Transcript Signs

A Model Of The Communication
Process
1
Introduction
• We define communication
operationally – with a model showing
how it works.
• The model describes face–to–face
communication. Later we adapt it to
writing.
• The model relies heavily on theory.
2
A common misconception.
• Communication is not a natural human
activity.
• Human communication, at least the verbal
part of it – is far from being a natural
function, that is, it is not the sort of thing
we would do if left to nature’s devices , as
we would many of our other activities.
3
A common misconception
(Cont.)
• We learn to communicate.
• It is not instinctive but taught.
• It was originated by human beings
and it must be acquired from human
beings
4
The Communication
Environment
• Communication occurs in a sensory
environment – the real world with all the
signs the senses can detect.
• It is made up of all the signs existing in
the world of reality that surrounds each
of us.
• Your sensory environment is the real world
surrounding you as you read these words.
5
The Communication
Environment (Cont.)
• By Real World we mean that which actually
exists.
• It contrasts with the world that exists
only in peoples minds.
• Of course one may argue that what exists
in the mind also is real – that, right or
wrong, the content of a mind exists only in
that mind.
6
The Communication
Environment (Cont.)
• By Signs we mean everything from
the real world that can act as a
stimulus to us.
• In other words, it is everything that
our sensory receptors can detect.
• They produces responses in us.
7
The Communication
Environment (Cont.)
• By Sensory Receptors we mean those body
organs that we use to use to detect the
signs in the real world.
• Specially the term refers to our eyes,
noses, ears, mouths and flesh with its
ability to detect surface and temperature
differences.
8
The Communication
Environment (Cont.)
• Sign Detections:
– Our sensory receptors continuously pick
up some of the infinite number of signs
existing in our communication
environment.
– Stated another way, the signs around us
continuously produce responses within
us through our receptors.
9
The Communication
Environment (Cont.)
• Consider these words that you are
reading. Do you notice other signs?
• Perhaps you are not picking up all of
them
• Perhaps there are noises around you
• From time to time you may become
aware of being hot or cold, or your
back may itch, or your sitting
positions may become uncomfortable.
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The Communication
Environment (Cont.)
• Thus, as have read the previous slide,
your sensory receptors have
continuously picked up signs from all
these parts of the reality that
surrounds you.
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The Communication
Environment (Cont.)
• Sensory Limitations:
– Sensory Receptors are limited; they
detect only a small part of the real
world.
– In short they are restricted
– They are not capable of detecting all
the signs that we know exists in the real
world.
12
The Communication
Environment (Cont.)
• Sensory Limitations (Cont.):
Examples:
– Our eyes can detect only a small part of the
total spectrum of wavelengths, and ability to
detect from these wavelengths vary from
person to persons.
– Dogs and birds can hear much that we cannot
– We can smell only the strong odor, while dogs
do a much better job of smelling.
13
The Communication
Environment (Cont.)
• Selective perception:
– Sensory receptors select signs to detect.
– They tune in on one and ignore others.
– Example:
• Place yourself in a roomful of talking people, and
notice how you are able to tune in on one conversation
and ignore others.
• Or notice how you are able to focus to your vision on
one minute object and then expand your view to a
much broader picture.
14
The Communication
Environment (Cont.)
• Varying alertness and perception:
– Our detection or nondetection of signs
also depends on our receptiveness to
sign.
– Our perception varies with the our
degree of mental alertness.
– When you are asleep, you detect almost
none.
15
The Communication
Process
• With the communication environment
as a base, we shall review the
communication process.
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The Communication
Process (Cont.)
Feedback
Sender
Thought
Encoding
Receiver
Message
transmission
Reception
Understand
Decoding
Noise
17
The Communication
Process (Cont.)
Encoding
• The sender generates thoughts to be
conveyed.
• The sender encodes the thoughts with
both verbal and non-verbal cues
(Gestures).
• Noises from outside may disturb the
encoding, which may alter the meaning.
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The Communication
Process (Cont.)
Transmission:
• The encoded message gets
transmitted to the receiver. During
the transmission, the both external
and internal noise may alter the
intended meaning of the original
message.
