SH1709

The Nature and Elements of Communication

Communication
• Communication is any process in which people, through the use of symbols, verbally and/or
nonverbally, consciously or not consciously, intentionally or unintentionally, generate
meanings, (information, ideas, feelings, and perceptions) within and across various contexts.
Cultures, channels, and media (Hybels & Weaver II, 2009).
• Communication is a systematic process in which people interact with and through symbols to
create and interpret meanings (Wood, 2009).
• Communication is a process by which verbal and nonverbal symbols are sent, received, and
give meaning (Seiler, 1988).
• Communication is “the act or process of using words, sounds, signs, or behaviors to express or
exchange information or for expressing your ideas, thoughts, feelings, etc., to someone else”.
• It is “the exchange of thoughts, messages, or information, as by speech, signals, writing, or
behavior”.

Elements of Communication

For communication to take place, there must be five (5) factors involved:

The sender – is the speaker or the communicator who has his/her own purpose, knowledge, interests,
attitudes, skills, and credibility.
The message – is the idea being transmitted by the sender to the listener. It includes the three (3) aspects
of content, structure, and style.
The channel – is the medium or vehicle through which the message is sent. It may be verbal or visual.
The latter is often supplemented with the pictorial and aural channels.
The receiver – is the target of the communication. S/he is the destination of the message, the listener,
with his/her own purposes, knowledge and interest levels, attitudes, and listening skills.

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Feedback – is the reaction given by the listener to the sender of the message. It is what completes the
communication process.

The Communication Process

According to Menoy (2010), communication is a process and, as such, it comes in stages. It starts with
the encoding and ends with the decoding. The encoder is more popularly known as the sender of the
message. He transmits his message (for example, an idea) to the receiver, a more popular term for the
decoder of the message. The recipient tries to understand the message, and if he does, communication
takes place. He may then give his feedback. If there is a continuous exchange of messages between the
sender and the receiver, particularly in an oral discourse, communication takes the form of a cycle.

Menoy (2010) adds that in cases where there is a channel (medium or instrument used in the
transmission of the message, for example, a telephone) of communication, it forms part of the diagram.

Sender and receiver are the people engaged in the communication process. They are the
communicators.

Message is any idea or feeling that the communicators share with each other.

There are varied channel categories: verbal, nonverbal, personal, non-personal, etc. It is the medium
through which communication is transmitted from one person to the receiver. It may be categorized as
oral or written. It may also be classified as formal or informal. Common channels include the telephone
and a variety of written forms such as memos, letters, and reports. It may also be the paper on which
words are written, or the Internet acting in the client-server model that is allowing you read
information.

Feedback is a signal which may be verbal and nonverbal that the recipient of the message exhibits as
a response to the message sent by the source/sender.

Model of Communication

Aristotle's Model of Communication (Before 300 BC) is the earliest known communication model. It
is an example of a Linear Model or a one-way process of communication in which one person – the
sender, usually a speaker – gives a message or speech to a person or group of people (the audience)
for a certain effect (purpose).

http://communicationtheory.org/aristotle%E2%80%99s-communication-model/

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This model is, perhaps more acceptable in public speaking than in interpersonal communication in
contexts when the immediate feedback from the audience or receiver is not expected. Nevertheless,
this may not account for the existence of Effect – the intended of the purpose or desired result of
communication. It is through feedback or audience reaction that effect may be judged.
• Linear models such as Aristotle’s Model, the Laswell’s Model (1948), and the Shannon-
Weaver (a949) diagram show the progress of communication in one direction, that is, from the
sender to the receiver. The sender remains a sender and does not become a listener in the
process. Other scholars do not agree with this idea.
• The Schramm Model (1954) is an example of the Interactive Model of Communication where
feedback from the receiver was added. In other words, the listener or the audience gives
feedback, and in the process, does not remain a passive recipient of the message. The listener
becomes a sender too and the roles reverse. that is, the sender becomes a listener; then, the
listener becomes a speaker by giving feedback. The interactive model also shows the role of
the Field of Experience of both the sender and the receiver. They better understand each other
if their field of experience overlap or when they share experiences. Likewise, misunderstanding
can occur when they come from different fields of experience.
• Feedback may be verbal or nonverbal, intentional or unintentional (Wood, 2009).
• As the process of communication becomes vicious and recursive since the sender and the
listener actively take turns in the process, there being senders and listeners happen
simultaneously. The process becomes dynamic. Noise comes in also.
• The Transactional Model of Communication captures the dynamic relationship between the
sender and the receiver and their complex relationship. It also shows the interplay of time and
noise in the process.
• The process of communication happens within systems or contexts that affect the process and
the sending and interpretation of meanings. People from different systems and field of
experience can likely have misunderstandings, but a consideration of these factors can also
preempt the likelihood of its occurrence.
• Systems or contexts may include culture, geographical location, and origin. Systems may also
be personal systems such as clan or family origin, religious affiliations, friends or cliques, etc.
• In the Transactional Model of Communication, the persons involved are called communicators,
inasmuch as both of them are senders and receivers at the same time.
• Over time, the process of communication changes; the roles of the communicators change, and
their interpretation of the message or the meaning they attach to the message also changes.

