Communication Models and Non-Verbal Cues

Study Notes

Communication

Communication is the exchange of information between individuals using shared symbols, signs, or behavior.
Oral communication involves sound representations and uses speaking and listening for idea expression.

Models of Communication

Shannon and Weaver Model: This model emphasizes the sender, message, channel, receiver, and noise. It is widely accepted and popular.
Schramm's Model: This model emphasizes the importance of feedback for complete communication.
Aristotle Model: This simple model includes only the speaker, message, and receiver.
Wendel Johnson Model: This model focuses on the physiological aspects of communication.
David Berlo's Model: This model uses the acronym S.M.C.R. (Source, Message, Channel, Receiver) to represent the key communication components.

Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication conveys ideas, insights, information, and experiences without words.
Body Movements (Kinetics):
- Emblems: Body movements with direct verbal translations.
- Illustrators: Body movements used to accent, emphasize, or reinforce words.
- Regulators: Body movements that control the back and forth nature of speaking and listening.
- Display of Feelings: Facial expressions and body movements that convey emotions.
- Adaptors: Non-verbal behaviors used to adjust to communication situations.
Paralanguage: Non-verbal elements of speech, including rate, pitch, volume, and quality.
Body Types:
- Ectomorphs (thin): Ambitious, younger, suspicious, nervous, pessimistic, quiet.
- Endomorphs (fat): Fashionable, lazy, talkative, warm-hearted, trusting.
- Mesomorphs (athletic): Strong, adventurous, mature, reliant, younger, taller.
Attractiveness: Perceived attractiveness can influence positive responses.
Body Adornment: Clothing, makeup, jewelry, and hairstyle.
Space and Distance (Proxemics):
- Intimate Distance: Direct contact or within 18 inches (e.g., mother and child).
- Personal Distance: 18 inches to 4 feet (e.g., casual conversation).
- Social Distance: 4 to 12 feet (e.g., formal gatherings).
- Public Distance: More than 12 feet (e.g., public speaking).
Touch (Haptics): Touch communicates meaning about relationships.
Time (Chronemics): The use of time in communication.
Oculetics: Eye contact in communication.

Effective Verbal Communication

Organization: Proper sequencing of thoughts and ideas.
Relevance: Using essential and important words.
Language Base: Using a common language for understanding.
Conciseness: Preferring words over phrases or clauses.
Conversational: Using everyday and conversational language.

Functions of Communication

Regulation/Control: Communication establishes regulations and controls in various environments.
Social Interaction: Communication is essential for interactions and forming groups.
Motivation: Communication can motivate both internally and externally.
Information: Communication provides information about various events and happenings.
Emotional Expression: Communication enables the expression of emotions like anger, happiness, and guilt.

Intercultural Communication

Intercultural communication involves understanding how people from different cultures interact and communicate.
Challenges:
- Message Transmission: Cultural differences can lead to misinterpretations of messages.
- Attribution: People may attribute misunderstandings to others' stupidity, deceit, or craziness.
- Adaptation: Communicators need to adapt to each other in cross-cultural encounters.

Management of Intercultural Communication

Strategies:
- Develop cultural sensitivity.
- Anticipate the receiver's interpretation.
- Encode messages carefully.
- Use words, pictures, and gestures effectively.
- Avoid slang, idioms, and regional sayings.
- Select appropriate transmission methods.
- Build relationships, including face-to-face interactions when possible.
- Decode feedback carefully.
- Seek feedback from multiple sources.
- Improve listening and observation skills.
- Follow-up on actions.

Principles Applied in Intercultural Communication

Cultural Convergence: In closed social systems, communication encourages cultural uniformity.
Communication Accommodation Theory: Focuses on using linguistic strategies to reduce or increase social distance.
Intercultural Adaptation: Explains how communicators adapt to each other by incorporating cultural factors.
Co-cultural Theory: Examines interactions between underrepresented and dominant groups.