Transcript c503f145bf176f9

COMMUNICATION & COUNSELING SKILLS
Learning Outcomes for this Session
 Introduction to communication
 The value of communication process.
 Elements of communication process.
 Criteria of effective communication.
 Barriers to Communication
 Verbal and nonverbal communication.
Introduction to communication
 Communication is very important to human beings.
It’s how information, sense, and knowledge are
imparted, giving assurance that the world does not
plunge into chaos.
 Communication is what makes us stay unified. Thus, it
is important that we understand the communication
process thoroughly so that we may be able to
communicate effectively with everyone.
Introduction to communication
 Health communication encompasses several areas
including edutainment or enter-education, health
journalism, interpersonal communication, media
advocacy, organizational communication, risk
communication, social communication and social
marketing. It can take many forms from mass and
multi
 Primarily, the communication process involves a
sender and a receiver. Communication is not only
limited to verbal, but it’s also by means of body
language
Introduction to communication
 Health communication is a key strategy to inform the
public about health concerns and to maintain
important health issues on the public agenda.
 The use of the mass and multi media and other
technological innovations to disseminate useful health
information to the public, increases awareness of
specific aspects of individual and collective health as
well as importance of health in development.
The value of communication process.
 Health communication is directed towards improving
the health status of individuals and populations.
 Much of modern culture is transmitted by the mass
and multi media which has both positive and negative
implications for health.
 Research shows that theory-driven mediated health
promotion programming can put health on the public
agenda, reinforce health messages, stimulate people to
seek further information, and in some instances,
bring about sustained healthy lifestyles.
What is communication?
 Communication is a process that involves exchange of
information, thoughts, ideas and emotions .
 Communication is a process that involves a sender
who encodes and sends the message, which is then
carried via the communication channel to the receiver
where the receiver decodes the message, processes the
information and sends an appropriate reply via the
same communication channel.
Communication Process
Communication Process
Communication Process
Communication Process
 For an effective communication process, there are two primary
steps, the sending and the receiving; however, feedback is also
added to this, ensuring that the intent of the message is received
accurately.
There are four steps in sending the message:
 - formulate the meaning of the message itself
 - consider possible barriers
 - formulate the words you want to use for your message
 - clearly communicate the message to the receiver
There are also four steps in receiving the message:
 - hear the message
 - overcome the barriers
 - decode the message with mental images
 - formulate the response
 -Thus, it will make the communication process into a cycle
.
Communication Process
Elements of the Communication Process
 Communication can be very complex, as there are
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countless opportunities for sending or receiving the wrong
message. In order to understand the complexity of the
communication process you have to be familiar with the
following terms we refer to as elements:
Sender
Receiver
Encode
Message
Channel
Decode
Feedback
Communication Process
Elements of the Communication Process
 Sender: A person sending a message to another
person. This person begins the communication
process. The sender has a responsibility to formulate a
message that will communicate exactly what he/she
means. This involves the use of communication
symbols that will convey this meaning.
 Receiver: The receiver is the person to whom the
message (or communication) is directed.
Elements of the Communication Process
 Message: The reason for the communication process. It
is the idea or information that the sender wants to pass
on to the receiver. This is the encoded set of symbols
that is conveyed by the sender and which consists of
both verbal and non-verbal symbols that the sender
wishes to transmit. The sender must formulate the
message with clear language or symbols which will be
easily understood by the receiver and which the
receiver will be able to interpret accurately and
respond to. The sender should also provide room for
feedback in the message.
Elements of the Communication Process
 Channel: The channel is the medium through which
the message is sent – for example whether it is sent
verbally (by word in face to face or telephonic
conversation), written (by writing such as memos,
letters, faxes, e-mail) or signaled (by hand or other
symbols). The channel carries the message from the
sender to the receiver.
Techniques of the Communication Process
Then there are four communication techniques and
these are:
 encoding,
 decoding,
 response, and
 feedback
Techniques of the Communication Process
Encoding: This technique is when the sender puts the
message into language, symbols or signals, which may
be understood by the receiver. The process of
formulating the ideas of the message into meaningful
symbols, words or signs, is known as encoding.
 It is important that the sender must encode the
message in a way that it will be recognized and
understood by the receiver, in order to make sure the
receiver gets the message as intended by the sender.
Techniques of the Communication Process
Decoding is when the receiver interprets the message and its
meaning. Decoding is the process by which the receiver
translates the symbols or words of the message into
information that is meaningful to them.
The process and success of decoding can be influenced by :
Difference in perception and experiences between the
sender and the receiver.
Their different attitudes and what they already know about
the topic of the communication.
Different receivers could decode the same message
differently, because of each one’s unique perception.
Responding: This is when the receiver or even the sender of
the message performs an action and responds to the
message received.
Techniques of the Communication Process
Feedback:
 It is the given response (reaction) back to the sender based on
the meaning they attach to the message..
 The feedback can be verbal, written or non-verbal. Even silence
is non-verbal feedback, although it is often hard to interpret and
can be misunderstood because it can either mean indifference,
acknowledgement or a lack of understanding of the message.
Because of all the different ways silence can be interpreted, this
is known as negative feedback.
