Nature and Elements of Communication

Study Notes

Communication derives from the Latin word 'Communicare,' meaning to impart, participate, or transmit.
'Communicare' is rooted in 'Communis,' signifying to make common or share.
Defined as the sharing and conveying of messages across various channels, contexts, media, and cultures.
Peter Little describes communication as a process that transmits information between individuals or organizations, resulting in an understanding response.
Involves an exchange of signals, which can be verbal, graphic, gestural, or visual.

Speaker:
- The encoder of the message who crafts it based on purpose.
- Initiates and delivers information to an audience.
Message:
- Central element that the speaker wants to convey to the listener.
- Defined by the speaker’s intention of why, what, and how to communicate.
Listener:
- Audience receiving the message.
- Decodes and interprets the meaning, requiring active attention to the communication.
Channels:
- Tools or means of transmitting the message.
- Utilizes the five senses for effective communication.
Response:
- Immediate reply or reaction to a message, acknowledging or directly addressing it.
Feedback:
- Detailed evaluative reaction from the listener to the speaker’s message.
- Involves monitoring the listener’s response to inform future communication.
Noise:
- Barriers that impede communication, which can be physical, physiological, or psychological.
Communicative Situation:
- Refers to the physical location where communication occurs, chosen based on interaction purpose.
- Psychological environment affecting participants' emotional states and engagement.

Conceptualize the communication process as a cyclical flow:
- Speaker ➔ Channels ➔ Listener ➔ Feedback ➔ Response
- Noise can occur at any point, hindering effective communication.
- The communicative situation frames this entire interaction.