Tenets of Communication

1. Lee McGaan’s Four (4) C's of effective communication

Commitment – all members of the organization must exhibit commitment to the idea that
effective communication is a high priority in their jobs.
Context – the sender and the receiver, as much as possible, should operate in the same context
or at least understand the similarity and differences of their respective contexts to address any
occurrence of misunderstanding. They should share vital information to perform their jobs and
functions more efficiently.

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Consistency – important processes and procedures as well as themes, goals, and perspectives
should be communicated properly and performed repeatedly to be understood, remembered,
and acted upon judiciously.
Concern – “Communicators, especially leaders, must be a concern with the receiver’s point-
of-view first”. Effective communicator preempts likely misunderstanding bu ensuring that the
sender has the big responsibility in setting clear, meaningful, and appropriate communications.
They are concerned not only with the content of the message but with what those messages
convey about themselves as senders and their relationship with the receiver. They also consider
that the receivers should not be blamed solely when communication fails.

2. Effective communication, according to Rich Maggiani, must adhere to these ten tenets.
Effective communication is:
o Honest
o Clear
o Accurate
o Comprehensive
o Accessible
o Concise
o Correct
o Timely
o Well designed
o Builds goodwill

3. Five Axioms of Communication (Gamble and Gamble)

o You can not communicate.
o Every interaction has a content dimension and a relationship dimension.
o Every interaction is defined by how it is punctuated.
o Messages consist of verbal symbols and nonverbal cues.
o Interactions are either symmetrical or complementary.

Non-Verbal Communication

This is a type of communication that does not make use of words. The message is communicated by
the use of hands, head, feet, and other parts of the human body. It is similar to the sign language
employed by the mute to communicate their thoughts and feelings to people they deal with. Non-verbal
communication may take the form of conventional gestures such as the nodding of the head to show
approval or agreement.

Types of Non-Verbal Communication

Chronemics – the study of the time element in communication. The length of the time a speaker talks
and the rate with which the talks are the concerns of chronemics. The speaker does not own all the
listener’s time so he has to limit his speech to the time allotted for his speech or to an appropriate
length.

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Haptics – The study of the touch element in communication. A speaker close to a listener can touch
the latter. The kind and duration of touch (for example, a gentle tap on one’s shoulder) and the part of
the body (for example, the cheek) touched play a significant role in non-verbal communication.

Oculetics – The study of eye contact in communication. A speaker’s sincerity is sometimes gauged by
means of eye contact he has with a listener. A speaker who looks at his listener/s straight in the eye
must be true to his words, whereas one who avoids looking at his listener/s must be lying. A good
speaker always maintains eye contact also matters for along stare at the listener/s may be irritating;
however, a short glance at the audience once in a while may be enough.

Proxemics – the study of proximity between the parties to a communication. A speaker should be
aware of social distance or the amount of space between him and the listener/s. Intimacy is conveyed
by the interlocutors who are positioned next to each other. The nearer the communicator are, the more
intimate they are (for example, a mother and daughter). The farther the communicators are, the less
intimate they are (for example, a teacher and a student).

Kinesics – the study of movements used in communication. A speaker must be always on guard of the
movements of his head, hands, hips, feet, and the like. These movements of the body parts called
gestures convey meanings so when they are wrongly executed, they can cause confusion or spell
problems or trouble on the part of the speaker.

