Communication Studies: Intrapersonal Communication

Intrapersonal Communication

• Definition: Intrapersonal communication is the process of communication within an individual, including self-talk, internal dialogue, and reflective thinking.
• Functions: Helps in clarifying thoughts, aids in decision making, and reflects on experiences and emotions.
• Five elements of intrapersonal processing: Decoding, Integration, Memory, Schemata, and Encoding.

Interpersonal Communication

• Definition: Interpersonal communication is the exchange of information between two or more people.
• Quantitative: Traditionally, interpersonal communication is seen as a dyadic interaction occurring between two individuals.
• Qualitative: Interpersonal communication involves personal and meaningful interactions where individuals treat each other as unique beings.
• Functions: Building and maintaining relationships, sharing information and ideas, resolving conflicts, providing social support, expressing emotions, and influencing others.

Self-Identity

• Definition: Self-Identity refers to how an individual perceives themselves and their role in society.
• Components of Self-Identity: Personal Identity (characteristics that make a person unique), Social Identity (group affiliations), and Interpreting (others' reactions to us).
• Self-Concept Formation: Developed through interpretations of others' reactions and impressions formed during interpersonal relationships and societal interactions.

Active Listening

• Definition: Active Listening is the process of receiving and attending to sounds from our environment to interpret and respond in a meaningful way.
• Steps of Active Listening: Paying Attention, Showing Understanding, Providing Feedback, Deferring Judgment, and Responding Appropriately.
• Listening Process: Receiving, Attending, Interpreting, Remembering, and Responding.

Small Group Communication

• Definition: Small Group Communication is interaction among a small number of people (5-7) who share a common goal.
• Importance: Facilitates collaboration, enhances problem-solving, and allows for a diversity of ideas.
• Defined Roles: Each member often has a specific role, such as leader, recorder, or timekeeper.
• Norms: Groups establish norms or informal rules that guide members' behavior and interaction.
• Procedures: Clear procedures for meetings, decision-making, and task completion ensure that the group functions smoothly.

Characteristics of Small Groups

• Task Achievement: Small groups often form to accomplish specific tasks or goals.
• Problem Solving: Groups collaborate to find solutions to complex issues.
• Socializing: Some groups focus on social interaction, providing support, friendship, or a sense of belonging.
• Team decision making: Groups make decisions together.
• Interconnectedness for tasks in teams: Members are interconnected for tasks.
• Team member dependency: Members rely on each other.
• Team conflict: Conflicts arise within teams.
• Multiplicity of team members (gender/disciplines/profession/ages/etc.): Teams consist of diverse members.

Conflict in Small Groups

• Types of Conflict: Task Conflict, Relationship Conflict, and Process Conflict.
• Managing Conflict as a Supervisor: Identify the source, practice active listening, mediate, set guidelines, and follow-up.

Functions of Mass Media (According to Lasswell and Wright, 1948 and 1960)

• Surveillance: Monitoring the environment and providing information about events and conditions in society.
• Correlation: Explaining and interpreting events and information.
• Transmission: Socializing individuals by communicating norms, values, and culture.
• Entertainment: Providing amusement and diversion.
• Economic Service: Advertising products and services, linking buyers and sellers.

Leadership Styles

• Autocratic Leadership: Leaders make decisions independently with little input from group members.
• Pros: Efficient and clear decision-making.
• Cons: Can lead to lower morale and less creativity.

The 5 Stages/Steps of Small Group Formation

• Forming: Group members get to know each other and establish initial roles and expectations.
• Storming: Conflicts arise as members assert their opinions and vie for positions.
• Norming: The group establishes norms and cohesion, finding ways to work together effectively.
• Performing: The group works efficiently towards achieving its goals.
• Adjourning: The group disbands after achieving its goals, and members reflect on their experiences.

Barriers to Listening

• Physical Barriers: External noise and environmental distractions that interfere with hearing.
• Physiological Barriers: Hearing impairments, fatigue, or other physical conditions that affect listening.
• Psychological Barriers: Prejudices, assumptions, and biases that influence how we interpret messages.
• Semantic Barriers: Misunderstandings due to language differences, jargon, or technical terms.
• Personal Barriers: Emotional states, such as stress, anger, or anxiety, that affect our ability to concentrate and listen effectively.