Introduction to

Communication,
Communication Process;
Effective Communication
WEEK 1
LECTURE 1
What is Communication?

 The word communication in Latin comes from communicare, which

means to share, to make something common.
 The communication is the process by which people transmit
information, share verbal and non verbal messages and create meaning
with each other.
 The three popular communication models that align with those three
key words (1) transmit (2) share and (3) create.
 Verbal communication is the use of spoken words to convey thoughts, idea, and emotions.
Nonverbal communication is the transfer of information through body language, facial
expressions, gestures, created space and more. For example, smiling, anger, happiness,
silence smiling(when you meet someone conveys friendliness)
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 First some people thing communication is about how we transmit

information. Years ago in 1948, Claude Shannon and Warren Weaver
developed a foundational model of communication that you see in most
textbooks.
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 From there view, communication happens when an information source,

a sender has a message and transmit(transfer, convey) that message in
the form of a signal through a channel, then that signal is received by
the receiver at its final destination. Along the way, there might be some
noise in the communication system that could negatively influence the
process.
 Some people call this the container model, because according to the
model, meaning “contained” in the words themselves. When the
message has been reached its final destination communication has
been accomplished, because the message has been sent and received.
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 The concept of feedback is not part of Shannon and Warren’s original

model. The word feedback does not appear in the diagram and no
where in the text of the original article. That concept came later.
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 Our next key word is share, some people think communication is

about sharing meaning. According to Dean Barnlund communication is
dynamic, continuous and circular. In other words, communication
between people is an ongoing, back and forth simultaneous exchange.
We are senders and receivers at the same time.
 The point is, we exchanged messages because we want to share
meaning with other people. Barnlund’s model includes both verbal and
nonverbal cues and feedback, and importantly to Barnlund’s meaning
exists in the words.
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 His transactional(exchange) model says that the receiver interprets or

decodes what those words mean for him or herself. Then that really
highlights that meaning is not in the words, meaning is in us, it’s in our
minds, we supply meaning.
 So according to Barnlund communication is the process through which
we achieve shared meaning.
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 The next key word is create. According to this approach, the word
communication describes the way we create meaning in the first place.
 Robert Craig says communication constitutes(establish) our social
reality. Constitutes means create.
 When we communicate with each other, we are generating ideas
together, we create meaning through our interactions with others
overtime.
 Our whole social reality is the product, the outcome of communication)
so communication is that driving, creative force at the center of our
sense of self, our relationships, our families, our culture, through
interaction we
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 Make or break agreements, we establish societal norms or violate them

through the process of communication.
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 If you want to succeed in any job or if you want to succeed in any other
thing 70 percent of your communication skills matter and 30 percent of
your degree and technical skills that matters.
 Today’s multination's companies don’t see your degrees, they see your
style of communication, your behavior, your interpersonal skills(your
personality) your analytical abilities, are you a problem solver or are
you a person who give up.
 Personality stability refers to the extent to which personality traits remain the
same with increasing age.
 Analytical skills are soft skills that help you identify and solve complex(simple,
difficult) problems
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 You have to learn the attributes of success.

 Definition: Communication is the process of sending and receiving
messages through verbal or nonverbal means, including speech, or oral
communication; writing and graphical representations (such as maps,
and charts); and signs, signals, and behavior.
Communication Process
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 The communication process is the guide toward realizing effective

communication.
 It is through the communication process that the sharing of a common
meaning between the sender and the receiver takes place.
 Individuals that follow the communication process will have the
opportunity to become more productive in every aspect of their
profession.
 Effective communication leads to understanding.
Communication Process

The sender/encoding or source of a communication is the person or

organization who has information to share with another person or group.
 Encoding is the process of putting together thoughts, ideas and
information into a symbolic(representative) form to communicate a
message.
 The sender’s goal is to encode the message in such a manner so as to
ensure that it will be understood by the receiver
 The sender is an individual, group, or organization who initiates the
communication
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 The sender's experiences, attitudes, knowledge, skill, perceptions, and

culture influence the message.
 "The written words, spoken words, and nonverbal language selected are
main in ensuring the receiver interprets the message as intended by
the sender"
 All communication begins with the sender
 In order to convey meaning, the sender must begin encoding, which
means translating information into a message in the form of symbols
that represent ideas or concepts.
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 When encoding a message, the sender has to begin by deciding what

he/she wants to transmit.
 It is important for the sender to use symbols that are familiar to the
intended receiver.
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Message: The encoding process leads to the development of a message

 Messages can take a variety of forms and may include symbolic forms
or signs.
 The message must be put into a transmittable form that is appropriate
for the channel of communication being used.
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Channel: The channel is the method or medium by which the

communication travels from source or sender to receiver.
Channels of communication exist as two types:
1. Personal Channels: involve direct interpersonal contact with target
individuals or groups. For example a salesperson serves as a personal
channel of communication when delivering a sales presentation.
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2. Non -personal channels: carry a message without involving

interpersonal contact between sender and receiver. These channels are
often referred to as the mass media as messages transmitted through
them are sent to many individuals at one time. The two major categories
of non-personal channels are print and broadcast media.
 To begin transmitting the message, the sender uses some kind of
channel (also called a medium)
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 The sender's decision to utilize either an oral or a written channel for

communicating a message is influenced by several factors, that is
 The sender should ask him or herself different questions, so that they
can select the appropriate channel.
 The extent to which this person comprehends the message will depend
on a number of factors, which include the following: how much the
individual or individuals know about the topic etc.
 All interpretations by the receiver are influenced by their experiences,
attitudes, knowledge, skills, perceptions, and culture. It is similar to the
sender's relationship with encoding.
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Receiver/Decoding: The receiver is the person(s) with whom the sender

shares thoughts or information.
 Once the message is received and examined, the stimulus is sent to the
brain for interpreting, in order to assign some type of meaning to it.
 Successful communication takes place when the receiver correctly
interprets the sender's message.
 The extent to which this person comprehends the message will depend
on a number of factors, which include the following: how much the
individual or individuals know about the topic etc.
Cont.…

 All interpretations by the receiver are influenced by their experiences,

attitudes, knowledge, skills, perceptions, and culture. It is similar to the
sender's relationship with encoding
Cont..

Noise: Throughout the communications process the message is subject to

noise which refers to factors that can distort or interfere with adequate
reception or comprehension.
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Response/Feedback: response refers to the reaction the receiver has

after seeing, hearing and/or reading the message.
 Feedback provides the sender with a way of monitoring how the
message is being decoded and received by the target audience.
 Without feedback, the sender cannot confirm that the receiver has
interpreted the message correctly.
 Feedback is a key component in the communication process because it
allows the sender to evaluate the effectiveness of the message.
What is effective
communication?

 Effective communication is the process of delivering messages to a

target audience in a way that guarantees satisfactory reaction and
understanding.