Unit 1  Understanding Communication

What is COMMUNICATION?  The process of sending and receiving messages to achieve understanding

Two Main Categories of Communication 1. Intrapersonal communication is communication with one’s self Ex: daydreaming

2. Interpersonal Communication is communication between two or more people Ex: face-to-face telephone text messaging TV newspaper

TRUE or FALSE????? Communication is constant, never ending, inescapable…. TRUE You are always communicating… even when you sleep!

CAUTION!!!! Make sure your brain is in gear before your mouth is in motion ******************* Think before your speak!

The Process of Communication 1. The sender (the person who starts the communication process) obtains ideas through the five senses 2. The sender encodes ideas (changes ideas into words) 3. The sender sends the message (ideas and feelings) through a channel (light waves, sound waves, or sense of touch)

What’s in a message???? Messages contain verbal symbols (words) and nonverbal symbols (gestures, facial expressions, sound, etc.)

The Process of Communication 4. The receiver (person who accepts the message) decodes the message (changes the words into ideas) 5. The receiver sends feedback (the receiver's response) by repeating the above steps

In class assignment #1  As the young clerk opened the door of his office, he quickly looked to his left and right to make sure the boss wouldn’t see him leaving work early. He tip-toed down the hall and smiled with pleasure as he thought of the golf game that awaited him. Because he was busy daydreaming, he didn’t notice his boss watching him from the end of the hall. Suddenly, the boss’s voice screamed, “Johnson! Where are you going? It’s not quitting time yet!” He then put his hands on Johnson’s shoulders, turned him around, and pointed towards Johnson’s office door. Again the boss roared, “Get back to work!” Johnson mumbled disappointedly, “I’m going; I’m going.” A tear rolled down his cheek as visions of golf were replaced with images of reports that needed to be filed by quitting time.

Answer the following questions 1. Who is the sender? The boss 2. What is the sender’s verbal message? “Johnson, where are you going? It’s not quitting time yet.” “Get back to work.” 3. What are the sender’s non-verbal cues? boss’s scream, hands on shoulders, points, roars

4. Who is the receiver? Johnson 5. What is the receiver’s verbal feedback? “I’m going: I’m going.” 6. What is the receiver’s non verbal cues? Mumbles, tear falls

7. What channels of communication were used? Sound (screams, roars, mumbling), touch (hands on shoulders), sight (pointing, tear rolling)

Problems in the Communication Process Interference anything that gets in the way of communication

3 types of interference 1. Physical noise Noise that occurs outside of the body Ex: construction noises 2. Psychological noise Noise that occurs inside the body Ex: daydreaming 3. Semantic noise Words that trigger a strong negative Reaction Ex: racist slur

Other problems in Communication 1. Lack of understanding 2. Lack of interest 3. Lack of common goals ************************ To fix problems, use modified message (a rewording of the original message)

Promblems in Communication

Another lack of understanding

Lack of Common Goals

When do you communicate? 1. Informal settings Communication is unplanned Ex: friends, family, co-workers 2. Formal settings Communication is planned ahead of time Ex – public speaking

Examples of Formal Communication 1. Interview People ask and answer questions 2. small group discussion 3-15 people who solve problems together 3. Public speaking One person addresses a large audience to inform, persuade, or entertain

4. Debate Speakers argue opposing sides and try to convince others 5. Parliamentary procedure A set of rules used to conduct meetings

6. Oral interpretation Literature is read aloud for an audience 7. Drama Characters act out plays on stage 8. Mass media One or more people communicate with a large audience they cannot see – TV, radio, newspaper, internet

DO YOU SPEAK JUST TO HEAR YOURSELF TALK?

Goals of Communication 1. To learn 2. To make decisions 3. To gain pleasure 4. To succeed in the future 5. To show you care 6. To build and maintain relationships

Multiple choice What percent of people who lose their jobs do so because of poor communication skills? A. 30% B. 50% C. 70% D. 90%

Communication work skills 1. Follow directions (listening) 2. Convince others (persuasive techniques) 3. Give orders (informative speech) 4. Motivate others (gain attention of your audience) 5. Compromise (knowing yourself and others)

7 Traits of an effective communicator 1. Sincere – believe in what you say 2. Knowledgeable – make your speech worthwhile to listen to 3. Organized – makes speech easy to understand and follow 4. Listen well – half of all communication involves listening 5. Choose words carefully – avoid misunderstanding

6. Control non-verbal signals 7. Care about your goal

Why should I learn how to speak? Everyone knows how to speak, right? PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT!

The power of the spoken word  Words of anger can turn a friend into an enemy  Words of apology can regain a friend  Words of wisdom can arouse respect in business, school, and social situations  Words win elections and shape the world

 Words dominate our world – everywhere you look there are words, words, and more words – use them well and you have POWER!