Objectics – the study of objects or artifacts used in communication. Objects such as specimens and
graphic aids, as well as artifacts, are used by many public speakers. This object does not only clarify
the meaning of the spoken words. They also serve to reinforce or replace the spoken words.

Effective Communication
In the information age, we have to send, receive, and process huge numbers of messages every day.
But effective communication is about more than just exchanging information; it's also about
understanding the emotion behind the information. Effective communication can improve
relationships at home, work, and in social situations by deepening your connections to others and
improving teamwork, decision-making, and problem-solving. It enables you to communicate even
negative or difficult messages without creating conflict or destroying trust.

Effective Communication Skills

Listening - Listening is one (1) of the most important aspects of effective communication. Successful
listening means not just understanding the words or the information being communicated, but also
understanding how the speaker feels about what they’re communicating. The following are the tips for
effective communication.

Tips for Effective Listening

• Focus fully on the speaker - If you’re daydreaming, checking text messages, or doodling, you’re
almost certain to miss nonverbal cues in the conversation. If you find it hard to concentrate on
some speakers, try repeating their words over in your head—it’ll reinforce their message and
help you stay focused.

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• Avoid interrupting - Listening is not the same as waiting for your turn to talk. You can’t
concentrate on what someone’s saying if you’re forming what you’re going to say next. Often,
the speaker can read your facial expressions and know that your mind’s elsewhere.
• Avoid seeming judgmental - In order to communicate effectively with someone, you don’t have
to like them or agree with their ideas, values, or opinions. However, you do need to set aside
your judgment and withhold blame and criticism in order to fully understand a person.
• Show your interest - Nod occasionally, smile at the person, and make sure your posture is open
and inviting. Encourage the speaker to continue with small verbal comments like “yes” or “uh-
huh.”

Non-verbal Communication - When we communicate things that we care about, we do so mainly using
nonverbal signals. Wordless communication, or body language, includes facial expressions, body
movement and gestures, eye contact, posture, the tone of your voice, and even your muscle tension
and breathing. The way you look, listen, move, and react to another person tells them more about how
you’re feeling than words alone ever can. Developing the ability to understand and use nonverbal
communication can help you connect with others, express what you really mean, navigate challenging
situations, and build better relationships at home and work.

Managing Stress - In small doses, stress can help you perform under pressure. However, when stress
becomes constant and overwhelming, it can hamper effective communication by disrupting your
capacity to think clearly and creatively and act appropriately. When you’re stressed, you’re more likely
to misread other people, send confusing or off-putting nonverbal signals, and lapse into unhealthy
knee-jerk patterns of behavior. If you can quickly relieve stress and return to a calm state, you’ll not
only avoid such regrets but in many cases, you’ll also help to calm the other person as well. It’s only
when you’re in a calm, relaxed state that you'll be able to know whether the situation requires a
response, or whether the other person’s signals indicate it would be better to remain silent.

Emotional awareness— the consciousness of your moment-to-moment emotional experience—and

the ability to manage all of your feelings appropriately is the basis for effective communication. It
provides you the tools needed for understanding both yourself and other people, and the real messages
they are communicating to you. Although knowing your own feelings may seem simple, many people
ignore or try to sedate strong emotions like anger, sadness, and fear. But your ability to communicate
depends on being connected to these feelings. If you’re afraid of strong emotions or if you insist on
communicating only on a rational level, it will impair your ability to fully understand others, creatively
problem solve, resolve conflicts, or build an affectionate connection with someone.
Effective Communication. Retrieved February 20, 2015. http://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships/effective-
communication.htm

Intercultural Communication

A form of communication that aims to share information across different cultures and social groups.
It is used to describe the wide range of communication processes and problems that naturally appear
within an organization or social context made up of individuals from different religious, social, ethnic,
and educational backgrounds. Intercultural communication is sometimes used synonymously with
cross-cultural communication. In this sense, it seeks to understand how people from different countries
and cultures act, communicate and perceive the world around them. Many people in intercultural

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business communication argue that culture determines how individuals encode messages, what
medium they choose for transmitting them, and the way messages are interpreted.

Intercultural Communication. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intercultural_communication last February

20, 2015

Menoy, Jesus Z. 2010. Oral Communication and Public Speaking. Mandaluyong City, Manila. Books Atbp. Publishing Corp.

Effective Communication. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.helpguide.org/articles/relationships/effective-

communication.htm last February 20, 2015

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