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The Communication
Process (Cont.)
•
Receiving and Decoding
The receiver accepts the messages.
(S)He then assigns meaning to the
message according to his mental filter.
With the meaning assigned, the receiver
understands the messages and sends
feedback to the sender.
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The Communication
Process (Cont.)
• Sending feedback also applies the
same cycle.
• And the cycle keeps moving.
21
The Communication
Process (Cont.)
• Reception of signals:
– The signs echo and re-echo throughout
the receiver’s nervous system
– This is the preverbal neurophysiological
stage
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The Communication
Process (Cont.)
• Flow to the brain:
– Eventually the stimuli from the signs
reach the receivers brain.
– The sensory flow is continuous but may
vary with sign intensity and degree of
mental alterness.
23
The Communication
Process (Cont.)
• Role of the filter
– The mind filters the stimuli and gives
meaning to them
– The filter includes knowledge,
viewpoints and emotions that influence
interpretation of signs
24
The Communication
Process (Cont.)
• Role of the filter (Cont.):
– All filters are unique because no two
people have identical experiences,
thoughts and emotional makeups.
– Thus meanings given to signs differ.
– Meaning depends on filter content.
– Words are but one type of sign
25
The Communication
Process (Cont.)
• Role of the filter (Cont.):
– Seeing snakes, feeling cool breezes and
such are non verbal signs we could
detect.
– Many signs produce multiple, mixed or
confused meanings.
– For example, we could respond to a
politician numerous ways.
26
The Communication
Process (Cont.)
• Role of the filter (Cont.):
– Meanings in the filter may trigger
reactions – physical, verbal or both,
most reactions are verbal.
27
The Communication
Process (Cont.)
• The symbolizing stage:
– The symbolizing stage begins when the mind
searches for symbols (usually) words with
which to express the intended meaning.
– Intellect and knowledge of language relate
directly to competency in symbolizing
– Symbolizing imperfect because of language and
human limitations.
28
The Communication
Process (Cont.)
• Act Of Encoding:
– Encoding concludes the first cycle of
the communication process.
– It involves sending word and nonverbal
symbols to a receiver.
29
The Cycle Repeated
• The first receiver now becomes sender
and vice versa.
• Then Identical communication cycle begins.
• Communication occurs if receiver get the
meaning sender intended.
• The meaning receiver receive may cause
him to respond, then another cycle occurs
and the process may go on and on.
30
The model and written
communication
•
Three differences exist when we
apply the model to writing.
1. Greater Creativity
2. Time Lag
3. Limited Number of Cycle
31
The model and written
communication (Cont.)
• Greater Creativity:
– Written communication involves more
creative efforts of the mind
– In report writing, for example, there is
little message exchange. The final
words are carefully though out.
– Letter writing may involve some
exchanges, but even then the messages
are deliberate and creative.
32
The model and written
communication (Cont.)
• Time Lag:
– Time delays occur in moving written messages
to others’ sensory environments.
– Feedback is slow.
• Limited Number of Cycles:
– Written communication has fewer cycles.
– Most writing involves only one cycle.
33
Universal Ingredients of
Human Communication
• Human communication ahs four
universal ingredients:
–
–
–
–
The communication environment,
The Mental Filter,
The encoding, and
decoding process.
34
Some fundamental truths of
communication
1. Communication is imperfect:
–
Communication is imperfect
–
Symbols are imprecise, and
–
peoples’ encoding skills vary.
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Some fundamental truths of
communication (Cont.)
2. We communicate about ourselves:
–
–
–
We project ourselves into our
communications
The symbols we select for a message
tells how we feel.
We communicate based on only a small
part of reality
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Some fundamental truths of
communication (Cont.)
3. Meaning is in the mind:
•
•
•
People have meanings but symbols do
not
Communication is successful when two
people give similar meanings to
symbols.
Emphasize the intended meaning in
the sender’s mind – not the meaning
received in your mind.
37
Questions
a. Explain the model of communication
with a clear diagram.
b. What are common misconceptions
about communication?
c. What are universal ingredients of
communication?
d. What is the difference between
written and oral communication model?
38
Thank You
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