Human Communication 101

Exercise: Personal Definition of Communication Write your own personal definition of Communication Choose a partner and Share your definitions with each other Work together to create one definition of communication that you both agree is comprehensive Be prepared to share your definition with the class

Our Definition of Communication Communication is the process of creating shared meaning between two parties, not just transmitting your own

© 2011 Cengage Learning

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AXIOMS of Human Communication

AXIOMS of COMMUNICATION Axioms are Foundational Truths that undergird our study and approach to Human Communication – regardless of the communication setting

1. Humans are Communicative Beings Humans are relational beings We journey from a state of dependency to independence and, ultimately, to a state of interdependence Life is interactive: We navigate our journey through constant interactions (relationships) with other people Communication is the currency we use on that journey

2. All Human Behavior is Communicative YOU CANNOT NOT COMMUNICATE Human beings are always sending messages from which others draw inferences or meaning

3. Communication is a Purposeful Activity We communicate to develop and maintain relationships. We communicate to exchange information. We communicate to influence others. We communicate to entertain We communicate to commemorate

4. Communication Is Guided by Culture Culture – The system of knowledge, beliefs, and values shared by a relatively large group of people. All communication is influenced by CULTURE Our communication is formed and interpreted through the cultural framework of each participant.

5. Communication is Irreversible and has Effects Every utterance has consequences and effects once it is made – once it’s out there, it’s out there You can extend, clarify, mitigate, or apologize for what you have said, but you can never take it back.

6. Communication Has an Ethical Dimension Ethics – a set of cultural principles that guide what we should expect in our communication interactions with each other: Truthfulness Integrity Fairness Respect Freedom of Expression

7. Communication Is Learned Just as you learned to walk, so too, you learned to communicate. Communication is a skill that can be taught, learned, developed, and mastered

Communication Settings INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION Communication between two people whose purpose is to define, maintain, and grow their relationship

Communication Settings GROUP COMMUNIUCATION Communication between 3 to 20 people who come together to accomplish a defined purpose – work, problem solve, plan a presentation.

Communication Settings PUBLIC COMMUNICATION Communication in which one person delivers a message to audience of listeners

The Public Speaking Model Context / Situation Objective The Public Speaking Process Observable Conditions 1. 2. 3 Speaker Noise / Interference

Context The situation in which communication takes place. Physical Space Social Historical Cultural Occasion © 2011 Cengage Learning

Participants The individuals involved in communication. Speaker the source of the message She/he has something to say Receiver  the target of the message The audience for the speaker’s message © 2011 Cengage Learning

Message The information that will be conveyed by the speaker to the audience ENCODING the process of transforming a speaker’s thoughts into the message that will be conveyed © 2011 Cengage Learning

Channels The mode by which the message is sent. Oral channel Aural channel Visual / Nonverbal channel Mediated / electronic channel © 2011 Cengage Learning

Feedback Reactions and responses to a message that indicate whether and how the message was heard. Did the audience understand what the speaker wanted them to understand? © 2011 Cengage Learning

Interference (Noise) Anything that hinders, interrupts, or disrupts the process of sharing meaning. Physical Noise (External) Psychological / Emotional Noise Cultural Interference Semantic Interference (Meaning) © 2011 Cengage Learning

Objectives and Outcomes Every speaker has a specific objective that compels him/her to speak and a desired outcome based on his/her words Your desired outcome (SUCCESS) will only come about if you successfully create shared meaning with your audience!

The goal of this course is to enhance your COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE so that you can successfully communicate with an audience

Definition of Communication Competence The ability to be effective & appropriate in your communication with others Communication is effective when it achieves its goals Communication is appropriate when it conforms to what is expected in a situation.

Developing Communication Competence Your level of Communication Competence is directly related to your level of Communication Confidence Your Communicator Confidence is directly related to your training and experience