Transcript Communication Studies One
Communication Studies One
Understanding Communication
“An idea, no matter how great, is useless until it is transmitted and understood by others.”
What is communication?
“Communication is the transference and understanding of meaning.” (Robbins, 310) “Communication is the process by which information is exchanged and understood by two or more people, usually with the intent to motivate or influence behaviour.” (Daft, 567) It is a continuous process that occurs in various contexts and uses cultural symbols. It is a process that purposefully uses spoken, nonverbal and visual symbols. Communication involves and affects nearly every disciplinary field, including business.
Basic Communication Principles
Communication is a Process. The exchange of messages is on-going and dynamic. Our internal communication and our exchanges with others are always changing and growing.
Communication is Continuous. Communication starts at birth. Even if we do not talk then non-verbal communication occurs. Non-verbal communication includes body movements such as gestures, facial expressions and vocal sounds that do not use words
Basic Communication Principles Cont.
We also continually communicate internally. Intrapersonal communication involves both intentional and unintentional message exchange. For Example, some of our thought processes are unintentional, such as when the body signals thirst to the brain, but our internal critical thinking, listening and reading are intentional communication.
Functions of Communication in the Workplace
Communication acts to control member behaviour in several ways. Organizations have authority hierarchies and formal guidelines that employees are required to follow. For e.g., when employees are required to first communicate any job related grievance to their immediate boss, to follow their job description, or to comply with policies, communication is performing a control function.
Functions Cont.
Communication fosters motivation by clarifying to employees what is to be done, how well they are doing it, and what can be done to improve performance if it’s subpar.
Communication provides a release for emotional expression of feelings and for fulfilment of social needs.
Communication facilitates decision making. It provides the information that individuals and groups need to make decisions by transmitting data to identify and evaluate alternative choices.
The Communication Process
Communication can be thought of as a process or flow. Communication problems occur when there are deviations or blockages in that flow.
Before communication can take place, a purpose, expressed as a message to be conveyed, is needed. It passes between a source (the sender) and a receiver. The message is encoded (converted to symbolic form) and is passed by way of some medium (channel) to the receiver, who retranslates (decodes) the message initiated by the sender. The result is transference of meaning from one person to another.
Components of the Communication model
The communication model is made up of seven parts: 1. ideas 2. encoding 3. communication source and receiver 4. the message, 5. the channel 6. decoding 7. feedback
Ideas and Encoding
Ideas are generated at the point of perception, when information from the outside environment or from inside your mind simulates and arouses your attention. The sender must choose certain words or non-verbal methods to send an intentional message. The activity is called encoding. The words and channels that a communicator chooses to deliver a message can make a tremendous difference in how that message is received.
Communication Source and Receiver
Each person in the communication process is both a message source and a receiver throughout a given interaction. A message source is the originator and transmitter of the message.
The receiver is the recipient of the message, or the destination point.
Message
Message are ideas encoded and designed into one or more symbols to communicate meaning. We think about these message internally; formulate them into words, behaviours or visual images and send them to other people.
Channel
The channel (sometimes called the medium) is the method used to deliver a message. As a business communicator, you can always choose whether to put your message in writing as aletter or memo.
Decoding
Even if a message does not get to its intended receiver intact, there is no guarantee that it will be understood as the sender intended it to be. The receiver must still decode it, attaching meaning to the words or symbols.
Feedback
The discernible response of a receiver to a sender’s message is called feedback. Some feedback is non verbal- smiles, sighs and so on. Feedback can also be written, as when you respond to a co-workers memo. In many cases, no message can also be a kind of feedback.