Understanding Human Communication Chapter 1

Front 1

What is the definition of Communication

Back 1

Process of creating meaning through symbolic interaction. 

Front 2

What is the main characteristics of Communication?

Back 2

Communication possess 3 important characteristics:
- it occurs between humans
- it is a process
- it is symbolic

Front 3

What is the types of communication?

Back 3

1. Interpersonal - communicating with oneself.
2. Dyadic/interpersonal - communication in which the parties consider one another as a unique individuals rather than objects. It is characterized by minimum use of stereotypic labels and high degree of information exchange
3. Public Communication - communication that occurs when a group becomes too large for all members to contribute
4. Small group Communication - communication that occurs in a group whose size allows each member to participate actively with the other members.

Front 4

What are the needs that is satisfied by communication?

Back 4

1. Physical needs - Communication is so important that it is essential for our well-being.
2. Social needs - pleasure, affection, relaxation, escape control.
3. Practical needs
4. Identity needs

Front 5

What are the characteristics of linear and transactional communication models?

Back 5

1. In linear model - sender encodes ideas and feelings into some sort of message and conveys them to a receiver who decodes them.
=> An important element of this communication is channel (the method by which the message is conveyed (face to face)). Mediated channel is telephone email....
=> It also introduces the concept noise: external noise (physical): hear or concentrate; physiological - illness, fatigue;
=> this model shows that communicators often occupy different environments: - not only physical location but personal experiences and cultural backgrounds.

2. Transactional model - a characterization of communication as the simultaneous sending and receiving of messages in an ongoing, irreversible process.
=> simultaneous sending and receiving
=> fluid not static
=> relational not individual

Front 6

What is cognitive complexity?

Back 6

the ability to construct a variety of frameworks for viewing an issue

Front 7

What are the characteristics of communication competence?

Back 7

1. Wide range of behaviours
2. Ability to choose the most appropriate behaviours
3. Skill at performing behaviour
4. Empathy / Perspective Taking
5. Cognitive complexity
6. Self Monitoring
Commitment to Relationship

Front 8

What are the common misconceptions about communication?

Back 8

1. Doesn't always require complete understanding
2. Isn't always a good thing
3. No single person or event causes another's reaction
4. Won't solve all the problems
5. Meanings rest in people not in words
6. Isn't simple as it often seems
7. More communication isn't always better