Chapter 1: Essential Human Behavior Comm 101 Mickelsen

YOU ARE NOT COMMUNICATING!! Can you not communicate? Definition: Communication is the process by which individual use symbols, signs and behavior to exchange information. Activity: Give it try – see if you can NOT communicate. Outside of class– try it—do not tell people what you are doing and see if they accept that you are just not communicating. What about electronic communication –can you simply stop communicating without actually communicating a message

Understanding your perspectives about communication Babies communicate – watch the face of a baby and see if you can resist thinking that they are sending you a message. It’s just gas…. Talking – is effective communication? Lecture What about offensive messages? Body movements Is control better --tricking Propaganda Forcefulness Are communication behavior inborn and entirely nature? How many are actually learned Can you imagine if you communicated like the aforementioned baby?? Is speaking more important than listening? “If a tree falls in the woods and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?” Or perhaps the same quote with humor…. Steven Wright — 'If a man says something in the woods and there are no women there, is he still wrong?'

Fundamental Perspective The fundamental perspective examines how communication behaviors work (or don’t) to accomplish our goals in personal, group, public and organizational groups. Relationships are the interconnections or interdependence between two or more people that function to achieve some goal. Interdependence – what we affects others and others do affect us. Research of Wienmann and &Krueger, 1980 found that all communication serves the purpose of expressing affiliation, achieving goals or influencing others. ** Consider your communications – how much of your communications are composed of these?

Affiliation Definition: the affect, or felling, you have for others. You show how much you want to be connected to another person by expressing like, respect, love or the opposite. Beneficial functions – it feels good to be liked, accepted and loved. But, also when you are married, it can provide a stable life. You can express affiliation through verbal interactions like, “Hello, friend.” “I love you.” or in non-verbal ways like a handshake, a slap on the back or a hug. Media is another way of expressing affiliation with each other (Walther & Ramirez, 2009). More frequently these are expressed though emojis or memes.

Achieving Goals We rely on communication to complete tasks and objectives. Teaching others how to complete what We already know how to do. We also have desired outcomes in our Communications. Ex. One party wants to change the behavior of another without losing their affection. Ex. Using guilt to manipulate other people

Influencing others Control: The ability of one person, group or organization to influence others and the manner in which their relationships are conducted, is called control. Note: The amount of control you can control is finite. You can exchange affection infinitely….control is not the same. When relational partners are negotiating control – it can look like a power struggle.

Control Assessment….

How we communicate Characteristics of communication Symbolic : arbitrary constructions that refer to people, things or concepts. Connection strength – clear meaning of symbols or intended meaning Social groups, Couple Code : a set of symbolic behaviors that are group into patterns. Encoding: the process of mentally constructing a message for production. Decoding: the process of receiving a message by interpreting and assigning the meaning to it. This assumes that both people are using the same code. Failure to encode and decode can lead to failure to accurately and meaningfully decode the message.

Is language code? Language is an obvious example of sharing a common communication code. Some codes are more complex than just words. Gestures and signs can mean something very different to different groups Consider emojis …… The ones you send to mom The ones you sent to friends…. How about shortcut language…. Ex. LOL -- Laugh out loud or Lots of Love????

Communication and Culture Culture -- refers to the shared beliefs, values and practices of a group of people. Co-culture: smaller groups of people within a culture that are distinguished by features such as race, religion, age, generation, political affiliation, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, educational level, occupation. One word can mean two different things: consider the word “dope” to a teen it may mean, “very cool.” Compared to an adult – it may mean, “illegal substances.” Wearing hats can be decoded by an older generation as is disrespectful, but to younger generations acceptable behavior. To me pine tree means evergreen – to my husband, pine has a very specific meaning.

Is communication intentional? There are some behaviors and non-verbal signs that cross cultural boundaries: Blushing Laughing Crying Angry screaming/fighting What do you gather from this photo?

Channels of communication A channel is the method through which communication occurs. Relationships can be maintained by: Using the internet Social Media Cell phones Telephones Not everyone is adept at using those methods Long voice mails Calls with no message – just repeated hang ups People who are not situationally aware – Calling late at night Calling during work hours

Completing a transaction Communciation is a transactional process Sender ------------------------------------->>>>>>>>>>> Receiver ****Once the message is sent it cannot be reversed****** https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RvaakT52RjQ Other examples – Telling someone you like them…..but the feeling’s not mutual Accidentally revealing unknown information.

Competent Communication Competent communication – effective and appropriate for a given situation “it is not whether you win or lose – it’s how you play the game” Outcome – the product of the exchange Process – measures the methods by which an outcome is accomplished Competent communication focuses on the process – optimizing the outcome for both communicators Ethics --study of moral, moral choices made in communication and relationships. Ethics are considered when the standard of right and wrong impact communications

Competent: Appropriate and effective Communication is evaluated for situational appropriateness Example of state of the union – appropriate for situation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aeBksHwKl7c Behavioral flexibility – your willingness to use different communication behaviors in different situations Appropriateness is not the only factor in successful communications. It must also be effective. Effective == it helps you accomplish your goals. In practice it is not always easy to know which message will work. Communication skills are behavioral routines that are based on social understanding that are used to help meet goals, build relationships and work professionally.

Communication Models LINEAR MODEL NOISE Linear model is limited: CHANNEL FOR THE MESSAGE NOISE RECEIVER Receives the message SENDER Originates message Linear model is limited: No information on whether/how the message was received. Does not show the receivers activity in receiving the message. It is basic enough to build upon for other models.

Communication Models INTERACTION MODEL NOISE ENCODE ENCODE CHANNEL FOR THE MESSAGE DECODE DECODE CHANNEL FOR THE MESSAGE RECEIVER Receives the message SENDER Originates message FEEDBACK Interaction model: Communicators take turns sending messages. However, doesn’t occur in real time -- delayed messages – electronic may be delayed and communicators may move on to new topics.

Communication Models Competent Model ENCODE ENCODE COGNITION FEEDBACK FEEDBACK COGNITION NOISE DECODE CHANNEL FOR THE MESSAGE CHANNEL FOR THE MESSAGE DECODE BEHAVIOR VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL Communicators BEHAVIOR VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL Competent model: Exchange is transactional and occurs simultaneously Sending messages in the same moment in time with in a relational, situations and cultural context.

Spheres of the competent model 1. Communicators: Two are shown in the graphic, but any number may be involved. They are influenced not only by the exchange but also their cognition – their own thoughts, self-image and reflections and efficacy. They are influence by behavior: that which can be observed – verbal and non-verbal messages. Your cognitions inform your behavior -- especially as you are preparing feedback. You are interpreting the messages that are sent or that you believe are sent in a specific way. 2. Relational Context: The circumstances that form the setting and behavior that is appropriate for a relationship. 3. Situational Context: The circumstances that form the setting and behavior that is appropriate for a situation. 4. Cultural Context: The circumstances that form the setting and behavior that is appropriate for a situation.

Study of communication Basic Communication Process: Looks at the basic processes of perception, verbal communication, non-verbal communication and listening. Interpersonal Communication: Studies communication between dyads or pairs of individuals. Group or Organizational Communication: Looks at interactions in groups and organizations, as well as managing the follow of information and interaction among individuals or groups. Public Speaking: Studies effective methods for communicating your message as a speaker.