SPC 1017 Test 1 Study Guide Chapter 1 Intro to Communication Characteristics of Communication Communication is a process and is always changing o Definition process where people use symbols verbal nonverbal conscious unconscious intentional unintentional to generate meanings Never ending and cumulative Impossible to not communicate because communication can be unintentional Everything affects everything else o Decided at Stanford University in the 1940 s Elements of Communication o Sender Receiver sending and receiving information simultaneously Always share meaning o Message made up of ideas feelings to be shared No common language No message o Symbols something that stands for something else 2 Types Verbal vs Nonverbal 1 Verbal words to describe symbols o Concrete tangible objects Ex a chair o Abstract ideas Ex hunger 2 Nonverbal communicating without words and instead using body language or vocal tones o Comprises 90 of sent messages o Channels route travelled by a message Primary channel in Face to Face Communication Sight and Sounds o Feedback response to a message Strategic Flexibility changing a message in ways to produce a desired result Sensory Acuity paying attention to all elements in the communication environment o Noise interference that keeps a message from being understood or heard 2 Types External vs Internal 1 External physical Noise comes from the environment o Ex lawn mower outside and hot weather 2 Internal psychological Noise occurs in the mind of the sender receiver o Ex thoughts o Semantic Noise caused by people s emotional reaction to words Ex racism 3 Physiological Noise caused by personal functional problems o Ex Hearing problem Measures to Prevent Internal Noise Exercise Good Nutrition Sleep o Setting context environment in which all communication occurs Often shows who has power in a relationship The Internet and the Model of Communication Synchronous Communication talk that occurs at the same time without delay o Ex Chat Rooms and instant messaging o Facebook is a form of asynchronous communication Communication Model o OLD MODEL Send Recieve Recieve Send Not simultaneous and very stop go o NEW MODEL Send Recieve Message Send Recieve Simultaneous and incorporating both sending and receiving Communication is a Transaction Three Principles of Transactional Communication at all times o 1 People are constantly sending messages simultaneously o 2 Communication has a past present and future No such thing as insignificant communication o 3 Participants in communication play certain roles Roles parts you play or way you behave with others Ex Athlete and student Levels of Communication 1 Intrapersonal language use thought in the mind o You are your own sender receiver o Closest form of communication o Ex Thoughts and daydreaming 2 Interpersonal communicating on a one to one basis o Usually informal o Ex Events between two people like a date 3 Small Group Communication small number of people meet to solve a problem o Usually more formal and has a higher chance of confusion than interpersonal o Ex Group of 5 7 people all working towards a goal 4 Computer Mediated Communication CMC a wide range of technology used to facilitate communication and a sharing of information o Occurs over a single channel o Brings people to a level playing field o Ex Instant Messaging and Emails 5 Public Speaking speaker sends a message in the form of a speech to an audience o Setting is formal o Involves little verbal response o Ex President s State of the Union Address 6 Mass Communication o Largest form of communication o Ex Feedback from the public 7 Intercultural Communication between people of different cultures o Involved in all other levels of communication o Culture ever changing values and traditions created and shared by a group of people Ex Amish and Japanese Cultures o Co Culture people who are part of a larger culture but also a smaller group with different values Ex African Americans Communication Competence Communication Competence Consists of o 1 Knowledge o 2 Skill o 3 Motivation Taken from Interpersonal Communication Competence By Spitzberg and Cupach Strategic Flexibility SF expanding your communication repertoire to enable the best skill for a situation o Six Steps of SF 1 Anticipate Forecasting is key 2 Asses Alertness is key 3 Evaluate Accuracy is key 4 Select 5 Apply Appropriateness is key Relevance is key 6 Reassess and Reevaluate Accurate careful observation is key Creativity capacity to synthesize vast amounts of info and wrestle complex problems o Increase creativity by believing you can do it Introduction to Active Open Mindedness Active Open Mindedness AOM a tool that can be used to apply to master knowledge Communicating Effectively o Questions to Consider 1 Which communication skills am I most likely to need 2 Which communication skills am I most lacking 3 How can I get communication practice 4 Where can I get help 5 What timetable should I set Ethical Communication o 1 Protect freedom of expression and tolerance for criticism o 2 Strive to understand others communication before evaluation o 3 Condemn communication that degrades others o 4 Commit yourself to courageous communication to stand up for convictions o 5 Accept Responsibility Chapter 2 Self Perception Communication Perception how you look at others and the world around you Self Concept how you see yourself o Limitations of a Bad Self Concept 1 Sets limits on behavioral possibilities 2 Limits taking risks to be something you don t think you are 3 Forces you to perceive the world as one full of failures o The Self is mobile personal self reflexive and subject to change o Consists of 3 components 1 Reflected Appraisals info received about yourself from others Created by George Mead and Cooley Most comes from what people say o What they say is what you become Affects girls more than boys Scripts lines given to you by others to speak that shape your life o Ex Say thank you to the nice woman Self fulfilling Prophecies events or actions that occur because you and others have expected them o Ex Teacher says You are a good student So you act as one 2 Social Comparisons comparing your abilities to others for self evaluations Boys do this more than girls Ex Comparing test grades o Weight is the primary dissatisfaction with females 2 Types Upward vs Downward o 1 Upward takes a psychological risk Ex Comparing yourself to people who are better than you o 2 Downward playing it psychologically safe but