Components of the Communication Process

CONTEXT The place and time when the communication occurs and The relationship between the communicators Provides the people, the occasion, and the task EXAMPLE: It’s not considered appropriate for a students to get up and walk around the class, but it’s perfectly acceptable to do so at home while watching t.v.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Provides the surroundings or the space in which communication takes place. Influences the quality of interaction within the physical space POSITIVE=better communication (safe, clean, comfortable, and cheerful classroom) NEGATIVE=leads to communication problems (too hot or too cold)

CLIMATE -emotional atmosphere -influences the emotional, attitudinal, & intellectual tone NEGATIVE CLIMATE -the emotions and attitudes of the communicators are overriding the intellectual content of the conversation EXAMPLE: a room full of tension POSITIVE CLIMATE -the climate in the room may be warm (emotions), positive (attitudes), and interesting (intellectual content) EXAMPLE: a room full of smiles and interesting discussion

COMMUNICATOR RECEIVER-SENDER -the person who receives, or believes he or she has received, a message EXAMPLE: -the receptionist SENDER-RECEIVER -the person who sends a message to someone EXAMPLE: -the person checking in with the receptionist for an appointment

MESSAGE -the information that is exchanged between communicators. Purpose=convey messages and feelings between senders and receivers Messages are: -open for interpretation, or misinterpretation -not always received as intended

Kinds of Messages Intentional Unintentional Actual -made up of the meanings and feelings one person wishes to send to another Unintentional -a message a person does not want to send or is unaware of sending Actual -message the R-S receives -it is what he/she thinks the speaker is actually saying

CHANNEL The space in which the message is transmitted The method by which the sender conveys the message EXAMPLES: ☺An e-mail ☺a letter ☺Face-to-face dialogue ☺a phone call ☺a voice-mail ☺text messages

NOISE -anything that interferes with a message and is usually temporary -has a negative function in communication INTERNAL NOISE Interference that originates and resides within a communicator Can disrupt communication-whether physical or emotional EXAMPLES: -sleepy, cold, or ill -anger, preoccupation, and moodiness EXTERNAL NOISE A distraction in the channel or in the physical environment EXAMPLES: -smell of rolls baking distracts you as you try to take notes in class -a peer constantly talking to you in class may interfere with your work -a speaker’s sloppy appearance or unclear speech

BARRIERS -any obstacle that blocks communication INTERNAL BARRIERS *A barrier that originates or resides within a communicator *May block a communicator’s desire to communicate with others *Can affect a communicator’s interpretation of a message EXAMPLES: -competitiveness -ignorance -defensiveness -prejudice EXTERNAL BARRIERS *exists in the channel or in other parts of the communication process EXAMPLES: -unclear speech (intercom message can confuse people) -nonverbal signals (thumbs-up: in U.S.=“Well done” In Germany=“one”) -time and distance -language

Three basic functions in the communication process: FEEDBACK -one person’s observable response to another’s message Three basic functions in the communication process: ASSURANCE -assures the sender-receiver that communication has occurred. It is unsafe to assume until there is feedback. ADJUSTMENT -allows the sender-receiver to modify a message when feedback indicates a lack of understanding INSIGHT -provides insights into the communicator’s message and their own communication skills and styles

Activity Create a Chart using 3 scenarios. Explain the context, environment, and climate for each. Choose one of the scenarios and create a skit to share with the class SCENARIOS (3) CONTEXT (place & time) ENVIRONMENT (surroundings/space) CLIMATE (emotional atmosphere)