Lesson 1

Communication
Processes and Principles
OVERVIEW KEY OUTCOMES

Communication is an integral aspect of living_ of being At the end of this lesson, as a pre-service
human. It occupies a large chunk of your day. Intrinsically, teacher (PST), you must have…
you feel the need to express yourself—your thoughts,
 explained the communication
ideas, perspectives, emotions, etc.—and to interact with
process across contexts;
others with a purpose (i.e., to seek or share information, to
 analyzed the role of communication
persuade, to request). Your ability to communicate participants in achieving effective
effectively enables you to establish connections and communication;
rapport with the other people. Mastering the skill of  proposed commendable ways to
getting your ideas across will allow you to share them overcome communication barriers;
 laid out varied communication
clearly to your interlocutor (audience). According to Paul J.
situations purposively;
Meyer, communication is the key to personal and  elucidated the principles of
professional success. Whatever path you follow in any communication; and
stage of your life, your communication skills will propel  illustrated examples to actualize
your progress at every phase. However, failure to some key communication principles.
communicate or overcome communication difficulties
when they arise can create dilemmas and hinder your
success. Making you learn to communicate effectively by
exposing you to the nature of communication—its
processes and elements—and the various contexts and
principles by which communication and communication
difficulties can occur is the major focus of this lesson.

STIMULATING ACTIVITY
Directions: Read the following scenario and reflect on the following questions.

A group of six members played the game, "Telephone." The members started by lining up or sitting in a
circle. One member was assigned to think of a phrase and let him or her whisper it in the next person's ear.
The next person then whispered the phrase he or she heard to the next person, and so on, until it reached
the last member in the group. The last person then said the phrase out loud and verified from the member
who gave the phrase or sentence if it was correct or if something had been changed.

1. In the "Telephone" game, do you think the original message will always be retained? If
yes, what do you think influenced this effective transmission of information? If not, what
possibly caused the changes in the transmission of the message?
2. Do you think the group members encountered any other difficulties when doing the
activity? What were they?
3. What considerations or steps could be taken to overcome the difficulties met?
4. Why is it important to solve such difficulties?
 OPTIONAL ONLINE GUIDE
Search the link, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdbL7jJb3JE , for
a quick guide to the definition of communication.

The given scenario above reflects the processes and outworking of communication. Answer
the following questions briefly as you head on your way.
1. How then do you define communication in light of your reflection above?
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2. In your previous years of study in high school, what do you think are the types of
communication?
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3. Do you consider the interaction with a computer real communication? Justify your answer.
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4. What can you infer about the nature and process of communication from previous
exercises?
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ACTIVE READING
Studying about communication would encourage you to find more and
better ways to communicate your thoughts effectively and connect Annotate here…
meaningfully with others. It is often useful to revisit the meanings with
order to understand what good communication entails and how
complicated the mechanism you are engaging in as you interact with
others. Etymologically, communication derives from the Latin term
communicare, first used in 1529, and implies "trade" archaically (Meriam
Webster, Incorporated, 2017). The word's basic definition is "to make
common to many" or "to impart" (Chambers Etymology Dictionary, as
quoted by WordPress.com, 2011). From these basic communication
concepts we continue to more detailed meanings and explanations as
proposed and documented by numerous authors:

a) "Communication is [sometimes] defined as the process of sending

and receiving messages" (Satterwhite & Olson-Sutton, 2007).
b) "Communication is the process of using verbal and nonverbal
messages to generate meaning within and across various contexts,
cultures, and channels" (Engelberg & Wynn, 2008).
c) "Communication [is] the transactional process by which people,
interacting in a particular context, negotiate the meanings of verbal
and nonverbal symbols in order to achieve shared understanding"
(Hamilton & Creel, 2011).
 d) "Communication is the process of transferring information and
Annotate here… meaning between senders and receivers, using one or more
written, oral, visual, or electronic media" (Bovee & Thill, 2014).

Through the above concepts, the main features, characteristics and

values underlying communication can be defined. Clearly let us address
them below.

ELEMENTS OF COMMUNICATION
1. Sender/Receiver. The sender is the person who initiates the
communication process and points forth the message's intent. The
receiver, on the other side, is the one the message is meant for and
delivered to.
2. Message. The message contains the information, thoughts, and
feelings in the communication process that a communicator
expresses to the other participant.
3. Channel/Medium. The channel or medium describes how they
transmit the message.
4. Feedback. The feedback is the receiver's response to the sent
message. This makes communication a two-way process.
5. Context. Context affects the way communicators send and receive
messages. It refers to the circumstances—situation, condition,
environment—where communication occurs.
6. Noise. Noise is defined as an impediment to successful
communication. It is anything that hinders shared understanding.
Generally, noise is classified as external, internal, and semantic.
a. External noise originates from the communicators' surroundings
or environment.
b. Internal noise includes anything that is self-related--your
attitudes, opinions, beliefs—that may hamper effective sending
and receiving of messages.
c. Semantic noise gets in the way when the sender and receiver do
not share the same meanings for their verbal or nonverbal
signals. In other words understanding a particular word or
gesture differently from that of the person you are speaking
with can create semantic noise.

