CHAPTER 1

WHAT IS COMMUNICATION ?
GOALS OF CHAPTER 1
1. Debunk myths of communication
2. Understand the transactional nature of human communication
3. Diagnose communication problems using communication competence model
effective and appropriate transactions- the theme of this text
4. Understanding the five global ways to achieve communication competence
5. Recognize and create a cooperative,not competence communication climate in
a variety of contexts
The Three Communication Myths
1. Communication is a cure all
2. Communication is just common sense
3. Communication quantity equals quality
DEFINING COMMUNICATION
“A transactional process of sharing meaning with others” (pg. 9)
DEFINITION
● a systemic process in which individuals interact with and through symbols to
create and interpret meaning
LET’S BREAK THAT DOWN
● a systemic process in which individuals interact with and through symbols to
create and interpret meaning
a. SYSTEMS
b. PROCESS
c. SYMBOLS
d. MEANING
i. CONTENT LEVEL- what is said
ii. RELATIONSHIP LEVEL - how the message defines or redefines the association between
individuals
TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
● Intrapersonal- communication with self

● Interpersonal- relationship level of

communication

● Group Communication- interaction with a

limited level of persons

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
● Public Communication- designed to inform or persuade audience

members

● Online or machine-assisted communication- building of relations using

computers and the internet

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
● Sender- persons who formulate, encode, and transmit

a message

○ person speaking, writing a message

● Receiver - persons who receive, decode and interpret

a message

○ reads your text, listener

TYPES OF COMMUNICATION
● Messages- context of a communicative act

● Channel - medium through which a message is sent

● Noise- anything that interferes with or distorts the

ability to send and receive messages

● Context - setting

● Feedback- information returned to a message source

○ Positive feedback- behavior enhancing response

○ Negative feedback- response that extinguishes behavior in progress

● Fields of Experience- experiences you have accumulated over time

3 MODELS
- Linear/ Mathematical Model
- Interactional Communication Model
- Transactional Communication Model
LINEAR COMMUNICATION
INTERACTIONAL COMMUNICATION MODEL
TRANSACTIONAL MODEL
FOR COMPARISON
ACTIVITY
YAY
WHY IS THIS IMPORTANT- BEYOND THE
FINAL
-Communication is not common sense

- You don’t have the same shared experience as anyone else and it is important to
know how to communicate your experience

- To build/ maintain relationships

- To gain a better understanding of others and what might be impacting the

messages they are sending

https://www.ted.com/talks/melissa_marshall_talk_nerdy_to_me/