Transcript Communication Studies One

Communication Studies
One
Understanding Communication
“An idea, no matter how
great, is useless until it is
transmitted and
understood by others.”
What is communication?
 “Communication is the transference and understanding
of meaning.” (Robbins, 310)
 “Communication is the process by which information is
exchanged and understood by two or more people,
usually with the intent to motivate or influence
behaviour.” (Daft, 567)
 It is a continuous process that occurs in various contexts
and uses cultural symbols. It is a process that
purposefully uses spoken, nonverbal and visual symbols.
Communication involves and affects nearly every
disciplinary field, including business.
Basic Communication Principles
 Communication is a Process. The exchange of messages
is on-going and dynamic. Our internal communication
and our exchanges with others are always changing and
growing.
 Communication is Continuous. Communication starts at
birth. Even if we do not talk then non-verbal
communication occurs. Non-verbal communication
includes body movements such as gestures, facial
expressions and vocal sounds that do not use words
Basic Communication Principles
Cont.
 We also continually communicate
internally. Intrapersonal
communication involves both
intentional and unintentional message
exchange. For Example, some of our
thought processes are unintentional,
such as when the body signals thirst to
the brain, but our internal critical
thinking, listening and reading are
intentional communication.
Functions of Communication in
the Workplace
 Communication acts to control member
behaviour in several ways. Organizations
have authority hierarchies and formal
guidelines that employees are required to
follow. For e.g., when employees are
required to first communicate any jobrelated grievance to their immediate boss,
to follow their job description, or to
comply with policies, communication is
performing a control function.
Functions Cont.
 Communication fosters motivation by clarifying to
employees what is to be done, how well they are doing
it, and what can be done to improve performance if it’s
subpar.
 Communication provides a release for emotional
expression of feelings and for fulfilment of social needs.
 Communication facilitates decision making. It provides
the information that individuals and groups need to
make decisions by transmitting data to identify and
evaluate alternative choices.
The Communication Process
 Communication can be thought of as a process or flow.
Communication problems occur when there are
deviations or blockages in that flow.
 Before communication can take place, a purpose,
expressed as a message to be conveyed, is needed. It
passes between a source (the sender) and a receiver.
The message is encoded (converted to symbolic form)
and is passed by way of some medium (channel) to the
receiver, who retranslates (decodes) the message
initiated by the sender. The result is transference of
meaning from one person to another.
Components of the
Communication model
The communication model is made up of seven parts:
 1. ideas
 2. encoding
 3. communication source and receiver
 4. the message,
 5. the channel
 6. decoding
 7. feedback
Ideas and Encoding
 Ideas are generated at the point of perception, when
information from the outside environment or from inside
your mind simulates and arouses your attention. The
sender must choose certain words or non-verbal
methods to send an intentional message. The activity is
called encoding. The words and channels that a
communicator chooses to deliver a message can make a
tremendous difference in how that message is received.
Communication Source and
Receiver
 Each person in the communication process is both a
message source and a receiver throughout a given
interaction. A message source is the originator and
transmitter of the message.
 The receiver is the recipient of the message, or the
destination point.
Message
 Message are ideas encoded and designed into one or
more symbols to communicate meaning. We think about
these message internally; formulate them into words,
behaviours or visual images and send them to other
people.
Channel
 The channel (sometimes called the medium) is the
method used to deliver a message. As a business
communicator, you can always choose whether to put
your message in writing as aletter or memo.

Decoding
 Even if a message does not get to its intended receiver
intact, there is no guarantee that it will be understood as
the sender intended it to be. The receiver must still
decode it, attaching meaning to the words or symbols.

Feedback
 The discernible response of a receiver to a sender’s
message is called feedback. Some feedback is nonverbal- smiles, sighs and so on. Feedback can also be
written, as when you respond to a co-workers memo. In
many cases, no message can also be a kind of feedback.
The Communication Process