Chapter 1

Human Communication: What and Why

Chapter Highlight
Communication, as we will study it in this book, possesses three important characteristics: It occurs between humans It is a process It is symbolic

Communication Defined
Communication as we know it is
not a discrete individual act or a series of incidents pasted like photograph. Communication is a continuous ongoing process It is like a motion picture in which the meaning comes from the unfolding of interrelated series of image.

Communication is Symbolic
Symbols are used to represent
things, processes, ideas, or event in ways that make communication possible. Effective communication depends on agreement among people about these rules. Symbolic meaning is not only applicable to verbal behaviors but also non-verbal behaviors communication

Types of Communication

Intrapersonal Communication

Communication with one self Dyadic/Interpersonal Communication two person interacting identical to interpersonal communication interpersonal communication is not limited to two persons only Small Group Communication Public Communication Mass communication

Continuation

Types of Communication
Small Group Communication Common fixtures of everyday life Posses characteristics that are not present in a dyad Example, two or more members of group can form a coalition to defend their position against other members

Types of Communication
Public Communication occurs when a group become too large for all members to contribute one characteristic of a group is an unequal amount of speaking limited verbal feedbacks Mass communication messages that are transmitted to large, widespread audience via electronic and print media.

Continuation

Functions of Communication
1. Physical Needs
absence of satisfying communication can even jeopardize life itself medical researchers have identified a wide range of hazards that result from lack of close relationship
Example:
i. ii. People who lack strong relationships have two or three times the risk of early death Terminal cancer strike socially isolated people more than those who have close relationship Divorced, separated, and widowed people are ten times more likely to need hospitalization for mental problem

iii.

Continuation

Functions of Communication
1. Physical Needs
Example: iv. Pregnant women under stress and without supportive relationships have three times more complications than pregnant who suffer from the same stress but have strong social support v. Socially isolated people are four times more susceptible to the common cold than those who have active social networks.

Functions of Communication
2. Identity Needs
a. Shape Identity
Enable us to learn who we are as a person Deprived of communication, we have no sense of identity Example: Wild Boy of Aveyron spent his early childhood without human contact could not speak/lack identity as a human Genie spent her life in empty, dark bedroom

Continuation

Continuation

Functions of Communication
2. Identity Needs
2. Attempt to get others to view us the way we want them to do so

3. Social Needs
1. Beside helping to define who we are, communication provides a vital link with others Example: Pleasure, to have good time,affection, inclusion, escape, control
Is the tools that let us tell the stylist how we want our hair to be cut or let the doctor know where it hurts. Key to effectiveness in a variety of everyday settings

4. Practical Needs
1.

2.

Modeling Communication
1. Linear Model

Modeling Communication
1. Linear Model a. A sender encodes ideas and feeling into some sort of message and then conveys them to a receiver who decodes them b. One important element of the linear model is the communication channel - the method by which message is conveyed between people

Modeling Communication
1. Linear Model c. Linear model introduces the concept of noise - a term used by social scientist to describe any forces that interfere with effective communication b. Three types of noises 1. Physiological 2. Psychological 3. External

Modeling Communication
2. Transactional Model a. The way most communication operates b. Simultaneous sending and receiving of messages c. Communication is fluid, not static d. Communication is relational, not individual

What Makes an Effective Communicator

Characteristic of Communication Competence a. There is no ideal way to communicate b. Competence is situational c. Competence is relational d. Communication can be learned

Continuation Characteristic of Effective Communicators

a. Able to choose a wide range of behaviors c. Ability to choose the most appropriate behaviors d. Posses skill at performing behaviors e. Empathy/Perspective taking f. Cognitive complexity g. Self-monitoring

Clarifying misconception about communication

Communication does not always requires complete understanding More communication is not always better Communication is not always a good thing Communication will not solve all problems Meaning rest in people, not words Communication is not simple