Communication Fundamentals

Communication Defined

• Communication involves more than just words, including ideas, emotions, and nonverbal cues such as signs, symbols, and gestures.

Communication's Purpose

• The primary purpose of communication is to motivate a response or influence behavior.
• Effective communication requires relevance to the situation.

Communication and Conversation

• Communication builds connections between facts, ideas, and facilitates logical progress.

Communication as an Interdisciplinary Science

• Communication draws knowledge from various sciences, including:
  • Anthropology: Body language
  • Sociology: Human behavior
  • Psychology: Attitudes

Formal and Informal Communication

• Formal Communication: Follows established organizational channels (e.g., Managing Director to department heads).
• Informal Communication: Flows through personal contacts and relationships, outside official channels.

Communication Flow

• Communication flows in multiple directions:
  • Downward: Superior to subordinate
  • Upward: Subordinate to superior
  • Lateral: Between individuals at the same level

Barriers to Effective Communication

• Linguistic: Differences in language, dialects, and jargon
• Psychological: Individuals' personality traits, attitudes, and perceptions
• Emotional: Stress, anger, and anxiety
• Physical: Noise, distractions, and physical limitations
• Cultural: Dress, religion, food, and social norms can vary greatly
• Organizational Structure: Misinformation, lack of transparency, inefficient communication channels
• Attitude: Introversion, social anxiety, ego, and inconsiderate behavior
• Perception: Individuals interpret the same information differently.
• Physiological: Disorders, dyslexia, or physical limitations
• Technological: Rapid technological advancements, cost of technology, and accessibility
• Socio-religious: Gender, social status, and religious beliefs can create barriers.

Linear Communication Models

• Linear models are often used in sales, marketing, and public relations. They focus on a one-way transmission of information.
• Key elements in linear models:
  • Sender: Creates and transmits the message
  • Channel: Medium through which the message is sent (e.g., speech, writing)
  • Receiver: Interprets and decodes the message
  • Noise: Anything interfering with the message's clarity.

Aristotle's Model of Communication

• Focuses on the sender: The speaker or communicator.
• Emphasizes persuasion: The speaker has the responsibility to create a persuasive message.
• Audience is passive: Receives the message but does not actively engage.
• Key elements:
  • Ethos: Speaker’s credibility, authority, and expertise.
  • Logos: Logical appeal of the message.
  • Pathos: Emotional appeal of the message.
  • Noise: Anything that can interfere with message clarity.

Shannon-Weaver Model of Communication

• Focuses on the transmission of information: The sender encodes the message, and the receiver decodes it.
• Noise: Interfering factors that can distort the message.
• Feedback: The receiver's response to the sender.

Berlo's S-M-C-R Model of Communication

• Emphasizes the sender, message, channel, and receiver.
• Key elements:
  • Source: The sender or communicator.
  • Message: The content being communicated.
  • Channel: The medium used for communication (e.g., sight, sound).
  • Receiver: The person who receives the message.
  • Communication skills: The source and receiver's ability to encode and decode messages effectively.
  • Attitude: Beliefs and values of the source and receiver.
  • Knowledge: Shared information and understanding between the source and receiver.
  • Social system: The cultural and social context of communication.
  • Culture: Shared beliefs, customs, and traditions of the source and receiver.

Osgood-Schramm Model of Communication

• Circular model: Communication is a two-way process with both encoding and decoding involved.
• No distinction between sender and receiver: Both roles are intertwined, with continuous feedback.
• Emphasis on shared meaning: Effective communication relies on both parties understanding the same message.

Explore the essential aspects of communication, including its definitions, purposes, and the role it plays in building connections. Discover how various disciplines contribute to our understanding of effective communication, and differentiate between formal and informal communication styles.