The Fundamentals of Communication

Dawn Bartz

What are the advantages of

studying communication?

Why is this particularly important today?

● Communication is the process of using messages to generate meaning.

● It is an activity, an exchange, or a set of behaviors.

● Messages can be verbal or nonverbal.

● In order to be understood, the communication must be meaningful to the receiver of the communication.

The components of communication include:

The Channel is the means by which the message moves from the source to the receiver of the message

What are the different channels that we use to

communicate?

Are some channels more appropriate than others?

Provide examples of situations in which some

channels may be inappropriate for a

message.

Feedback is the receiver’s verbal and nonverbal response to the source’s message.

When feedback is provided, the source knows the message is received.

Even silence can provide feedback.

Code: systematic arrangement of symbols used to create meanings in the mind of another person or persons. Codes can be verbal or nonverbal.

[Example: “Stop” is a symbol that means danger.]

Encoding: translating an idea or thought into code.

Decoding: the process of assigning meaning to that idea or thought.

(Usually additional explanation is needed to arrive at a shared meaning in the communication process so feedback is essential.)

Noise interferes with the encoding and decoding processes.

● Loud sounds● Distracting sights● Unusual behavior● Mental noise (day

dreams, etc.)● Psychological

(worry)● Semantic (meaning)

The situation is the location where the communication takes place.

How can location impact communication?

● Intrapersonal (individual as speaker and listener)● Interpersonal (Dyadic and small group)● Public (Formal, large group 10+)● Mass Communication (invisible listeners)● Digital Communication (intimate or formal, small to large group)

Communication Types

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RatKhtboq2E

In successful communications, there is a sender and receiver as well as a clear message. It is very easy to misinterpret communications.

Communication is:

Activity