Definition of Communication

Questions and Answers

Match the following components of the communication process with their descriptions:

Source = The sender of the message Message = The information that the sender wants to convey Channel = The manner in which the message or information is conveyed Receiver = The person or group of people that will get the message

Match the following definitions of communication with their sources:

Communication - 'something in common' = Chase & Shamo, 2013 Communication - 'the simultaneous sharing and creating of meaning through human symbolic interaction' = Seiler and Beall, 1999 Communication - 'a systemic process in which individuals interact with and through symbols to create and interpret meanings' = Wood's, 2004 Communication - The process of creating and sharing meaning by using verbal and nonverbal symbols in varied contexts = Not provided

Match the following communication process steps with their definitions:

Encoding = The process of converting the sender’s idea or thoughts into verbal and/or nonverbal symbols that can be understood by the receiver Decoding = The receiver’s mental processing of the message into the meaning suggested by the symbols that the sender used Feedback = The receiver’s response to the message Context = The situation in which the communication takes place

Match the elements of communication with their definitions:

Sender = Who the source is Message = What the idea being communicated says Channel = Through what medium the message is relayed Receiver = To whom it is directed Signup and view all the answers

Match the key principles of communication with their descriptions:

Interpersonal communication is inescapable = Not possible for humans to not communicate Interpersonal communication is irreversible = Once communication has occurred between individuals, it cannot be taken back or undone Interpersonal communication is complicated = Involves body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, and other nonverbal cues Interpersonal communication is contextual = Varied contexts like psychological, relational, situational, environmental, and cultural Signup and view all the answers

Match the types of context with their descriptions:

Psychological Context = Includes needs, desires, values, beliefs, personality, and more Relational Context = Reactions based on relationships like boss, colleague, friend, sibling, parent Situational Context = Refers to psycho-social 'where' you are communicating Environmental Context = Physical 'where' you are communicating Signup and view all the answers

Match the nonverbal communication cues with their examples:

Bodily movement = Physical movements or postures that convey meaning Facial expression = Expressions on the face conveying emotions or reactions Gesture = Hand or body movements used to emphasize or convey a message Eye contact = Making visual contact with another person as a form of nonverbal communication Signup and view all the answers

Match the differences between morals and ethics with their explanations:

Morals = Own set of rules not mandatory for others to follow Ethics = Accepted rules by society that everyone must adhere to Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Definition of Communication

Communication is the process of creating and sharing meaning by using verbal and nonverbal symbols in varied contexts.
It involves a common understanding of something, which can be achieved through simultaneous sharing and creating of meaning through human symbolic interaction.

Elements of Communication

Source: the sender of the message
Message: the information the sender wants to convey
Encoding: the process of converting the sender's idea or thoughts into verbal and/or nonverbal symbols
Channel: the manner in which the message or information is conveyed
Decoding: the receiver's mental processing of the message into the meaning suggested by the verbal and/or nonverbal symbols
Receiver: the person or group of people that will get the message
Feedback: the receiver's response to the message
Context: the situation in which the communication takes place, including environment, relationship, cultural backgrounds, and past experiences

Key Principles of Communication

Interpersonal communication is inescapable: humans cannot not communicate
Interpersonal communication is irreversible: once communication has occurred, it cannot be taken back or undone
Interpersonal communication is complicated: it involves body language, tone of voice, facial expressions, and other nonverbal cues
Interpersonal communication is contextual: it depends on psychological, relational, situational, environmental, and cultural contexts

Context of Communication

Psychological Context: includes who you are, your needs, desires, values, beliefs, personality, and more
Relational Context: includes reactions to the other person based on relationships
Situational Context: includes the psycho-social "where" you are communicating
Environmental Context: includes the physical "where" you are communicating
Cultural Context: includes learned behaviors and rules that affect the interaction

Nonverbal Cues

Bodily movement
Facial expression
Gesture
Distance
Eye contact

Morals and Ethics

Morals: a personal set of rules that others are not expected or required to follow
Ethics: rules accepted and approved by society that everyone must follow