NATURE AND ELEMENTS

OF COMMUNICATION

Does the
fish know
that its
wet?

THE ANSWER

No. They dont. They dont even know theyre in

water. The existence of fishes is so surrounded by
water that it is impossible to see until they get
outside of it. By that time, theyre probably be
dead.

Let's rephrase the question. Do we even realize we communicate?

Objectives of this subject

Define and understand what communication is
Explain the nature and process of communication
Differentiate the various models of communication.
Distinguish the unique features of communication process from the other
Explain why there is a breakdown of communication and avoid these

What is Communication?
Communication is the act of conveying intended meaning to another entity through
the use of mutually understood signs and semiotic rules. The basic steps of
communication are the forming of communicative intent, message composition,
message encoding, transmission of signal, reception of signal, message decoding
and finally interpretation of the message by the recipient. (Douglas, 2013)

Communication is:
- An act
- With a goal to send a message to a receiver using
one channel
- Has several elements (i.e. sender, message, receiver,
channel, etc.)

So how does the process work?

The Communication Process

Is the guide to realizing effective communication. It is through the communication
process that the sharing of a common meaning between the sender and the
receiver takes place. Individuals that follow the communication process will have
the opportunity to become more productive in every aspect of their profession.
Effective communication leads to understanding.

Elements of Communication
1.

2.

Sender - the person who intends to convey the message with the intention of
passing information and ideas to others is known as sender or communicator,
or encoder.
Idea (Message) - this is the subject matter of the communication. This may be
an opinion, attitude, feelings, views, orders, or suggestions.

Elements of Communication
3. Channel - the person who is interested in communicating has to choose the channel for sending
the required information, ideas etc. This information is transmitted to the receiver through certain
channels which may be either formal or informal.
4. Receiver - the person who receives the message or for whom the message is meant for. It is
the receiver who tries to understand the message in the best possible manner in achieving the
desired objectives.
5. Feedback - process of ensuring that the receiver has received the message and understood in
the same sense as sender meant it.

The Linear Model

SENDER

MESSAGE

CHANNEL

RECEIVER

FEEDBACK

It is a one way model to communicate with others. It consists of the sender

encoding a message and channeling it to the receiver in the presence of noise. In
this model there is no feedback which may allow for a continuous exchange of
information. This form of communication is a one-way form of communication that
does not involve any feedback or response, and noise. (F.N.S. Palma, 1993

Linear (Shannon and Weaver) Model

includes noise or interference that distorts understanding between the speaker

and the listener

Schramm and Wood Model

a more interactive model that saw the receiver or listener providing feedback to the sender or
speaker. The speaker or sender of the message also listens to the feedback given by the receiver
or listener. Both the speaker and the listener take turns to speak and listen to each other.
Feedback is given either verbally or non-verbally, or in both ways. This model also indicates that
the speaker and listener communicate better if they have common fields of experience, or fields
which overlap

Transactional Model
The transactional model shows that the elements in communication are interdependent. Each person in
the communication act is both a speaker and a listener, and can be simultaneously sending and receiving
messages.
There are three implications in the transactional model:
Transactional means that communication is an ongoing and continuously changing process. You are
changing, the people with whom you are communicating are changing, and your environment is also
continually changing as well.
In any transactional process, each element exists in relation to all the other elements. There is this
interdependence where there can be no source without a receiver and no message without a source.
Each person in the communication process reacts depending on factors such as their background, prior
experiences, attitudes, cultural beliefs and self-esteem.

NEXT LESSON:
1.
2.
3.
4.

More Communication Models

Verbal vs Non Verbal Communication
Written Communication and its development
Barriers to Communication