Communication Communication What is it 03 25 2014 o Communication Bristor a transactional process that involves creating shared meaning is a circular cumulative process Trying to convey something or get something you either take or receive o Plays a major role in the functioning of the family systems o Communication uses messages to engender meaning with others is critical to adaptability cohesions and functionality o There is a mutual influence between communication and family development skills for processing information and developing relationships with others o Communication is probably the most complex of human activities It occurs on many levels with multiple parts and interconnections o Systematic approach on communication helps us see the interactive process of communication within the physical cultural social economic political and technological environments that surround and influence it o Historical perspective on communication an examination of the general communication process is helpful before we look at the interactive environment of the family system o Communication an interactive process by which shared meaning is developed and managed o Communication is a symbolic transactional process that involves creating and sharing meaning through consistent patterns The purpose of shared meaning is to establish congruent messages between individuals within differing perceptions Communication in the family system Information is an important resource input that keeps the family system going o Information processing occurs by receiving information from the environment through perceptions and by conveying the message the message to others o The process of communicating and exchanging information is the key element in 1 maintaining the family system 2 fulfilling family functions 3 strengthening the family system to create a cohesive whole How We Make Meaning Verbally actually communicating through words Nonverbally body language gestures rolling the eyes facial expression eye contact movement posture appearance spatial distance are all symbols o These symbols must be mutually understood for the meaning to be o The receiver usually tunes into the stronger non verbal message EX families may use kisses or hugs as a symbol of love shared Interpersonally Systematically Communication Trans generational Communication a systems perspective o Communication is not random communication between family members is purposeful meaningful and critical to understanding human relationships o Communication is transactional when people communicate they exchange information with one another and this has a reciprocal and mutual impact on each of them o Impossible not to communicate Elements of Communication Communicator person that wants to transmit the message EX Sarah Jessica Parker s Boyfriend Appearance is considered to have a major impact on how people respond to each other EX when going for an interview dress professionally o Also communicate through our body language Brown suggests that these factors affect the communicator s credibility People who successfully communicate are able to read the people they are communicating to This involves focused attention EX a person who keep s asking you questions about your involvement on campus but looking at their watch to see what time it is sends conflicting signals Message the actual message EX wanting to break up Most of us focus on the actual message and occasionally the medium o The sender constructs this message from individual thoughts may include feelings thoughts ideas suggestions etc o Usually contains four parts if all parts are clearly articulated in a positive way the message is usually received and understood by the receiver 1 a subject telling who the action of the message is about 2 a predicate telling the receiver what is being done 3 an object showing to whom the action is directed 4 the content of the action o Medium actual voice text message Facebook e mail phone call etc EX the actual post it note The message that is received is often determined to a great degree by the medium in which it is presented Receiver the person receiving the message EX Sara Jessica Parker o Example Sex in the city video https www youtube com watch v vPhCvyb5jeQ o The communicator must understand the receiver to be aware of the context in which the receiver or audience will take in the message The same word gesture symbol may mean different things to different people o To ignore the receiver in the system is to neglect what probably is the most significant factor affecting successful communications 1 how the message is received 2 what response it generates How are ways of perceiving formed from social construction How are we a product of the culmination of our experiences Communication can break down we miscommunicate examples o Reading text messages wrong gossip and rumors etc How We Learn to Communicate Within the Context of the Family System Our physical state our sensitivity based on the human sensory of sight hearing touch taste and smell constitutes the first set of filters Our perceptions are also filtered through our family system and social systems through the way we use language our accepted ways of seeing and interpreting things and all the socially agreed upon conventions that standardize our world Place and space add contextual meaning and influence the way we create and understanding out of the information received through our senses o Although language may limit our meanings we are capable of broadening such perceptions through learning new language and being open to new experiences Communication Patterns that influence family meanings o 1 both verbal and nonverbal o 2 specific to the relationship within the system o 3 is reciprocal and interactive o 4 is often predictable o 5 contains both content and feeling messages o 6 defines relationships o 7 may be changed by forces within the system and o 8 may stimulate in that system Family of Origin Influences The specific experiences of growing up in a family system both a unique combination of personalities and the ethnic cultural heritages of the individuals in that group Each family seems to have some in house phrases or jokes that are known only to the group o People whose parents were expressive tend to be expressive themselves while parents who tend to be restrained have children who are restrained as adults The media especially television sends strong messages about families and depicts
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