Communication Skills and Concepts Quiz

Introduction to Communication

• Communication is central to everyday life, from waking to sleep.
• Communication encompasses actions on others, interactions with others, and reactions to others.

Advantages of Learning Communication

• Studying communication improves self-perception.
• Studying communication improves how others see you.
• Studying communication improves relationships.
• Studying communication teaches vital life skills.
• Studying communication builds confidence in expressing and advocating opinions.
• Studying communication helps succeed professionally.
• Studying communication helps navigate a diverse world.

How We Communicate

• Humans think of information to share.
• They encode this information.
• They transmit it verbally, nonverbally, or in writing.
• A receiver decodes the information received.

Communication Process

• The sender encodes message.
• The message is transmitted.
• The receiver decodes message.
• Feedback is provided.

Communication Process (Alternative Model)

• The messenger produces the message.
• Encoding occurs in the message's transmission.
• The channel is what conveys the message (speaking, writing, etc.)
• Decoding of message happens.
• The recipient reacts based on understanding of message.
• At least some common code is needed in successful communication.

Types of Communication

• Intrapersonal communication: Individual talking to themself (e.g. thinking, dreaming, reflecting)
• Interpersonal communication: Two or three people communicating directly (using voices, facial/hand gestures, etc.)
• Mediated interpersonal communication: Communication aided by a third party (e.g. computer, phone, etc.)
• Small group communication: Three or more individuals working towards shared goals in an interdependent manner.
• Organizational communication: Interactions within formal work environments
• Public communication: One person speaking to a large group (e.g. public speaking events, editorials).

Characteristics of Communication

• Dynamic process: Ongoing, transitory; brings change
• Symbolic: Humans are symbol makers, symbols are discretionary and subjective
• Systematic: Considered in context of setting, location, occasion, time, number of people, and cultural setting.
• Involves making inferences: No direct mind-to-mind interaction is possible. The reader can only make inferences based on certain cues, such as a single word, silence, or a gesture.
• Self-reflective: Thought process involves the self and ability to evaluate.
• Has a consequence: Messages can impact others behaviors through actions or sounds.
• Complex: Communication is complex due to cultural differences, interpretations of gestures, and irony.

Characteristics of Identity

• Multifaceted: Individuals have diverse identities (e.g. wife, mom, friend).
• Social and Personal: Individuals have unique personal qualities and social identities shared within a group.
• Salience and Strength: The degree of prominence and importance of an identity.
• Fluid and Stable: Identities change based on context.
• Avowed and Ascribed: Avowal is self-declaration; Ascription is an external imposition.
• Passing and Outing: Passing is hiding true identity; Outing is expressing true identity.
• Performance and Expression: Identities are performed through rituals and customs, for example wearing particular clothes for a cultural event.
• Other characteristics: Self-concept, self-awareness, and self-esteem influence communication

Self-Concept

• Self-concept: Understanding of yourself (strengths, weaknesses, limitations).
• Personal identity: Specific personality characteristics.
• Social identity: Shared with groups.

Perception

• Perception is the process of becoming aware of objects, events, and people.
• It is an active process, choosing what to pay attention to, organizing information, and interpreting meaning
• It is influenced by physiological factors (senses, age, health, fatigue, hunger, biological cycles), psychological factors (mood, emotion, self-concept), and social factors (gender, occupational roles, social location).
• Tendencies in perception include making snap judgments, clinging to first impressions ("halo effect"), judging ourselves more charitably than others, being influenced by expectations, and being influenced by the obvious.

Interpersonal Relationships

• Interpersonal relationships are connections and interactions between two or more people
• Benefits of relationships: less loneliness, gain self-knowledge, enhance physical & emotional health, maximize pleasures, secure stimulation
• Disadvantages of relationships: uncomfortable pressure, increased obligations, prevents developing other relationships, fear of possibilities, and hurt feelings
• Stages of relationships: Contact (perceptual/interactional), Involvement (testing/intensifying), Intimacy (commitment/bonding), Deterioration, Repair, Dissolution

Group Communication

• The interaction of three or more interdependent members working towards a common goal.
• Components of group communication include members, goals, working, interdependence, and interaction
• Purpose includes sharing information and ideas, collecting information and feedback, arriving at a decision, solving a problem, and elaborating on work.
• Interaction in group communication involves the use of both verbal and nonverbal communication.
• Basic elements of communication include members, messages, channels, feedback, context, and noise.