 It is important for the sender to design feedback methods in a
way that would encourage understanding and positive feedback.
These can be done by encouraging comments and questions
from the receivers.
Barriers to Communication
 Noise’ and Barriers to Communication
The problem is that communication is rarely as simple
as this model would suggest. There are lots of different
types of medium to send a message in and the way that
the receiver perceives the message might be very
different to that which the sender intended.
Have you ever received a text message from a friend
that you thought meant something different to what
your friend intended?
Barriers to Communication
Barriers to Communication
Barriers to Communication
Noise in communication, is any distraction that
interferes with the proper transmission of
communication, so that the message from the
sender cannot reach the receiver as it was intended
by the sender to be understood.
It is a major communication barrier, noise can be
the background sounds at a site It could also be the
accent of the sender , which may make it difficult
for the reciver to understand the message he/she
is trying to convey.
Barriers to Communication
Noise:
Noise hinders effective communication throughout the
communication process.
Noise can be from the external (surrounding) environment,
such as from too many messages at the same time or
background noise that interferes with a clear
understanding of the message.
We also refer to some receiver characteristics as ‘noise’, and
this is where their emotions, ethnic background, age,
education level or disabilities may distort or make a
message misunderstood.
Barriers to Communication
Barriers to communication can take many forms, which include:
 Language
 Technical content
 Lack of understanding of what the receiver wants or needs
 Inadequate feedback
 Emotional interference – can you really send out a clear message when
you are upset, for example?
 The degree of knowledge and expertise of the sender and the receiver
 The quality of the information sent
 The use of an inappropriate medium
 Lack of trust or honesty in the source
 Cultural differences
 Poor listening skills
 The position or status of the source
Barriers to Communication
Barriers to Communication
Barriers to Communication
 This means (1) taking special effort in encoding your
idea (2) with the target recipient in mind. It is
important to note that the words, tone and actions
that you choose to encode your idea represent specific
content meaning … therefore, choose them wisely.
 Next, you have to keep the target recipient in mind.
Does the recipient understand the words used? Does
the recipient have the maturity and enough experience
to understand what is being communicated?
Barriers to Communication
 Coping with Noise in the Encoding Process
 There may be internal noises (i.e., your attitude about
your position and your feelings) that interfere with the
encoding process so much so that the message
transmitted is NOT your intended idea. Recognizing
this danger, what can you do to encode your idea
clearly?
Barriers to Communication
Barriers to Communication
 Handling Noises in the Environment and in the Recipient
 There are noises that distort the message in transmission
and decoding. Effective communicators take these noises
into consideration when they are communicating.
 External noises along the channel of communication are
sights, sounds and other stimuli in the environment that
draw a recipient’s attention away from what is being
communicated.
 The consequence of external noise is that the message may
not reach the recipient in the same form in which it left you
(i.e., the message received is NOT the message
transmitted).
Barriers to Communication
 Moreover, the recipient also has to cope with internal
noises. In this case, the internal noises (the recipient's
attitude and feelings) interfere with the "decoding"
process so much so that the message decoded is NOT
the message received.
 Then there are semantic noises, the unintended
meanings aroused by certain symbols inhibiting the
accuracy of decoding. We need to maintain an empty
closet where there are no unsettled grievances in the
recipient's mind
Barriers to Communication
Basics of “Effective Communication”
 The way you communicate helps other people to form
an opinion about you, about your ideas or about a
product/ services that you want to sell or buy. It doesn’t
matter much if you have great ideas and you can’t
transmit them in a effective way.
 Communication is a two-way process (speaking and
listening) and you can’t be an effective communicator
if you don’t master both.
Basics of “Effective Communication”
Some tips about communication strategies.:
 Start by always mention the points in common and accept
different opinions by others
 Nonverbal communication. What you do and how you do it
is as important as your words.
 Transmit something that others can find useful. Find what
they need and work on it!
 Be confident when you speak, being thoughtful but not
emotional
 Keep different opinions out of the personal level. “Attack”
divergent opinions, not the one that represents it
 Have a logical and organized presentation and avoid
mixing concepts or ideas. Try to be clear and effective
Basics of “Effective Communication”
Basics of “Effective Communication”
 Remember the five “C’s” of communication – Clarity,
Completeness, Conciseness, Concreteness and
Correctness.” Why Become a Better Communicator?
 One of the reasons why person cannot live in his/her best
life possible is he/she cannot communicate effectively. The
inability to engage in a meaningful conversation bars
him/her to have productive relationships.
 We talk. Yes, we do. But talking does not mean we are good
communicators. Actually, sometimes we turn out as
terrible communicators because we just keep on talking,
and forget listening.
Basics of “Effective Communication”
 Why should we strive to become a good communicator?
1. Win the hearts of many - A good communicator is a
healthy-relationship magnet.
2. Less stress - When we can avoid misunderstandings, it
means we shy away from problems.
3. Attract Opportunities - Opportunities chase those who
have speech power.
4. Confidence - Confidence is an asset.
5. Prevent waste of time and energy - Some worry about "how
to say" things, instead of just focusing on "what to say."
6. Good reputation - An eloquent person attracts respect.
THANK YOU