Lecture 1 new - Communication Theory

Communication Theory

Understanding Communication

• Outcome: Understanding the communication process

What is Communication?

• Definition:

  • Communication is a relational process for creating and interpreting messages that elicit a response (Griffin, 2009).

  • It is a systemic process where individuals use symbols to create and interpret meanings (Wood, 2004).

  • Involves generating meaning through verbal and nonverbal symbols and signs in varying contexts.

Key Components of Communication

Sender

• The person who sends or encodes a message.

• Formulates purposeful messages intentionally to express verbally and/or nonverbally.

• Communication can be intentional as well as unintentional.

Communicator/Sender/Source

• Unintentional communication occurs without the sender's awareness.

• Unintentional messages often manifest as non-verbal communication.

Message

• What is conveyed:

  • Spoken or written (verbal/text)

  • Non-verbal (images, movement, body language)

  • Spontaneous or planned

  • Formal or informal

Channel

• The medium used to convey the message from sender to receiver.

• It serves as the physical means of sending the message.

Receiver

• The recipient of the message.

• Active participant who pays attention to understand and interpret the message consciously.

Decoding and Feedback

• Decoding involves receiving, interpreting, and understanding a message.

• Feedback is the audience's response, critical for effective communication as it creates a two-way flow of information.

Essential Elements of Communication

• Components include:

  • Message

  • Sender

  • Receiver

  • Channel

  • Context

  • Noise (disruptions affecting message flow)

Functions/Purpose of Communication

Why Communicate?

• Inform: To convey information clearly and accurately.

• Persuade: To convince others of a particular viewpoint (e.g., advertising).

• Request: To ask for help or action from others.

• Share: To exchange thoughts, ideas, and experiences.

• Entertain: To engage the audience through stories, humor, or performances.

Context/Environment

• When and Where:

  • Physical situation (e.g., lecture room)

  • Environmental conditions (e.g., temperature, cleanliness)

  • Social situation (relationships among participants, informal/formal)

  • Emotional situation (feelings, attitudes, shared knowledge)

Communication Style/Register

• Communication can occur in both formal and informal styles.

Communication Models

• Models represent various theories of communication.

• Purpose: To provide frameworks for understanding communication.

Linear Model of Communication

• Describes the flow of information from sender to receiver.

Lasswell's Model of Communication

• Advantages:

  • Simplicity

  • Applicability to various communication types

  • Effectively addresses the impact of communication

• Disadvantages:

  • Does not consider noise and feedback

  • Too linear

Shannon and Weaver's Linear Model

• Advantages:

  • Simplicity has led to further research

  • Fits electronic media like radio/television

• Disadvantages:

  • Emphasizes sender over receiver

  • Passive receiver role

  • Not suitable for all communication types.

Berlo’s Source-Message-Channel-Receiver Model

• Advantages:

  • Considers various factors affecting communication

• Disadvantages:

  • Complexity

  • Neglects feedback and barriers

  • Requires equal understanding between participants.

The Transactional Model

• Advantages:

  • Equal importance of senders and receivers

  • Considers communicators' environments

• Disadvantages:

  • Issues arise if senders and receivers lack common ground.

The Interactive Model

• Advantages:

  • Features sender-receiver exchanges and experiences

• Disadvantages:

  • Feedback may not be immediate, resulting in potential confusion.

Osgood and Schramm’s Circular Model

• Advantages:

  • Emphasizes the dynamic nature of communication

  • Participants swap roles continuously

• Disadvantages:

  • Assumes shared understanding of signs and rules

  • Excludes autocorrection communication.

Conclusion

• Understanding communication theory is essential for effective interaction in various contexts.