COMMUNICATION CONCEPTS 1
Department of Development Communication &
Extension
Lady Irwin College
University of Delhi
Who and why are they communicating ?
What and how are they communicating?
Who are they communicating with?
ii) Defining Communication
• Communication has been derived from the Latin word
"communis", meaning to share.
• Effective communication occurs only if the receiver
understands the exact information or idea that the sender
intended to transmit.
• Two-way process of reaching mutual understanding, in
which participants not only exchange (encode-decode)
information but also create and share meaning.
….
• Keyton defines Communication as the process of
.transmitting information and common understanding from
one person to another.
• John Dewey: Communication is a process of sharing
experiences till it becomes a common possession. It
modifies the disposition of both the communicator and the
receiver interacting in communication and the shared
experience is the key element.
• According to Patri: Communication is the mode of
transmitting information, culture, mode, emotions,
thoughts, reactions as well as data in the form of symbols,
figures and diagrams. Good communication reduces
friction and promotes positiveness.
• Louis: Communication is the sum of all the things one
person does when he wants to create understanding in
the mind of another. It involves a systematic and
continuous process of telling, listening and understanding.
• Haiemann: Communication is the process of passing
information and understanding from one person to
another. It is the process of imparting ideas and making
oneself understood by other.
• Katz and Kahn: Communication is the exchange of
information and the transmission of meaning- it is the very
essence of a social system or an organization
All these definitions help us to understand the basic nature of
communication.
Nature of Communication-
•Communication is the Essence of Life- It
is a universal process
•Communication is a human activity
•Communication is purposeful
•Communication may be formal or informal
•Communication is a cultural process
•Communication is both an art and a science
•We use multiple methods to communicate
i) Communication is the Essence of
Life- It is a universal process
ii) Communication is a human
activity
• Communication is the very essence of all human activity.
• All human interaction is governed by communication.
iii) Communication is purposeful
• All communication has some purpose and is meaningful.
• The purpose may be personal or social gratification,
problem solving, decision making or even venting out our
emotions for that matter.
• All communication will lead to change and consequently
change affects our communication.
iv) Communication may be formal or informal F
O
We communicate in formal and infomal R
M
environments. A
L
• In formal environment we communicate within
the set norms and rules set out for
I
communicating; wherein a protocol for use of N
verbal and non verbal cues has been laid out. F
O
E.g. Communication b/w boss and an R
M
employee or b/w examiner and a student. A
L
• In Informal environment there is flexibility in the
use of verbal and non-verbal cues to
communicate our ideas. E.g. Communication
b/w mother and a child, or b/w husband and a
wife.
v) Communication is a cultural process
• Culture defines the rules, norms, beliefs
and attitudes prevailing in a society.
• Culturealso influences content, style,
approach and channels of communication.
• Effective communication requires that we
select appropriate symbols (verbal and
non verbal) in accordance to the other
person and the meaning they will derive
from it and not what we may think.
vi) Communication is both an art and a
science
• The knowledge of the various
• Communication is a skill /art since all
aspects of communication can
individuals have their own unique be learnt to enhance the
style of communicating. communication skills.
• Communication theory is based
• Same content can be conveyed to the on certain principles and
audience very differently by different postulates.
communicators. • The discipline has distinct
models that help to comprehend
• There is no one best way to communication in all its varied
communicate. forms.
vii) We use multiple methods to
communicate
• We often use different methods to
communicate.
• These methods may be verbal or
non-verbal or a combination of
both.
• Verbal methods may include: oral
or written communication.
• Non verbal methods may include:
signs, symbols, expressions,
gestures, body language, posture,
clothing or eye contact, etc.
Reasons for Communicating differ
By communicating we fulfill important goals and
activities that are crucial for our lives
•We learn, acquire information about ourselves, others and
the world around you.
•We relate to each other and form relationships
•We share feelings, emotions and respond to each others
needs
•We influence and control
•We enjoy and have fun
People communicate with each other in several ways
that depend upon the Message and the Context it is
being sent. Choice of communication channel and the
style of communicating also affects communication
At multiple levels
•Intra-Interpersonal- Group- Organizations-Mass
•Family, friends, colleagues, peers, acquaintances
In various contexts & environments
•Formal- Informal situations
•Work, Leisure, Retail/ Commercial, Services
•Within and across cultures
Use different methods- that use one or more of our senses
•Verbal, & Nonverbal
•Written, oral, body language
•Symbols and signs
•Channels
Key Elements of Communication
• Sender; the initiator and encoder of a message
• Message; the verbal and nonverbal components of language that is sent to the
receiver by the sender and the receiver in return as feedback, which conveys an idea.
• Encode; puts the idea into spoken language while putting their own meaning into the
word/message.
• Channel; the medium through which the message travels such as through oral
communication (radio, phone) or written communication (letters, email, text messages)
• Decode; translates the senders spoken idea/message into something the receiver
understands by using their knowledge of language from personal experience.
• Receiver; the one that receives the message (the listener) and the decoder of a
message.
• Effect; All communications have some effect/ consequence. Cognitive effects are
-you may gain knowledge or learn something. You may acquire new feelings,
attitudes, or beliefs or change existing ones (affective effects). You may learn new
bodily movements, such as how to throw a curve ball, paint a picture, give a
compliment, or express surprise (psychomotor effects).
• Context; to a large extent determines the meaning of verbal and nonverbal messages
and determines what you say and how you say it. Has 4 aspects: physical, cultural,
social-psychological, and temporal or time
• Noise; is any thing that interferes with your receiving of a message. 4 types of noise
physical, physiological, psychological and semantic
Key Aspects of the Communication
Process
Copyright ©2011, 2008, 2005
Pearson Education, Inc. All rights reserved.
Communication Competence
• Your knowledge and understanding of how
communication works
• Your ability to use communication effectively
Many of the problems occur because of
• the direct result of people failing to communicate effectively
• processes that leads to confusion in the communication of our
ideas
That can cause good intensions to fail
Studying Human communication process can improve the
quality of one's life
