Chapter 1 An Introduction to Communication I Basic Components of Communication a SOURCE transmits encodes the message the deliverer b ENCODING c MESSAGE d DECODING the process of taking an already conceived idea and getting it ready for transmission making the ad commercial etc its meaning the stimulus that the source transmits to the receiver taking the stimuli that has been received and interpreting e NOISE anything not intended by the information source i Inhibits the receiver s accurate reception of the message 1 Different types of noise semantic physical external psychological physiological f FEEDBACK Messages the receiver sends back to the source i This is the component that makes communication a process 1 Some feedback is better than no feedback 2 Feedback can be positive or negative 3 Negative feedback can sometimes be more helpful than positive feedback ii Components of feedback 1 Verbal nonverbal 2 Immediate delayed 3 Critical supportive 4 Low monitoring high monitoring improvement II Defining Communication 5 Accurate a totally honest highly guarded feedback is important to communication a COMMUNICATION and interpretations of its meaning is difficult to define which leads to multiple definitions i The relational process of creating and interpreting messages that elicit a response 1 MESSAGES the core of communication study a message that can be studied regardless a TEXT of the medium i Ex A book film photograph broadcast 2 Creation of Messages indicates that content and form of a text are constructed invented planned crafted a The communicator is making a conscious choice of the message s form and substance Messages don t interpret 3 Interpretation of Messages themselves a words don t mean things people mean things b Polysomic Words are always open to multiple interpretations 4 Relational Process a Communication is always in flux i alters and influences relationships 5 Messages that Elicit a Response between people a If a message doesn t stimulate emotional or behavioral reaction it isn t communication any cognitive ii A social process in which individuals employ symbols to establish and interpret meaning in their environment iii The transmission of information ideas emotions skills etc by the use of symbols words pictures figures graphs etc iv Human communication has occurred when a human being symbol responds to a b Controversy Defining Communication i There are disagreements on the nature of communication ii Communication is less precise than other sciences 1 Thus the study of communication can be more complex iii Premise there is a difference between behavior and communication 1 Is there really a difference a Argument 1 only intentional behaviors are b Argument 2 Palo Alto Group You cannot not communicative communicate i All behavior is communication 1 Intentional or not ii Nonverbal communication is what makes communication continuous iii Effects of communication last forever III Characteristics of Communication a Social interactive between 2 people b Process on going and unending i Past interactions affect present interpretations ii Dynamic iii Continuously changing iv Helix dance c Symbolic concrete and abstract symbols i Interpretations may differ based on experiences d Miscommunication misinterpretation nature of communication occurs due to the dynamic i If everybody can have their own interpretation than it is only natural that the intended meanings get lost in translation e Environment the situation or context in which communication takes place IV Models of Communication A LINEAR MODEL i Shannon and Weaver telephone ii Basic model 1 Too much noise 2 Assumes that there is only one communication process only one source message in the 3 Feedback is missing component b INTERACTIONAL MODEL Schramm 1954 i Two way communication process ii On going process but no simultaneous roles source receiver 1 One can be sender OR receiver but not both is a key element iii Feedback iv FIELD OF EXPERIENCE receiver s culture experience and heredity of communication there is an overlap of the sender s and 1 Shapes how a message is sent and received c TRANSACTIONAL MODEL Barnlund 1970 i Simultaneous sender and receiver roles due to feedback ii Mutual responsibility to meaning sender receiver iii Communication is influenced by past experiences iv Interdependency of Messages each message builds on the effects of the last v The most accepted contemporary model Chapter 2 What is a Theory I Theory Defined a a set of systematic informed hunches about the way things operate i Core concepts of a theory 1 A Set of Hunches a Theories involve an element of speculation b They go beyond accepted wisdom c A developed theory well offer some sort of explanation to a claim as well as a scope to what the basis of the theory entails a hunches are well researched carefully thought 2 Hunches that are informed out and acted upon 3 Hunches that are systematic a Theories are a integrated system of concepts i Lay out multiple ideas while also specifying the relationship among the ideas ii Connects the dots b an abstract system of concepts and their relationships that help us understand a phenomenon i sense making II Understanding Theory Objective and Interpretive approaches to communication theory A THE OBJECTIVE APPROACH i Assumes that the truth is singular and is accessible through unbiased sensory observation 1 There s no room for interpretation either it is or it isn t ii Committed to uncovering cause and effect relationships iii Goal to explain and predict human behavior iv This approach is used by SOCIAL SCIENTISTS 1 Objective researchers explain as well as predict B THE INTERPRETIVE APPROACH i The linguistic act of assigning meaning or value to communicative texts 1 Assumes that multiple meanings or truths are possible ii RHETORICAL critics use this approach c Manning and MasterCard example i Objective Approach 1 Theories can t be proven until they are tested and researched 2 SOURCE CREDIBILITY THEORY people who are viewed as trusted experts will be more effective in their attempts to persuade the audience People form a bond with the role model IDENTIFICATION which affects the receiver s self image based off of the portrayed attractiveness of the role model 3 ii The Interpretive Approach 1 DRAMATISM THEORY composed of 5 parts each communication interaction is a Agent Manning b Scene everyday activities c Act coaching people d Agency using football terms and gestures e Purpose get people to use
View Full Document
Unlocking...