COMMUNICATION PROCESS

One Way Communication

This process has only 3 elements the sender, the message and the receiver
e.g. reading a book, lecture with participation from students We should never assume that our listeners are able to understand what we are talking about. There should be feedback (response) from our listeners

Two Way Communication

This process has 4 elements the sender, the message, the receiver and the response. There is a continual feedback loop between the sender and the receiver. This is specifically effective in training and education

Major elements of the Communication Process

Sender the source of any message. It is the person who initiates the communication. Encoding the sender thinks about what he/she wants to communicate and translate this thought into words or gestures that someone else can understand. Message the final way the sender organizes and presents his/her thoughts to someone else.

 Channel this is how the message is transmitted or carried. It can be spoken words, gestures, telephone, letter, report, tape recording, etc.
Receiver this is the person whose senses pick up the message. Decoding the mental process by which the receiver interprets the message in attempt to understand what was meant by the sender. Many misunderstanding or misinterpretations occur at this stage.

 Noise any disturbance that distorts or confuses accurate communication.

Maybe the sender talks too fast or too soft or experiences sound interferences. Feedback the message the receiver relays back to the sender to confirm the message has been understood or the message needs more clarification.

Types of Communication
VERBAL words which may be written or spoken NON-VERBAL silent language that does not use words but actions such as gestures, eye movements, facial expressions, These are used to repeat, reinforce, contradict, substitute, complement, accent, modify or regulate verbal communication.

Communication Breakdown
1. Same words, different meaning

2.
3. 4.

Different words, same meaning

Use of acronyms TID, BID, etc Use of Technical jargons accountants, social workers, doctors, lawyers Use of gobbledygook and other power words

5.

LEVELS OF COMMUNICATION
1. 2. 3. Intrapersonal communication within ones mind Interpersonal - communication that occurs between two-persons Small Group communication that takes place within small groups from around 20-25 people Public Communication public speaking to an audience of people

4.

5. Organizational Communication informal and formal communication that take place within large government or private organizations. 6. Mass Communication communication to large numbers of people using the mass media, e.g. radio, TV, print 7. International communication between countries through variety of channels 8. Intercultural communication between people of different cultures who often have different languages, experiences, cognitive styles, or world views.

TOOLS OF SOCIAL WORK

1. Interviewing

Interview is a process of data collection where one-to-one interaction between social worker/helper and the client transpire. The intake interview should be able to establish the clients eligibility for intervention. The interview should lead to the collection of identifying data on the child. The result of the interview forms part of the clients record.

Interview is usually a one-way form of communication. The interviewer is the one asking questions, while the interviewee answers the questions posed by the interviewer.

2. Discussion
Discussion is a form of two-way communication where the social worker and the client exchange ideas about the clients situation.

This is also done to provide the client with information about the programs and services of the agency.

2. Referral 3. Case Records