Communication Skills Overview

Importance of Communication

• Strengthens existing relationships and fosters future positive connections.
• Facilitates information exchange and enables personal and professional growth.
• Opens up opportunities for societal contributions and leadership.

Nature of Communication

• Involves a two-way process essential for effective interaction.
• Requires knowledge of language and mutual understanding.
• Can occur through gestures and is a continuous, universal process.
• Includes both formal and informal communication styles.

Communication Process

• Sender/Encoder: Initiates the message using symbols to elicit a response.
• Receiver/Decoder: Intended recipient must comprehend the message.
• Channel/Medium: Path through which the message is conveyed.
• Message: Central idea conveyed between sender and receiver.
• Feedback: Response or reaction from receiver.
• Noise: Disruptors that hinder effective communication.
• Context: Factors such as location and situational elements influencing message interpretation.

Communication Models

• Shannon and Weaver’s Model: A linear model consisting of sender, receiver, and channel with potential noise.
• Schramm’s Interactive Model: Emphasizes transactional communication and mutual exchanges.

Components of a Message

• Content: Core message intended for communication.
• Elements: Non-verbal cues like body language and facial expressions.
• Treatment: Tone indicating urgency or casualness.
• Structure: Organization and arrangement of message.
• Code: Overall meaning derived from the message elements.

Barriers in Communication

• Environmental factors like noise and distance.
• Lack of structured communication leads to reliance on gossip.
• Use of shorthand or symbols in written communication impedes clarity.
• Intercultural differences in values and beliefs can obstruct understanding.
• Variations in age or physical condition influence communication effectiveness.

Types of Communication

• Verbal Communication: Can be oral or written.
• Non-verbal Communication: Includes body language and various forms of expressions.
  • Kinesics: Body movement language.
  • Proxemics: Language of personal space.
  • Chronemics: Language of time.
  • Haptics: Language of touch.
  • Olfactics: Language of smell.
  • Physical Appearance: Non-verbal impression.
  • Aesthetics: Nature-based communication.

Effective Communication Skills

• Voice Projection: Importance of loudness in conveying messages.
• Pitch Variation: Using tone changes for emphasis and engagement.
• Pacing: Adjusting speech speed to express emotions effectively.
• Key Word Emphasis: Highlighting important terms for clarity.
• Good Diction: Choosing words carefully for precise communication.

Intercultural Communication

• Influenced by gender identity, age identity, and cultural differences.
• Beliefs and values play a crucial role in interactions.

Functions of Communication

• Regulation/Control: Influencing behaviors.
• Information Sharing: Transmitting data and knowledge.
• Social Interaction: Building relationships.
• Emotional Expression: Conveying feelings.
• Motivation: Inspiring action or change.

Macro Skills

• Essential skills include listening, writing, viewing, speaking, and reading.

Stages of Listening

• Hearing: Receiving sound.
• Paying Attention: Focusing on the message.
• Understanding: Comprehending meaning.
• Evaluating: Analyzing message validity.
• Responding: Providing feedback.
• Remembering: Retaining information for future reference.

How to Be an Active Listener

• Prepare mentally to engage actively.
• Expand vocabulary for better understanding.
• Focus on identifying central ideas.
• Apply the message to contexts or experiences.

Types of Listening

• Discriminative: Selecting relevant sounds.
• Comprehension: Understanding messages.
• Critical/Evaluative: Judging message truthfulness.
• Biased: Ignoring undesired information.
• Appreciative: Enjoying entertaining content.
• Sympathetic: Showing care.
• Empathetic: Relating to others' feelings.
• Therapeutic: Providing advice in conversation.
• Dialogic: Listening to learn or gather information.
• Relationship Listening: Fostering intimacy.

Barriers to Effective Listening

• Noise and distractions weaken focus.
• Excessive talking and personal prejudices obstruct understanding.
• Misunderstandings and attention faking limit effective listening.
• Fear can hinder open communication.

Communicative vs. Grammatical Competence

• Communicative Competence: Involves informal, everyday interactions.
• Grammatical Competence: Focuses on structural correctness in language use.

Types of Speech Context

• Intrapersonal Communication: Self-dialogue.
• Interpersonal Communication: Engaging with others.
  • Dyadic: Communication between two individuals.
  • Group: Interaction within small groups.
  • Public: Addressing larger audiences.
  • Mass: Utilizing media for widespread communication.

Type of Speech Style

• Intimate: Highly casual and personal.
• Casual: Informal conversations among friends.
• Consultative: More formal interaction, often with a stranger.
• Formal: Respectful communication in professional settings.
• Frozen: Very formal, used in ceremonies and significant events.

Types of Speech Act

• Locutionary: Basic statements.
• Illocutionary: Expressing intentions, includes:
  • Assertive: Conveying beliefs.
  • Directive: Requesting actions.
  • Commissive: Making promises or assurances.
  • Expressive: Sharing emotions.
  • Declaration: Effecting change through speech.
• Perlocutionary: Impacting the listener’s actions.

Types of Communicative Strategies

• Nomination: Initiating conversation.
• Restriction: Limiting dialogue content.
• Turn-taking: Managing conversation flow.
• Topic Control: Keeping focus on the subject.
• Topic Shifting: Transitioning to related discussions.
• Repair: Correcting communication errors.
• Termination: Concluding discussions.