The Communication Process How does this whole thing work?

Overview of Process Sender: The person who communicates the message Receiver: The person that interprets, or understands the message Feedback: Reaction to the message once it’s received – Verbal or nonverbal – As the message is sent and received, it is encoded and decoded by the sender and receiver. Sender Receiver Message (Encoding, decoding) Feedback

Deciding to Communicate Memory Communicating begins with the brain, not the mouth (duh!) Must have ideas in your head – memory Memory is like the brain’s storage bin – Information is picked up consciously and subconsciously Reasoning Thinking and reasoning is linking ideas together to produce a new idea.

Deciding to Communicate, cont. Needing to Communicate People are social creatures and feel a need to communicate with others Some people lack the need to communicate for fear of rejection by others Sharing Common Interests Field of experience – sharing the same knowledge base with others Sometimes sharing interests with others lasts a long time, as with family Sometimes common interests only last for a short period of time, as with classmates and acquaintances

Choosing Symbols Encoding ideas: Putting ideas together into words Code – symbol system for ideas that the sender uses when sending the message Decode – Translating symbols correctly to understand the message Symbol – word, gesture, eye contact, clothing, etc.

Choosing Symbols, Cont. Language Symbols Verbal Symbols – spoken language you use to communicate Denotation – basic meaning of a word Connotation – meanings people ATTACH to words that are beyond dictionary meanings, often based on people’s experience with the word Nonverbal Symbols Nonverbal Symbols – The ways you encode your ideas without using words. – Tapping your foot – Nodding your head – Smiling – Frowning – Etc.

Choosing Symbols, cont. Unintentional Communication – Sometimes we send messages we don’t mean to send. – Sometimes this is due to cultural differences – Some body movements we don’t mean to make

Vocalizing Get enough air Treat vocal cords with care Use resonators – pharynx and nasal cavities Articulate clearly

Feedback Feedback – Reaction to the sender’s message – Can be verbal, nonverbal, or both – Always use eye contact! – Tone of voice, volume