More Stuff on General Communication Theory

Six Characteristics of Communication b Symbolic behavior Words, things, and actions are symbols that have meaningWords, things, and actions are symbols that have meaning b Shared code Languages, gestures, expressions, etc.Languages, gestures, expressions, etc. b Linked to culture Beliefs, values, and customs all affect communication, and communication affects themBeliefs, values, and customs all affect communication, and communication affects them

Six characteristics, cont’d. b Intentionality Communicators must be aware of both intentional and unintentional messagesCommunicators must be aware of both intentional and unintentional messages b A Medium Chosen according to the needs of the audience/receiverChosen according to the needs of the audience/receiver b A Transactional Process The sender(s) must send a message and the receiver(s) must act on itThe sender(s) must send a message and the receiver(s) must act on it

Functions of Communication b Control Many forms of communication are controlling, or at least persuasiveMany forms of communication are controlling, or at least persuasive b Affiliation Communication is a necessary part of all relationshipsCommunication is a necessary part of all relationships b Goal Achievement Some communication is focused on a very specific taskSome communication is focused on a very specific task

Cultural Contexts b Culture has a profound effect on communication b Cultural norms dictate the meanings of objects, symbols (including words), and actions (e.g., Nixon story) b Sometimes we can be blinded by our own culture

Relational Contexts b Symbols have different meanings in different relationships or social situations b The example of the phrase “Let’s just be friends” is on-target

Schemas--Mental Structures b Schemas are mental structures that “file” chunks of information and put them together to create meaning and understanding b Throughout life, you continue to gather new information and combine it with old, “filed” information to create understanding

Types of Schemas b People Schemas How you perceive and categorize peopleHow you perceive and categorize people b Role Schemas How you perceive and categorize a person’s place in societyHow you perceive and categorize a person’s place in society b Event Schemas How you predict what will happen in certain situationsHow you predict what will happen in certain situations

Schemas and Intrapersonal Communication b When you encounter a stimulus, your mind gathers all the information it can, searches its files, and determines if and how the new information fits in with the old information b This process of proposing explanations to yourself is known as intrapersonal communication

Intrapersonal Communication

Other Concepts Related to Schema Theory b Mindlessness Lack of in-depth schema analysis that causes misperceptionsLack of in-depth schema analysis that causes misperceptions b Selective Perception Biases or strongly held attitudes sometimes cause our intrapersonal communication to be incomplete or inaccurateBiases or strongly held attitudes sometimes cause our intrapersonal communication to be incomplete or inaccurate

Schemas, Perception, and Reality b This simple concept has existed among mass media professionals for decades: “Perception is reality” b Each person’s schema is unique-- moderately in some cases, radically in others; therefore, each person’s idea of reality is unique

Other Important Ideas from Competent Communication b Cognition Ability to learn and think at higher levels of complexityAbility to learn and think at higher levels of complexity b Channels Media is chosen according to audience and purposeMedia is chosen according to audience and purpose Channel capacity is the quantitative limit of the mediumChannel capacity is the quantitative limit of the medium

Other Important Ideas, cont’d. b Culture Cultural diversityCultural diversity –Diversity continues to grow globally Ethnocentrism and cultural myopiaEthnocentrism and cultural myopia –When people can’t see past their own culture StereotypingStereotyping –Not always a negative term –Used my mass media in audience analysis (demographic research)