Chapter 1 - Introduction to Communication Studies Chapter 1 - Introduction to Communication Studies

Why is it Important to Study Communication? Improve the WAY YOU SEE YOURSELF. Improve the WAY OTHERS SEE YOU. Understand HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS. Teach you important LIFE SKILLS. CONTRIBUTE TO SOCIETY. SUCCEED professionally! Understand our DIVERSE WORLD.

Definition of Communication “Communication is the sharing of meaning between two or more people.” Assumes that communication is a negotiation (back and forth) Perception of communication is what is important What “image” has the other constructed for you?

The Components of Communication People [Sender & Receiver(s)] Message Channel Feedback Encoding & Decoding Noise

Components of Communication… SOURCE: the person (or thing) that generates a message RECEIVER: the intended target of a message (sometimes there is NOT one) MESSAGE: the ‘thing’ being communicated; (un)intended

Components of Communication… CHANNEL: the way(s) the message gets from the source to the receiver ENCODING: turning an idea into code DECODING: assigning meaning to a code

Components of Communication… FEEDBACK: the way(s) the receiver responds to the message NOISE: anything that interferes with the clarity of a message

The Interaction Model of Communication Step 1 Channel Sender/ Receiver Encode Decode Receiver/ Sender Step 2 Channel Decode Encode Context Noise

Communication: Sharing Meaning Person 2 Person 1 Communication is the shared meaning constructed between the two people CONTENT & RELATIONAL dimensions.

Communication Contexts Intrapersonal Interpersonal (Dyadic) Small Group Public Mass Computer Mediated Communication (CMC)

Any Questions???

Group Activity Choose a communication context. Using paper and markers, draw the context. Identify – Sender, Receiver, Message (Code; V/NV), Channel, Noise, Feedback, Context Be prepared to present this to the class.