Mass Communication Studies B. A.

Complimentary

Mass Communication Studies

Module1. Fundamentals of Communication Definitions
Communication: the transmission of information, idea, emotion, skills, etc., by the use of symbols-words, pictures, figures, graphs, etc. It is the act or process of transmission that is usually called communication (Berelson and Steiner, 1964). Communication is the verbal interchange of thought or idea (Hoben, 1954) Communication is the process by which we understand others and in turn endeavor to be understood by them. It is dynamic, constantly changing and shifting in response to the total situation (Anderson, 1959). Interaction, even on the biological level, is a kind of communication; otherwise common acts could not occur (Mead, reprinted 1963). Communication arises out of the need to reduce uncertainty, to act effectively, to defend or strengthen the ego (Barnlund, 1964). Communication is the process that links discontinuous parts of the living world to one another (Ruesch, 1957). It (communication) is a process that makes common to two or several what was the monopoly of one or some (Gode, 1959). Communication is the discriminatory response of an organism to a stimulus (Stevens, 1950). Every communication act is viewed as a transmission of information, consisting of a discriminative stimuli, from a source to a recipient (Newcomb, reprinted 1966). In the main, communication has as its central interest those behavioral situations in which a source transmits a message to a receiver(s) with conscious intent to affect the latters behaviors (Miller, 1966).

DJK Dept. of MCJ DBASC, Angadikadavu.

Mass Communication Studies B. A. Complimentary

Communication derived from the Latin word Communis means to make common

Elements of Communication
Source Communication starts with the source Conveys the content Also known as sender Encodes the message Influenced/ affected by the context Context Always there is a context The situation/state/condition in which the process occurs Either stimulate or regulate the entire process Four dimensions Physical closeness, health, potentials, abilities Social community, culture Psychological Mental, rational, intellectual, spiritual Temporal time /duration Message The text/content being conveyed Sensation/ emotion, philosophy, idea etc. Encoding Occurs within the source Translation process Message is changed to symbols Suitable for the medium Channel It is the route/medium through which the message is conveyed. Message in the form of symbols Connects the source and receiver Noise The Hurdles in the communication process Also called barriers or blocks

DJK Dept. of MCJ DBASC, Angadikadavu.

Mass Communication Studies B. A. Complimentary

Can occur in any of the elements There are six types of noises Mechanical or technical Caused by the quality of the media used Physical or external Caused by the actual disturbances in the environment Physiological or personal Bodily (illness, weakness, inability) Psychological caused by the subjectivity of the individuals (mind) Contextual caused by a poor knowledge or interpretation of the context Semantic - There is no shared meaning Decoding Occurs within the receiver Translation process Reverse of encoding Symbols are changed to message Interpreting the signals received Receiver Communication is directed to the receiver Receives the content Decodes the message Influenced/ affected by the context Giving feedback Feedback Immediate response of the receiver Can be either positive or negative Useful and effective in interpersonal communication Comparatively less in group communication Delayed or absent in mass communication Reaches the source Effect The consequences of the communication process Present in successful communication Highly relative Either positive or negative Can be short term or long term Can be immediate or delayed

DJK Dept. of MCJ DBASC, Angadikadavu.

Mass Communication Studies B. A. Complimentary

Types of Communication
Based on the number of persons (receivers) directly involved
Intra-personal Communication process within oneself Inter-personal Between two persons Face to face situation Effective interaction Feedback is present Air is the medium Multi senses used Non-verbal gestures are possible Interactions may be focused or unfocused Stages of interpersonal relationships Phatic/ Casual Personal Intimate Group More than two persons Effective interaction Feedback is less/ multi directional Air is the medium / technology assistance required for larger groups Multi senses used Non-verbal gestures are possible Institutional/Organizational Communication Vertical and horizontal directions Multi directional Systematic Task oriented Formal Feedback is present

DJK Dept. of MCJ DBASC, Angadikadavu.

Mass Communication Studies B. A. Complimentary

Expecting immediate effects Mass Large number of individuals Feedback is delayed or absent Scattered audience Presence of mass media More chance for noise Heterogeneous audience (Age, Education, Language, Interests, Tastes, Culture etc. ) Interactive Communication through new media Personal conversation is possible Feedback is possible Interactive communication Text audio & video can be used

Based on the use of the bodily senses

Visual Communication By sight Aural/ Auditory Communication By Hearing Olfactory Communication By smell Tactile Communication By touch Gustatory Communication By taste

Based on the mode

Body Study and interpretations of body language is called Kinesics Symbols Verbal and Non Verbal Linguistic words (Language) either written or spoken are present in verbal communication. Eg. Danger, go ahead, No Parking, Go slow Instead of words some other symbols are used in non-verbal communication Eg. Alarms, colours, diagrams, shapes etc

DJK Dept. of MCJ DBASC, Angadikadavu.