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 o Decided at Stanford University in the 1940 s Everything affects everything else 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 O NEW MODEL Not simultaneous and very stop go Send Recieve Message Send Recieve Simultaneous and incorporating both sending and receiving at all times Communication is a Transaction Three Principles of Transactional Communication 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 interpersonal o Usually more formal and has a higher chance of confusion than 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 5 Public Speaking speaker sends a message in the form of a speech to an o Occurs over a single channel o Brings people to a level playing field o Ex Instant Messaging and Emails 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 4 Select Accuracy is key Appropriateness is key 5 Apply 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