Chapter 1: What Is Communication?

Front 1

Define communication.

Back 1

The process of sharing meaning by sending and receiving symbolic cues

Front 2

What 3 things make up Ogden and Richards' "Triangle of Meaning?"

Back 2

Interpreter, symbol, referent

Front 3

What is an interpreter?

Back 3

Both the sender and receiver of a message; a communicator

Front 4

What is a symbol?

Back 4

Anything to which people attach or assign a meaning - words, symbols, colors, or gestures.

Front 5

What is a referent?

Back 5

The object or idea for which the symbol stands (e.g.), associating the color red with "Republican" and blue with "Democrat)

Front 6

What are the five different levels on which communication can occur?

Back 6

Intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, public, mass communication

Front 7

What is intrapersonal communication?

Back 7

Communicating with yourself (intra = within)

Front 8

What is interpersonal communication?

Back 8

Communicating with one other person (inter = between)

Front 9

What is another name for interpersonal communication?

Back 9

Dyadic communication (dyad = pair)

Front 10

What is group communication?

Back 10

Three or more people interacting and influencing each other to pursue a common goal (the common goal is the important part here)

Front 11

What is public communication?

Back 11

When one person speaks face to face with an audience (the audience is restricted in participating with the speaker)

Front 12

What is mass communication?

Back 12

Communication with a large audience via print, radio, television, or computer. Audience feedback is delayed or nonexistent.

Front 13

Elements of Communication model: What is the speaker?

Back 13

The sender, the source, or the encoder of a message

Front 14

Elements of Communication model: What is encoding?

Back 14

The process of translating ideas into symbols (words, symbols, gestures, etc.)

Front 15

Elements of Communication model: What is the message?

Back 15

The ideas actually being communicated (originates with the first speaker)

Front 16

Elements of Communication model: What is the listener?

Back 16

The "receiver" or "decoder" -- the person who attaches meaning to the symbols he or she has received

Front 17

Elements of Communication model: Does sending and receiving of messages happen simultaneously?

Back 17

Yes

Front 18

Elements of Communication model: What is feedback?

Back 18

The interactions between listeners and speakers, both verbal and nonverbal

Front 19

Give an example of verbal feedback

Back 19

e.g.: Your teacher announces a pop quiz, and you say, "Oh no!"

Front 20

Give an example of non-verbal feedback

Back 20

e.g.: Your teacher announces a pop quiz, and you make a face and drop your head onto your desk.

Front 21

Elements of Communication model: What is the channel (also called the medium)?

Back 21

The way the message is sent (e.g., the sound vibrations in the air as you speak to someone)

Front 22

Elements of Communication model: What is the environment?

Back 22

The physical setting AND the occasion for communication

Front 23

Elements of Communication model: What is noise?

Back 23

Anything that distracts from effective communication

Front 24

Elements of Communication model: What are the three types of noise?

Back 24

Physical noise, psychological noise, and physiological noise

Front 25

What is physical noise?

Back 25

Distractions in the actual physical environment (e.g., a noisy air conditioner that bothers you while you're listening in class)

Front 26

What is physiological noise?

Back 26

Distractions originating in the bodies of the communicators (a bad cold, a growling stomach, etc.)

Front 27

What is psychological noise?

Back 27

Distractions originating in the thoughts of communicators (e.g., anxiety over an upcoming test)