It is crucial that for effective communication to occur, awareness of

possible differences and active listening, coupled with concentration, be
part of the equation when communicating.
7. Frame of Reference/Field of Reference . Communicators bring into their
interactions their own value system or culture, preferences,
worldviews, self-concept, expectations, and experiences. These factors
make every communicator unique.

CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMUNICATION
1. Communication is a process. Communication is a process because
there is a transmission of thoughts, ideas, and emotions that happens.
Three models of communication are often cited for how they present and
break down the communication process. These are the linear model, the
interactive model, and the transactional model.
a. Linear/Transmission Model. The earliest and most influential model
of communication is called the linear model. This model views
communication as one-way or a linear transmission of messages (see
Figure 1). This traditional model has identified components required
in order for communication to take place: sender, message, channel, Annotate here…
receiver, and noise. The missing link in the linear model is feedback,
which could reveal how effectively the message is transmitted. Since
the linear model illustrates a one-way flow of communication, it thus
projects an active sender but a passive receiver.

Figure 1. Linear/Transmission Model of Communication

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kSq5lw1qDUk

b. Interactive Model. The interactive model shows that

communication is a two-way process, for it recognizes
the presence of feedback. This means that there is
message going both ways (see Figure 2). The sender
gives off a message to the receiver, who then responds
and becomes the sender, and so on. However, although
feedback is present, it is not simultaneous (International
Association of Communication Activists). The model also
has an added concept, "field of experience," which
acknowledges that people integrate into the
communication process their own cultural upbringing or
background and general experiences.

Figure 2. Interactive Model of Communication

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ml5tieIioLc

c. Transactional Model. The transactional model suggests that

communication is essentially not a solo endeavor. Rather,
the people involved engage in a transaction, making
communication simultaneous (see Figure 3). Aside from the
elements mentioned in the previous models, the transaction
model also looks into the importance of context, which
makes communication adapt to the situation or condition
involved in the process.
Annotate here…

Figure 3. Transaction Model

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yxyuPO451ZU

2. Communication necessitates negotiation of meanings of symbols . Two

of the foregoing definitions specify that communicators “use" and/or
negotiate the meanings of verbal and nonverbal symbols." The information
that is exchanged can be comprised of a range of feelings, thoughts, wants,
needs, and intentions. These may or may not be explicitly expressed or
articulated in words. Their representations are called symbols.
3. Communication is contextual. Another characteristic of
communication reflected in the definitions and stressed in the
transactional model is that communication occurs in a context. There are
three general types of contexts:
a. Psychosocial Context. This type of context draws on the interaction
among the emotional history, social relationships, and cultural capital of
the participants. Variables, such as age, sex, gender preference, religion,
and socioeconomic status are all considered in this category.
b. Logistical Context. This is also termed as the physical context and is
concerned with the setting (time and place) and occasion.
c. Interactional Context. The various compositions or classifications of
interaction dictate the style of communication that is employed by
the communication participants. This is what is regarded as
interactional context. There are six major categories of interactional
context:
 Intrapersonal context. The idea behind intrapersonal context is
"self-talk" or inner speech, which reflects your own self-concept
or your overall understanding of yourself.
 Interpersonal context. This refers to communication between
people, usually dyads: two people interacting to accomplish a
particular task or purpose.
 Group context. This communication transpires when more than
two people, usually three to seven, interact to carry out a
common goal.
 Organizational context. This context is related to workplace
communication, which exposes one or more individuals to
several communicative opportunities among individuals, dyads,
and groups.
 Public or presentational context. In this type of context, a single
speaker creates meaning with the audience, which can range
from literally few to tremendously large in number who are
present at the delivery of the message.
  Mass communication context. In contrast to the presentational
context, the context of mass communication is characterized by an Annotate here…
individual or a network sharing a message with an audience that is not
directly present and often unknown. More often than not, the sender
of the message cannot see or observe how the audience reacts.

VERBAL COMMUNICATION
Spoken and written words refer to verbal symbols. The use of spoken or
written symbols in making and interpreting meanings is called verbal
communication.
a. Written Communication. If you need a permanent record or proof
of the interaction, if the content of your message is complex and
confidential, and if you want a formal response, you should opt for
written communication (Satterwhite & Olson-Sutton, 2007).
b. Spoken or Oral Communication. If your reasons for communicating
are the opposite of the conditions presented for written
communication, spoken communication will work. The spoken
form is also characterized as more fluid and simultaneous
compared with the written form.

NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Nonverbal messages are comprised of signals, characterized as visual,
audible, and movement clues. Vocal tones (and any other paralinguistic
features, such as pitch, stress, intonation patterns, and juncture), facial
expressions, eye contact, gestures, body movements, physical appearance,
and manners are all examples of nonverbal representations. The use of
these symbolic or physical behaviors, other than written or spoken
language, is called nonverbal communication.
FORMAL COMMUNICATION
Formal communication is based on specified and standardized
guidelines, channels, and systems. It is practiced in an organizational,
business, and formal environment and includes the sending and receiving
of official, sometimes confidential and sensitive information.
.

