How Communication

Works
Lecture 1
Definition of communication
The exchange of thoughts,
messages, or the like, as by
speech, signals or writing.

To express oneself in such a way

that one is readily and clearly
understood.
Definition of communication

Communication is shared
feelings/shared understanding.

If you can honestly achieve that goal,

you are communicating.
Who Is Responsible?

The Communicator.

How Much Is The Communicator Responsible?

60 Percent!
Communication Models

Communication is classified into two groups:

Linear
Interactive
Linear Model
Here information is transmitted from sender to
receiver via a channel without the sender
receiving any feedback
 Interactive Model
Here there is feedback; it allows the sender to
know that the message was received.
Communication Process

Communication is the process of passing

information from a source to a receiver
Communication process takes place in various
situations for different reasons with the potential
for many interpretation. It has seven main
elements:
1.Sender
2.Message
3.Receiver
4.Feedback
5.Channel
6.Context or setting
7.Interface or Noise
Sender:
Senders are individuals who react to
situations from a unique vantage point,
interpreting ideas and filtering experiences
through their own perception. The sender
encodes an idea or feeling in words or signs
that the receiver will recognize and transmits
the message to the receiver.
Message:
The message is the idea
or feeling transmitted
from the sender to the
receiver to achieve
understanding. It makes
a connection between the
sender and the receiver.
 The receiver
The receiver decodes or interprets the message to achieve
understanding. In doing this, the receiver is also acting as
an individual from a unique vantage point, interpreting the
idea according to a particular personal perception of the
message. This perception is the result of receivers unique
background of experiences, beliefs, concerns and many
other factors.
 Perception
Perception is the way people
understand or give meaning to the
environment. Perception and
interpretation of the same message
varies according to how each
individuals perception is influenced
by experience, attitude and beliefs
and a range of acquired skills or
expectations. For example, one
person may perceive the color blue
as cool, peaceful and comforting
while another person may perceive
the color blue as old-fashioned or
formal.
 Self-
concept

Expectations Culture

Attitudes & Experience

Values Perception

Feelings Family

Communication
Skills
Feedback:

It is an essential part of effective interpersonal

communication. It is the receivers response to
senders message, and can be intentional or
unintentional. Feedback:
Gives the communication continuity.
Indicates understanding or misunderstanding of
the message.
Stimulates further communication and discussion.
Communication channel

A communication channel is the means or

technique used to signal or convey a
message-for example, a conversation,
letter, telephone call, radio or television
program. Choose a channel that suits your
needs as a sender of the message, and the
needs of the receiver.
Sender Receiver
Self-Concept Message Self-Concept
Family Family
Culture Culture
Interference
Skills Skills
Feelings Feelings
Attitudes Attitudes
Values Feedback Values
Context

Context consists of the situation, circumstance or

setting within which communication takes place.
Context plays an important role in how a message
is encoded and decoded. The same message can
have completely different meaning depending on
the situation, since emotions and reactions to ideas
and events vary in different situations.
INTERFERENCE OR NOISE

Interference or noise: the

message received is not
necessarily the same as
message sent. Something other
than the intended message is
received because of the noise,
or interference, interrupts the
intended message.
 Causes of communication barriers
Inappropriate choice of words
Inappropriate channels
Inappropriate message
Receiver attention
Lack of courtesy by sender or the receiver.
Non-verbal communication that does not support the
words
Different cultural backgrounds.
Poor layout and presentation.
Inappropriate timing
Inadequate feedback.
Empathy

To reduce the chance of communication barriers and

associated problem, communicate with empathya feeling
and awareness of your receivers and their point of view.
Also, be willing to provide appropriate and sufficient
feedback to achieve understanding.
Ethics in Communication

Personal ethics, professional

ethics and corporate ethics are
sets of moral principles by which
we judge human actions and
proposals as good or bad or
right or wrong. Ethical behavior
requires us to act with equity,
fairness, impartiality and respect
for the rights of others. People
working for an ethical company
behave with integrity.
The code of ethics benefits company and individual
by:

Reinforcing the organizations' standards of conduct.

Reminding the staff that management wants participants
to consider ethical issues in their decisions.
Identifying practices that are not permissible.
Allowing leaders to, managers and others to share
experiences and ideas about what is and is not an ethical
position.
Developing a shared culture based on ethics and
responsibility.
 What makes an ethical communicator?
Professional business communicators behave ethically
when they:
Follow the organizations' policies, procedures and
guidelines.
Communicate factual information objectively.
Avoid using distortions of facts and misleading
information.
Respect the dignity of each person, irrespective of ethnic
background, religion or gender.
Follow the companys code of ethics.
 Communication in multi-cultural society

Different ethnic or cultural groups have different rules for:

Humour and irony
Courtesises in speech, such as when to say please, thank-you, or
excuse me.
Dress
Rules of politeness-who can speak to whom, and who can begin the
conversation
Deference to others
Use of time
Drinking alcohol