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Lecture One

This lecture introduces communication theory and the communication process. It defines communication and discusses its elements like the sender, receiver, message, channel, and feedback. It also covers communication models and functions.

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stephanie halima
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61 views8 pages

Lecture One

This lecture introduces communication theory and the communication process. It defines communication and discusses its elements like the sender, receiver, message, channel, and feedback. It also covers communication models and functions.

Uploaded by

stephanie halima
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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LECTURE ONE: COMMUNICATION THEORY

INTRODUCTION

In this lecture we are going to introduce you to the theory of communication. As a


human being you have to communicate. Communication is a key element in any human
activity. Communication is a learned skill. However, while most people are born with
the physical ability to talk, not all can communicate well unless they make special efforts
to develop and refine this communication skill. Very often, we take the ease with which
we communicate with each other for granted, so much so that we sometimes forget how
complex the communication process actually is. Communication takes place when we are
supposedly at the same level of understanding and comprehension as other interlocutors.
Common forms of communication include speaking, writing, gestures, touch, using
pictures and broadcasting. Communication is therefore not what is said whether verbally
or non-verbally, but what is understood.

EXPECTED LEARNING OUTCOMES

By the end of this lecture you should be able to:

1. Define communication

2. List and explain the elements of communication

3. Describe representative models of the communication process

4. Draw your own model of the communication process

5. List the functions of communication


What is communication?

Different sources have defined communication as:

Communication is a word derived from the Latin word communis or


commūnicāre, which means ‘to make common’ or ‘to share’.
Gamble and Gamble (1993) defines Communication as the act of conveying
intended meaning to another person through the use of mutually understood
signs and language.
The Oxford Dictionary defines Communication as the art of transmitting
information, ideas and attitudes from one person to another.
It is the process of meaningful interaction among human beings, that is ,
the forming of communicative intent, message composition, message encoding,
and transmission of signal, reception of signal, message decoding and finally
interpretation of the message by the recipient.

Simply put communication is

The act of transferring information from one place to another or from one entity
to another.

e.g. When you call or talk verbally to your somebody, then you are said to be
communicating with him.

Characteristics of Communication

These include:

Communication is a process: Communication is a two way process which


involves listening to others receiving message, expressing or sending feedback.

2. Communication is dynamic: It keeps changing and moving forward at the same time
depending on the variables at play.

3. Communication is a complex a process. A two-way process where the participants


not only reach mutual understanding through exchange of information but also create
and share meaning. It involves the sharing of information using a code.

Functions of communication

Why do human beings communicate


Some of the reasons why we must communicate:

To change in behavior
To influence others
To express our thoughts and emotions through words and actions
It is a tool for controlling and motivating people
It is a social and emotional process.

ELEMENTS OF COMMUNICATION

We have models which try to explain the communication process (a model is an


explanation of the occurrences in a phenomenon).
Elements of communication have been explained in different models which try to
explain the communication process as a two-way process that results in a shared
meaning or common understanding between the sender and the receiver. An
understanding of how communication works can help us to understand and
improve our communication.
Elements of communication enable us to understand how communication works.
The basic communication model consists of five elements of communication
namely :
the sender (source), the receiver, the message, the channel and feedback.

Source

This is the origin (ator), sender or encoder of any communication process.


The source who gets the urge that necessitates communication for the purpose of
satisfying that urge.
Note: the stronger the stimulus or the urge, the greater the need to communicate
and the greater the need to communicate, the more the need is for effectiveness.

What is Encoding? This is the process of putting one’s thoughts into words. It is packaging
of information in a form that it will be understood by the receiver. Encoder is that
person who translates his thoughts into meaningful words.

Receiver

This is the person to whom the message is targeted.


The receiver can be one person or many people.
The eventual recipient of the message.
The decoder of the message

What is Decoding? This is of the process of giving meaning to the encoded


message that is, interpreting, analyzing or extracting the embedded meaning of
message sent by the sender.

Noise

Noise is anything that interferes with a communication process.


It refers to barriers to communication that contribute towards total or partial loss
or failure of the communication-Those features that act as blocks to the desired
outcome of any communication process. Noise can be internal (headache, hunger,
illness) or external (hooting of cars, shouting, unpleasant sights).

Message

The message is the most fundamental element of effective communication.


A message can come in various forms, such as an oral presentation, a written
document, an advertisement or just a comment.
It is referred to as content of interaction.
The message is not necessarily what the sender intends it to be.
The message is what the receiver perceives the message to be.
Therefore the sender must not only compose the message carefully, but also
assess the ways in which the message can be interpreted.

Channel

The channel or medium of communication is the means or methods via which a


message is relayed from the sender to the receiver.
The message moves from one point to another through a channel of
communication.
It sits between the sender and receiver.
There are many channels of communication channels that range from the spoken
word to radio, television, Internet, written word like letter or magazine.

Every channel of communication has its advantages and disadvantages:-

Give an example showing its advantage and disadvantage

Feedback
Feedback is an important element in effective communication.
It is the response from the receiver to the source, the receiver's response or
reaction or action to the sender's message.
The receiver can pass on feedback through asking questions, making comments or
just supporting the message that was delivered.
Feedback helps the sender to determine how the receiver interpreted the message
received and how it can be improved.
Lack of feedback may lead to communication breakdown.
Feedback given determines the direction a communication process takes.

Context

This is the time or place where communication occurs


The environment appropriate for communication to take place.
It involves the 5WH-;
Who
When
Where
Why
What
and
How- a communication occurs.

The Process of Communication

The process of communication comprises a sender who has a message he desires to


transmit through a means or channel to a receiver who gives a response.

This process can be explained in form of a model as below. The purpose of a ‘model’ is
to offer a visual representation of a concept with the intent of facilitating its
understanding. Models of communication refers to the conceptual model used to explain
the human communication process.
ACTIVITIES

1. What is your definition of communication?


2. Draw a simple model of the communication process to
demonstrate your
Understanding of communication.
3. What are the functions of communication?
4. What are the common symbols and signs that we use in
interpersonal
Communication?
SUMMARY OF THE LECTURE

In this lecture,
We have defined communication as a process of
sharing or exchange of ideas, information, knowledge,
attitude or feeling among two or more persons
through certain signs, symbols and behavior.
The characteristics and functions of communication
are outlined.
The elements in the communication process are
source, context, message, channel, receiver, feedback
and barriers.
A Model is defined as a pictorial representation of the
communication process. A simple model of
communication is presented.

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