INFORMAL COMMUNICATION
Informal communication is the typical, personal face-to-face
communication that happens between friends and family members. Unlike
formal communication, it is free from any guidelines or organizational rules.

INTENTIONAL COMMUNICATION
The words and signals used in communication have their intended
meanings. Intentional communication happens when the communicators
are aware of their own purposes and how their words and actions might
impact others.

UNINTENTIONAL COMMUNICATION
When communication is not purposeful, it is unintentional. This
happens in cases where messages are not intended to be sent or have
reached the wrong receiver. Although this may be possible for both verbal
and nonverbal forms, unintentional communication is common and
considered an issue in the use of nonverbal behaviors.
 4. The goal of communication is shared understanding. Successful,
Annotate here… effective communication entails that the participants in the
communication process have achieved common, mutual, or shared
understanding of the matter/s at hand, comprised of the thoughts and
emotions involved in the process.

PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNICATION
Communication is the heart of human interaction. Success in communication
depends on our ability to interact with others. To attain effective
communication, we must know and apply the basic principles of
communication. The principles are stated below.

Communication is purposeful. Basically, people communicate for a

reason and that reason has a purpose. According to Baba
(http://www.wecommunication.blogspot.com), when we speak or write,
we are trying to send some trying to accomplish some goals.
General purposes seem relatively common to all forms of communication:
1. To learn: to acquire knowledge of others, the world, and ourselves;
2. To relate: to form relationships with others;
3. To interact with others as individuals;
4. To help: to assist others by listening, offering solutions;
5. To influence: to strengthen or change the attitudes or behaviors of
others; and
6. To entertain: to enjoy the experience of the moment.

We can say that humans cannot live without communication; thus, we

can say that communication is certainly purposive.

Communication is adaptive. Most of us are using verbal communication:

written or spoken complemented with non-verbal communication to interact
with others. However, not all of us are gifted to be able to communicate using
verbal communication symbols. There are also many people who possess
disabilities or impairments in their communication system, like the most
common impairment—deafness. People who are capable of communicating
normally need to adjust themselves in communicating to the disabled. Hence,
adaptive communication may come into the picture purposively. Adaptive
communication is designed to provide someone with the ability to
communicate with others even if they cannot engage in spoken
communication (http://www.wisegeekhealth.com). To achieve effective
communication, one has to adapt to overcome some barriers and make
communication to successfully take place.

Communication is dynamic. Communication is not static; in the process, it is

always changing from time to time. Communication is directly proportional to
people's behaviors. Understandably, as behavior changes communication also
changes constantly. To become an effective communicator, one must be
versatile in the sense that they can divert themselves or can go or blend with
this generation.

Communication is systematic. There is no communication without those

elements of communication. Each of the elements has its own function, and
all elements work interdependently to make communication successful. To
avoid miscommunication, there must be coordination and understanding to
one another, hence effective communication can be achieved.
Whatever principles we may use, in the end, it is us who would make
communication effective.
FOLLOW-UP TASK
Directions: Create a comprehensive graphic organizer showing the intricate relationships of
these communication principles and processes, You may either draw, or print and paste your
output here. Below write a one-paragraph, concise explanation of the interflows of the
processes and principles. Refer to the rubric found in the appendix for this task (50 pts).
 EVALUATION
Directions: Answer the questions briefly in light of your understanding of communication principles and processes.
(15 pts)

1. As a future educator, what will you do if there is a breakdown in communication

between at work? (3 pts)
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2. “Actions speak louder than words.” What does this saying have to say about the nature
and characteristics of communication? (3 pts)
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3. Describe a time when you had to be careful talking about sensitive information. How did
you do it? (3 pts)
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4. How do you think nonverbal communication regulates the conversational flow? (3 pts)
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5. Display of feelings vary by culture. What are the implications of this in our
communication with people from different cultures? (3 pts)
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EXTRA GEARS

Read and watch the following articles and videos in the specified website.
See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qFWsTsvJ8Xw
The Recipe for Great Communication
See: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1q1nAhZuqE
10 Barriers to Effective Communication
See: https://uwaterloo.ca/centre-for-teaching-excellence/teaching-resources/teaching-tips/com
municating-students/telling/effective-communication-barriers-and-strategies
Effective Communication: Barriers and Strategies

REFERENCES

 Pilapil, E., Pesirla, A., Licen, C. R., Cañezo, Jr., V., Graber, J., Lubrio, S. M., Tibus, E.,
___Paquibulan, P. N., & Picardal, R. (2018). Purposive Communication (pp. 2–20).
___Mutya Publishing House, Inc.
 Health Knowledge. (2010, June 28). Principles, theories and methods of effective
___communication (written and oral) in general, and in a management context .
___http://healthknowledge.org.uk/public-health-textbook/organisation-manageme
___nt/5a-understanding-itd/effective-communication .