Unit 1: Communication, Meaning, and Re-membering

Section 1: Human Communication

Human Communication Introductory Points –A person is truly alive and full of life when engaged in activities that promote learning, loving, and growing –As rational creatures, a person’s thoughts, ideas, and beliefs is what matters most –Since people, by their very nature, are social creatures, the communication of a person’s thoughts, ideas, and beliefs is essential to forming healthy relationships

Human Communication –Expresses who a person is as a rational, thinking creature who has thoughts, ideas, and beliefs –Expresses information about the world around us How do we communicate?

Human Communication Forms of Human Communication –Verbal The form of communication that relies upon the spoken and written word Examples –Non-verbal The form of communication that does not rely upon the spoken and written word –Signs, symbols, actions Examples

Human Communication Forms of Human Communication –Signs A physical object that communicates or expresses a single meaning that does not change Examples –Symbols A physical object that communication or expresses an invisible reality by associating it with a sensible sign Multiple levels of meaning Examples –Rituals A set of symbols that are enacted by people Examples

Human Communication Human Communication Involves People –Sender and a Receiver of the Message The Sender sends or encodes a message –The use of both verbal and non-verbal forms of communication The Receiver receives or decodes the message –A response (some type of feedback) is needed to express reception and understanding of the original message –Relational – relationship between people –Revelatory – the people reveal information about themselves

Human Communication “I tell you” (message) “I hear you” (response) Communication is not a one way process The Cycle of Communication

Human Communication The Components of a Message –Content The actual information that is sent –Context Physical – the place, the environment Temporal – the time (of day, month, year) Relational – who the person is to you Cultural – social structure, economic class, race, ethnicity, nationality

Human Communication The Context can change the Meaning of the Content of a Message –Physical – the place, the environment –Temporal – the time (of day, month, year) –Relational – who the person is to you –Cultural – social structure, economic class, race, ethnicity, nationality –Ex. – “I love you.”, swastika, cross, pat on the buttocks

Human Communication The Context can change the Meaning of the Content of a Message –Content – “I love you.” –Context – Relational

Human Communication The Context can change the Meaning of the Content of a Message –Content – Swastika –Context – physical, temporal, cultural Ex. – Germany, 1930s, Nazi government Ex. – India, 5 th Century B.C., Hindu religion

Human Communication The Context can change the Meaning of the Content of a Message –Content – Latin Cross –Context – physical, temporal, cultural Ex. – Roman Empire, 100s, Christianity Ex. – Kingdom of Israel, 10 th C. B.C., Judaism

Human Communication The Context can change the Meaning of the Content of a Message –Content – pat on the buttocks –Context – physical, relational, cultural Ex. – football gridiron, teammates, sports Ex. – high school classroom, adolescent male and a adolescent female who are not good friends, the politically correct world of the 21 st Century

Human Communication Relationship (the relationship between the two people in the conversation) –Dominance (power) –Affiliation (liking) –Involvement (attention)

Human Communication Barriers to Successful Communication –“Noise” – interferes with the communication process and distorts the message –Can cause a misunderstanding Physical Noise – anything picked up by senses Physiological Noise – related to the physical body –Ex. – tired Psychological Noise – related to the mind, cognition –Ex. – prejudices, bias, other thoughts Semantic Noise – related to meaning in language –Ex. – not sharing the same basic understanding of the symbol system being used (inside jokes, gestures)

The Transactional Model S/RS/R

Human Communication