COMM 315 1nd EditionExam # 1 Study Guide Lectures: 1 - 6Lecture 1 (August 26)Most people spend about 80-90% of their waking hours communicating with people. Communication is the process of acting on information. To refine this broad definition, we can say that human communication is the process of making sense out of the world and sharing that sense with others by creating meaning through the use of verbal and nonverbal messages. Interpersonal Communication is a distinctive, transactional form of human communication involving mutual influence, usually for the purpose of managing relationships. The three essential elements of this definition differentiate the unique nature of interpersonal communication from other forms of human communication. 1. Interpersonal vs. Impersonal Communication- Impersonal Communication- a distinctive, transactional for of human communication involving mutual influence usually for the purpose of managing relationships2. I-It and I-Thou Relationships- I-It relationship- an impersonal relationship in which the other person is viewed an an “it” rather than as an authentic, genuine person. I-Thou relationship- occurs when you interact with another person as a unique, authentic individual rather than as an object or and “it” 3. Interpersonal vs. Other Forms of Communication Mass Communication- when one person communicates the same message to many people at once, but the creator of the message is usually no physically present, and listeners have virtually no opportunity to respond immediately to the speaker. (Radio and TV messages) Public Communication- when a speaker addresses an audience in person Small Group Communication- when a group of 3-15 people meet to interact with a common purpose and mutually influence one another. The purpose can be to solve a problem, make a decision, learn or just to have fun. In doing this, it’s also possible to communicate interpersonally with one or more individuals in the group Intrapersonal Communication- communication with yourself. (Thinking)Interpersonal communication involves mutual influence between individuals. Every interpersonal transaction influences us. The more “I-Thou” the communication, the better the quality of the interactions. Communication also helps individuals manage their relationships. A relationship is a connection established when you communicate with another person. When two individuals are in a relationship, what one person says or does influences the other person, just like in dancing. You initiate relationships with people you find attractive in some way. You are increasingly likely to use social media to connect with friends and manage your relationship.However, today, it’s more likely to use social media to manage relationships, but rarely used to create them. So whether it occurs online or offline, interpersonal communication helps you manage your relationships. Interpersonal Communication has several forms of importance to your everyday life. It can: 1. Improve relationships with family- you can learn to improve conflicts by learning to develop creative, constructive solutions to family conflicts if you understand what’s happening and can promote true dialogue with your spouse, partner, child, parent, brother, or sister. 2. Improve relationships with friends and lovers- for unmarried people, developing friendships and falling in love are the top rated sources of satisfaction and happiness in life. Most people between the ages of 19-24 report that they have had from 5-6 romantic relationships and have been “in love” once or twice. Interpersonal communication can offer an insight into behaviors, helping manage relationships. 3. Improve relationships with colleagues- You can’t always choose with whom you work with, so interpersonal communication is important to resolve conflicts that may occur and by doing so, you can reduce your stress at work. The ability to listen to others and create these resolutions are important to employers. 4. Improve physical and emotional health- research has shown that the lack or loss of a close relationship can lead to ill health and even death. Being childless can also shorten one’s life. Without companions and close friends, opportunities for intimacy and stress-minimizing interpersonal communication are diminished.Interpersonal communication is a complex process of creating meaning in the context of an interpersonal relationship. The most basic components of communication include these elements1. Source- the originator of the ideas and feelings expressed. The source encodes (translates ideas, feelings and thoughts into code) the message.2. Message- written, spoken, and unspoken elements of communication to which people assign meaning. Can be intentional (talking with a professor after class), unintentional (falling asleep in class), verbally (“Hello. How are you?), nonverbally (smile and a handshake) or written (these notes).3. Channel- the means by which the message is expressed to the receiver4. Receiver- the person(s) who interpret the message. Receivers decode (interpret ideas, feelings, and thoughts that have been translated into a code) the message and ultimately makes sense of the message. 5. Noise- anything that interferes with the message being interpreted as it was intended. Can be literal (phone ringing) or psychological (conflicting thoughts or stomach growling) 6. Feedback- a response to a message/request for clarification. Without feedback, communication is rarely effective. 7. Context- the physical and psychological environment for which communication is taking place.Lecture 2 (August 28)There are different models of the communication process1. Communication as Action: Message Transfer- a transferring of meaning. This is the oldest and most simple model. Communication takes place when a message is sent and received. Period. 2. Communication as Interaction: Message Exchange- More realistic than the action perspective, but it still has limitations. Emphasizes feedback and context. 3. Communication as Transaction: Message Creation- the most sophisticated and realistic model. Each element influences all of the other elements in the process at the same time.