1. Human Communication 101

2. 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

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

5. © 2011 Cengage Learning

6. AND

8. AXIOMS of Human Communication

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

10. 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

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

12. 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

13. 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.

14. 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.

15. 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

16. 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

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

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

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

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

21. Context The situation in which communication takes place.
Physical Space
Social
Historical
Cultural
Occasion
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22. 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
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23. 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
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24. Channels The mode by which the message is sent. Oral channel
Aural channel
Visual / Nonverbal channel
Mediated / electronic channel
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25. 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?
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26. 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

27. 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!

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

29. 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.

30. 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