk practice, potential isolation.
Real-world impact: Arab Spring (2011) demonstrated the power of online networks to mobilize collective action; contemporary movements continue to leverage CMC for organization and communication.

Interpersonal Communication
Small Group Communication
Public Speaking
Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)
The Transactional Theory of Communication: definition, transactional, process, symbolic language, shared meaning, mutual responsibility
The Purposes of Communication: to make sense, to maintain self, to bind socially, to share information/influence
Scripts, Time-binding, Reference Groups, Belongingness, Acceptance
Sender-Based vs Receiver-Based Communication; Self-Reflexiveness
Ethical and Cultural Considerations