COMMUNICATION

Points of Convergence Communication is a Process Communication is Transactional Communication is Symbolic Points of Divergence Communication is a Social Activity Communication and Intention

DEFINITION & CONCEPTS

COMMUNICATION
Points of Convergence: PROCESS
we view the events and relationships as dynamic, ongoing, ever-changing, continuous. When we label something as a process we also mean that it doesnt have beginning, an end, a fixed sequence of events. Its not static, at rest. It is moving. The ingredients within a process interact; each affects all others. David Berlo (1960)

DEFINITION & CONCEPTS

It is continuous, complex, cant be arbitrarily isolated, and unfo over time.

When we look communication as a process, interactions are influenced in complex ways by the past and will also have important implications for the future. Linear: SOURCE to RECEIV Laswells classic model of Communication: WHO? SAYS WHAT? TO WHOM? THROUGH WHAT PROCESS CHANNEL? WITH WHAT

Points of Convergence:

nts of Convergence: TRANSACTIONAL

COMMUNICATION
ACTION A Source presenting a Message to a Receiver; Not consider the reaction/feedback of the audience; Hypodermic Needle model or Magic Bullet model INTERACTION Considers the importance of Feedback from the Receiver; Look at not only the Message of the Source but also the Reaction of the Receiver TRANSACTIONAL Includes the important role of Feedback; Looks at both parties simultaneously; emphasizes the importance of context

DEFINITION & CONCEPTS

People are simultaneously acting as Source and Receiver in many communication situations. A person is giving feedback, talking, responding, acting, and reacting continually through a communication event. Each person is constantly participating in the communication activity. All of these things can alter the other elements in the process and create a completely different communication event. BURGOON and Points of Convergence: TRANSACTIONAL RUFFNER (1978)

COMMUNICATION
Points of Convergence: SYMBOLIC
Communication requires signs and symbols that have relationships to referents that are to some extent arbitrary. Semiotics is the study of signs and symbols that are used in language.
Sign is the relationship between the signifier and signified. The relationship is obviously not a perfect one-to-one correspondence and is often an arbitrary relationship in that there is no natural correspondence.

DEFINITION & CONCEPTS

A sign signals the presence of something else.

Philosophy in a New Key, Langer

Symbols are not proxy of their objects, but are vehicles for the conception of objects. Symbols hold an arbitrary, rather than natural, relationship to what is symbolized, and a symbol has no inherent meaning.

Points of Convergence: SYMBOLIC

The relationship between the symbol and referent is arbitrary. But, with most symbols, some degree of shared meaning exists between interactants because the symbols are developed through shared social experience and exist within a system of other symbols. Do symbols hold any stable meanings?

Points of Convergence: SYMBOLIC

Points of Divergence: SOCIAL ACTIVITY

COMMUNICATION
(1) It does not discount the importance of cognitive and internal psychological states in the communication process. (2) It emphasizes the point that communication is a critical part of social commerce and that through communication we seek to have an impact on the people around us. When we see communication as an interpersonal activity, the question arises of what communication is doing in that relationship?

DEFINITION & CONCEPTS

ints of Divergence: COMMUNICATION AND INTENT

COMMUNICATION
You cannot not communicate. The Pragmatics of Human Communication, Watzlawick, Beavin, and Jackson (1967) When we see communication as an interpersonal activity, the question arises of what communication is doing in that relationship?

DEFINITION & CONCEPTS

COMMUNICATION
Sender Message Code or commonly accepted symbol Channel Receiver Feedback Noise or unwanted interruptions Regulators

ELEMENTS OF

COMMUNICATION
MASS COMMUNICATION
Technology assisted process by which messages are sent to large, faraway audiences or market

TYPES OF

When is the audience large/mass? (1)Face-to face communication is impossible. (2)Composition is eclectic heterogeneous; spread out in different locations. (3)Mass members are anonymous to the communicator, who d know whether message(s) sent were received or not.

COMMUNICATION
MASS COMMUNICATION
Technology assisted process by which messages are sent to large, faraway audiences or market

TYPES OF

3 CHARACTERISTICS: (1) The message is delivered rapidly. (2) The message reaches large groups of different of people simultaneously or within a short period of time. (3) The message is sent out using some form of mass med

MASS MEDIA

MASS MEDIA

DEFINITION & CONCEPTS

The vehicles through which messages are disseminated to mass audience. MAJOR CATEGORIES: (1)Print (2)Film/ Motion Picture (3)Broadcast Radio, Television (4)Internet CHARACTERISTICS OF MASS MEDIA: (1) Communications are mass produce and disseminated rapid (2) Use of costly and complex technology, requiring specialized engineers, technicians. (2) Employment of professional communicators who make cho about what their audiences will see, hear or read.