Introduction

The term communication is

derived from the
latin word communis,
meaning common.
In general, communication refers to the
reciprocal exchange of information,
ideas,
facts, opinions, beliefs, feelings &
attitudes
through verbal or nonverbal means
between
two people or within a group of people.
Definition of communication
Communication is a process by which
information is exchanged between
individuals
through a common system of symbols
& signs
of behavior.
- Websters Dictionary
Communication is interchange of
thoughts,
opinions or information by speech,
writing or
signs.
- Robert Andersion
Meaning of Communication
Communication as
A process through which individuals
mutually
exchange their ideas, values, thoughts,
feeling &
actions with one or more people.
The transfer of information from
the sender to the
receiver so that it is understood in
the right context.
The process of initiating,
transmitting & receiving
information.
 The means of making the transfer
of information
productive & goal oriented.
The process of sharing information,
ideas &
attitudes between individual.
Process of Communication
Elements of the communication
 Referent:
A referent motivates the sender (or receiver) to
share information (message, objects, sounds,
sights,
time schedule, ideas, perceptions, sensation,
emotion, odour , etc.) that may initiate
communication.
For example, a nurse, sighting a
patient with
difficulty in breathing may serve as a
referent to the
nurse promoting her to initiate
communication with
the patient.
Sender:
A sender is a person who
encodes & sends the
message to the expected
receiver through an
appropriate channel.
A sender is the source of the
message that is
generated to be delivered to the
receiver after
appropriate stimulus from the
referent.
Message:
The message is the content of
communication &
may contain verbal, nonverbal or
symbolic
language.
Perception & personal factors of the sender
&
receiver may sometimes distort this element
&
the intended outcome of communication
may not
be achieved. For ex, the same message may
be
communicated or perceived differently by
 Channel:
A channel is a medium through which a message
is
sent or received between two or more people.
Several channels can be used to send or receive
the
message, i.e seeing, hearing, touching, smelling,
&
tasting.
While selecting channels of communication,
several
factors must be considered: availability of
channel()s ,
purpose, suitability, types of receivers, types
of
message, preference of sender & receivers,
communication skills of the sender, cost, etc.
Classification of channels of
communication:
Visual channel: Facial expression,
body language,
posture, gestures, pictures & written
words,
electronic mails, mass media, etc.
Auditory channel: Spoken
words, sounds,
telephone or mobile
communications, delivering
audio content (radio, voicemail),
etc.
Tactile channel: Touch
sensations, therapeutic
touch, etc.
Combined channel:
Audiovisual media, consoling
a person with touch & spoken
words.
Receiver:
A receiver is an individual or a group
of
individuals intended to receive,
decode &
interpret the message sent by the
sender/source of message.
A receiver also known as decoder.
He is expected to have the ability &
skills to
receive, decode & interpret the
message.
Feedback:
It is a return message sent by the
receiver to the
sender.
It is most essential element of the
communication
process as it shows that the receiver has
understood
the primary message sent by the sender
& the
communication process is now consider
complete.
A successful communication must
be a two-way
process where the sender sends the
message &
receives feedback from the receiver.
These feedback could be verbal &
nonverbal.
TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
I. Based on the means of delivering the
message
II. Based on the purpose of
communication
III. Based on the levels of communication
IV. Based on the pattern of
communication
 FORMS OF COMMUNICATION
Human Communication
Non-Human Communication
Human Communication includes...
Nonverbal Communication
- the process of conveying meaning in the form
of non-word messages.
Verbal/ Oral Communication
- use sounds or voice expressions to convey
message.
Written Communication
This form of communication uses symbols to
convey message.
Non-Human Communication are...
Animal Communication through
behavior
Plant Communication through cellular
interaction
Fungi Communication through growth
Bacteria Communication (Quorum
Sensing) through changes in density
 The COMMUNICATION PROCESS
1.Stimulus/stimuli- triggering event of the
communication process
2.Ideation- an idea or several ideas are formulated
and organized to answer a need to communicate
3.Encoding- the ideas, which have been organized in
the ideation stage, are put into code to make
transmission possible. To represent these ideas,
symbols in the form of sounds or words are made
use of.
4.Transmission- the encoded message is sent
through a chosen appropriate channel or medium
5.Reception- the message reaches the receiver
6.Decoding- the codes or symbols used to transmit messages are
converted into ideas or mental images to be interpreted by the
receiver
7.Understanding- the message, which has been transformed into
thought or mental images, having been interpreted now becomes
clear to the receiver. If he/she does not understand,
miscommunication sets in.
8. Action- the receiver responds to the message received by sending
feedback
PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNICATION
 Communication has purpose
Communication is continuous
Communication messages vary in conscious thought
Communication is relational
Once cannot be attractive without others who are attracted?
One cannot be a leader unless others are willing to follow?
Quality of interaction between parent and child is a two-way street
(Dainton, Stafford, 1993).
Communication is guided by culture
Communication has ethical implications
Communication is learned
After 30 minutes of instruction, participants became significantly
more effective in detecting lies (DeTurch, Miller, 1990)
CommunicationCompetence
Effective
when it achieves its goals
Appropriate
when it conforms to the
situation
What Makes a Communicator Effective?
Speaking and expressing your thoughts and feelings in
a clear and non-defensive manner.
Being an active listener by using both verbal (un huh)
and nonverbal skills (leaning forward)
Being aware of your body language and what it
communicates to others.
Learning to code-switch in different professional
versus social settings.
Example from using African American English to
Standard American English when appropriate.
 What Makes a Communicator Effective?
Speaking and expressing your thoughts and feelings in
a clear and non-defensive manner.
Being an active listener by using both verbal (un huh)
and nonverbal skills (leaning forward)
Being aware of your body language and what it
communicates to others.
Learning to code-switch in different professional
versus social settings.
Example from using African American English to
Standard American English when appropriate.
 EFFECTIVE LISTENING
Expressing our wants, feelings, thoughts and
opinions clearly and effectively is only half of
the communication process needed for
interpersonal effectiveness.
The other half is listening and
understanding.
There is a real distinction between merely
hearing the words and really listening to the
message.
 SOUND
The impact of vibrations make on the
human ear the reception of sound
waves (Psychologist and speech
teachers)
Sound is characterized by three features:
pitch, loudness, and quality
Human speech adds a fourth feature
rate or timing.
 THREE BASIC LISTENING MODES
Competitive or Combative Listening
Interested in promoting own stance than
understanding someone elses.

Passive or Attentive Listening

Interested in hearing and understanding
others stance .

Active or Reflective Listening

Active in checking understanding before
responding with message.
 L ANGUAGE
Instrument of communication
Oral or written
Verbal and Non-verbal

Organized system of signals

Sounds
Intonation
Gesture
Written symbols

A system of symbols (lexemes) and rules (grammar)

L ANGUAGE
Oral Communication
Spoken language
Production of sound representation
of language
Voice is the primary tool