Communication

Sharing ones thoughts, opinions, ideas

A process of transferring information from one entity to another.
the imparting or interchange of thoughts, opinions or information by speech, writing or signs.
Communication is the exchange and flow of information and ideas from one person to another;
it involves a sender transmitting an idea, information, or feeling to a receiver (U.S. Army, 1983)
Effective communication occurs only if the receiver understands the exact information or idea
that the sender intended to transmit.
Communication is a process by which we assign and convey meaning in an attempt to create
shared understanding.

Goals of Communication

To seek understanding
To elicit response
To be understood
To share
To express ourselves
To entertain people

Types of Communication

Interpersonal communication
The act of communicating with others
Intrapersonal
The act of communicating with ones self.
Group Communication
The type of communication which is composed of three to six people having the same objectives
and goals.
Public Communication
A Type of Communication in which the speaker has a wide range of audience.

Communication Process

Communication is a process whereby information is enclosed in a package and is channeled and

imparted by a sender to a receiver via some medium. The receiver then decodes the message and gives
the sender a feedback.

Process of Communication

message

sender receiver

feedback
sender- the one who gives the message

message- the things to be conveyed or shared or told

receiver- the audience or the one whom message is intended to

feedback- the receiver of the messages reply

Different Models of Communication

Harold Lasswells Model of Communication

who What channel whom = effect

(speaker) (message) (medium) (audience)

Who says what to whom in what channel with what effect.

Shannon and Weaver Model, 1949

Information source transmitter channel receiver Destination

Message mouth signal received signal message

Schramms Model of Communication

Message

Encoder decoder

Interpreter interpreter

Decoder encoder

Message
David K. Berlos Model of Communication

Source encodes message channel decodes receiver

Communication skills content hearing Communication skills

Attitudes elements seeing attitudes

Knowledge treatment touching knowledge

Social system structure smelling social system

Culture code tasting culture

Factors Affecting Communication

Noise

Equipment or environmental noise impedes clear communication. The sender and the receiver
must be able to concentrate on the messages.

Culture, background and bias

We allow our past experiences to change the meaning of the message. Our culture, background
and bias can be good as they allow us to use our past experiences to understand something new, it is
when they change the meaning of the message that they interfere with the communication process.

Ourselves

Focusing to ourselves, rather than the other person can lead to confusion and conflict. The Me
Generation is out when it comes to effective communication. Some of the factors that cause this are
defensiveness, superiority, and ego.

Perception

If we feel the person is talking to fast, not fluently, does not articulate clearly, etc, we may
dismiss the person. We listen uncritically to persons of high status and dismiss those of low status.

Message

Distractions happen when we focus on the facts rather than the idea. Semantic distractions
occur when a word is used differently from what you prefer.

Environmental

Bright lights, an attractive person, unusual sights or any other stimulus provides a potential
distraction.

Stress

People do not see things the same way when under stress.
Listening

Hearing with a purpose/intention/objective

The act of hearing attentively

What does it mean to really listen?

Real listening is an active process that has 3 basic steps.

Hearing
Listening to catch what the speaker is saying
Understanding
Interpreting what the speaker is saying
Judging
Think about whether what you hear make sense

Tips on being a good listener

Give your full attention

Make sure your mind is focused
Let the speaker finish before you begin to talk
Let yourself finish listening before you begin to speak
Listen for main ideas
Give feedback

Types of Listening

Passive Listening
Nothing of the speakers words go into the mind of the listener
Marginal Listening
Selective Listening
Only bits of information are received
The listener maybe missing out important part of the speakers message
Projective Listening
The listener takes and absorbs the information in accordance with the listeners own view or
perspective of the speaker
Empathetic/ Sympathetic Listening
Sensitive listening
Putting oneself in the speakers shoes
Active Listening
Attentive Listening
Listener is active
Evaluative Listening
Assesses what the speaker mean
Fake Listening
Pseudo Listening
Listening just to please the speaker
Informative Listening
Message is understood almost close to what is intended
 Discriminative Listening
Sensitive to the changes in the speakers rate, volume force, pitch and stress on different words
or ideas
Critical
The listener thinks if what he/she he hears is right
Whole Person
This is done by a psychologists, psychiatrist and guidance counselor for them to judge their
client based on their actions, emotions and others.
Reflective
The listener thinks about what the speaker said and tries to look at things in his/her perspective

Literal Listening
Content only is taken

Other types of Listening

Biased Listening
Relationship
Therapeutic
Initial
Dialogic
Appreciative
Partial/Passive
Competitive
High Integrity
Literal