Group Roles

• Task roles are focused on achieving goals, such as leader, initiator, opinion-seeker or information giver
• Maintenance roles maintain a harmonious atmosphere or group interaction smoothly, such as supporter, harmonizer, or gatekeeper.
• Disruptive roles hinder good group interaction, such as stage hog, isolate, clown, blocker, fighter, or cynic.

Advantages of Groups

• Groups provide enhanced performance opportunities.
• Groups improve member satisfaction.
• Groups increase learning and understanding of culture.
• Groups foster creativity and civic engagement.

Disadvantages of Groups

• Groups can be time-consuming in terms of energy and resources.
• Conflicts can emerge in groups, hindering success.
• Group member behavior problems can hinder progress.

How to Succeed in Groups

• Communicate effectively with diverse members.
• Use language effectively.
• Convey a professional image.
• Resolve group conflict.
• Demonstrate leadership.

Balancing Group Dialectics

• Individual goals → Group goals, meaning individual desires should be reconciled with those of the group
• Conflict → Cohesion
• Conforming ↔ Nonconforming
• Task dimensions ↔ Social dimensions
• Structure ↔ Spontaneity
• Engaged ↔ Disengaged
• Open system ↔ Closed system

Organizational Communication

• Communication within organizations.
• Structuration: the process of forming and maintaining communication structures via verbal and nonverbal codes. This determines norms and behaviors.
• Organizational types include economic, political, integration, and pattern maintenance
• Central features include organizational structures, communication networks, and organizational assimilation.

Verbal Communication

• Words are not transparent and unchanging
• Words are symbols for thoughts and have subjective meanings
• Words are arbitrary (meaning depends on culture and individual understanding), ambiguous (having multiple meanings), and abstract (not representing tangible reality)
• Denotation (literal meaning) and connotation (implied meaning). Meaning is dependent on the person
• Words are culture-bound (their use and meaning varies across cultures), and a fundamental means of communication.

Nonverbal Communication

• Nonverbal communication involves messages without words – body language, eye contact, facial expressions, touch, appearance, and use of space/territory/time (chronemics)
• Nonverbal cues can impact perceptions, generate meaning, structure conversations, affect interpretations, and manage impressions.

Conflict Management

• Conflict is unavoidable in organizations, but it can be managed effectively and constructively.
• Understanding the different types of conflict, including personal incompatibilities, disagreements over tasks, and misunderstandings in relationships can guide appropriate strategies
• Conflict arises when people have different viewpoints, incompatible goals, unclear roles, or unequal power
• Power dynamics can significantly influence conflict behavior and outcomes
• Effective conflict management involves empowerment (making each party feel valued), negotiation, cultivating respectful relationships, being transparent, and fostering a collaborative culture.
• Managing conflict with five styles (avoidance, competition, compromise, accommodation, and collaboration); these can be applied effectively to any situation.

Social Media

• Social media refers to online tools and services for sharing ideas, information, videos, pictures, and graphics.
• Types include social networking, photo sharing, video sharing, multimedia sharing, blogging. Examples include Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, Pinterest, and LinkedIn for individuals and organizations.
• Social media impacts education, marketing, and daily life; its advantages include worldwide connectivity, fast information sharing, global reach, and tools for achieving goals.
• Disadvantages include privacy concerns, changing communication habits, sleep disruption, emotional isolation, and reduction in face-to-face interaction. It's important to use social media responsibly and consider its effects on daily life.

This quiz explores essential concepts in communication, including touch in nonverbal communication, the impact of appearance, and various forms of interpersonal communication. Test your knowledge on the benefits and stages of communication, as well as differentiate between public and mediated communication. Perfect for students looking to deepen their understanding of communication skills.