Speech Chapters 1-3

The Nature of Communication

• Understanding Communication: Communication is a process through which we express, interpret, and coordinate messages with others. It involves sending and receiving messages effectively.

Key Elements of Communication

• Encoding: The creation of messages via verbal language, nonverbal gestures, and facial expressions. This is the process of converting thoughts into communicable messages.

• Decoding: The interpretation and understanding of received messages. It is crucial for the receiver to accurately understand the intended meanings of the encoder's messages.

• Feedback: The response given after receiving and understanding a message, completing the communication loop. This ensures clarity and shared understanding.

Types of Communication

• Intrapersonal Communication: Communication within oneself; involves self-talk and personal reflection.

• Interpersonal Communication: One-on-one communication; the exchange of messages between two people.

• Small Group Communication: Communication involving 3-10 people, such as in study groups or family dinners.

• Public Communication: One sender addressing a large audience (more than 10 people), such as a lecture or speech.

• Mass Communication: Communication through media where the intent is to reach a large audience, including television, radio, and social media.

The Communication Process

• Transmission of Messages: Effective communication requires selecting appropriate channels (e.g., face-to-face vs. text message) that determine the richness of communication.

  • Rich Communication: More information can be conveyed through face-to-face conversations compared to emails or texts.

  • Limited Communication: Texts and emails have constraints on expression, making them less effective for conveying emotions.

Interference in Communication

• Physical Noise: Distractions in the environment that hinder communication (e.g., loud sounds or poor reception).

• Psychological Noise: Internal distractions that affect understanding (e.g., stress or personal thoughts).

Communication Models

1. Linear Model: A one-way process where the sender encodes a message, transmits it through a channel, and the receiver decodes it, accounting for potential noise.

2. Interactive Model: Same elements as the linear model but includes feedback as both the sender and receiver take turns.

3. Transactional Model: Recognizes that both parties simultaneously act as sender and receiver, emphasizing the continuous nature of communication.

Key Communication Principles

• Communication is Purposeful: Every act of communication has a clear intention or purpose.

• Communication is Continuous: We are always communicating, even in silence or inactivity (nonverbal communication).

• Communication is Irreversible: Once messages are sent, they cannot be unsaid; consequences must be faced.

• Communication is Situated: Context affects how we communicate; behavior changes depending on the environment.

• Communication is Indexical: Attempts to measure our relationships through communication styles.

  • Feedback Types: Complimentary feedback grants control to the other person, whereas symmetrical feedback pushes back on their requests.

The Perception Process

• Attention & Selection: Choosing what to focus on from the multitude of stimuli.

• Organization: Simplifying or finding patterns in the information gathered to make sense of it.

• Interpretation: Assigning meaning through either automatic processing (quick recognition) or conscious processing (thoughtful analysis).

Social Perception

• Self-Concept: Our perception of our skills and abilities, influenced by both actual and ideal selves (who we are vs. who we want to be).

• Self-Esteem: How much value we place on ourselves based on our self-concept.

• Distortions in Self-Perception:

  • Incongruence: Discrepancy between self-perception and reality.

  • Self-Fulfilling Prophecies: Expectations that lead to behavior aligning with those expectations.

  • Filtering Messages: Ignoring feedback that contradicts our self-perception.

  • Media Influence: Media can create unrealistic standards for personal expectations.

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

• Purpose: To diminish uncertainty in social interactions by gathering information.

• Impression Formation: We assess others' physical traits and behaviors to make judgments about suitability and character.

• Attribution: The reasoning we assign to behaviors can be situational or dispositional, influencing how we understand actions in social contexts.

Cultural Communication

• Intercultural Communication: Involves interactions between individuals from different cultural backgrounds, recognizing unique communication styles influenced by cultural norms and values.

• Cultural Identity: Our self-concept is affected by membership in various cultural groups (e.g., nationality, ethnicity, gender).

• Co-Cultural Groups: Different cultural identities (race, gender, socio-economic status) influence communication styles and expectations.

The Seven Dimensions of Culture

1. Individualism vs. Collectivism: Difference in valuing personal achievement versus group cohesion.

2. Context: High context (reliant on background for cues) vs. low context (explicit communication).

3. Monochronic vs. Polychronic Time: Time orientation affecting task completion and punctuality.

4. Uncertainty Avoidance: Comfort level with uncertainty in situations.

5. Power Distance: How society handles power differences and authority.

6. Masculinity vs. Femininity: Gender roles and their expectations within a culture.

7. Long-Term vs. Short-Term Orientation: Focus on immediate results vs. future planning and persistence.

Conclusion

• Effective communication is critical in all interactions and understanding the nuances involved can enhance personal and professional relationships.