1. Chapter 1: Intro to Communications
What is Communication?

2. Communication is a process
Communication is represented through
Symbols - anything that stands for an idea and is used for communication.

3. Examples of symbols Take out a sheet of paper.
Write your name, date, and class period at the top.
Title the assignment, “The Meaning of Symbols”

4. Instructions
Write down what the following symbols mean

5. What is this animal called? (you can be as specific as you want)

6. What is the item next to animal called?

7. What are the colors of the item next to the animal?

8. What is the stuff the animal is sitting on called

9. On the same sheet of paper, write down what the following words mean to you:
Friend
Cow
Home
Anger
President

11. Ambiguous, Arbitrary, and Abstract
Ambiguous - Symbols are not concrete; they change over time
Arbitrary - Symbols do not have a standard; they change depending on the person
Abstract - Symbols are not universal; they change from culture to culture
Basically, symbols change over time, person to person, and from culture to culture

12. S.M.C.R.F. Source - The person or thing that the message
Message - The message being sent
Channel - How the is being sent
Receiver - The person who the message
Feedback - How the receiver to the message

13. Channels
Communication can present itself in many forms. These can include:
Verbal (Oral) Communication
Written Communication
Nonverbal Communication

14. Types of Communication
Intrapersonal - Communication with one’s self (thinking)
Interpersonal - Communication with one or two others
Small Group - Communication with three to twenty people
Public Communication - Communication with a large audience

15. Things that block communication
Communication Barriers - Any that gets in the way of effective communication (sometimes referred to as “noise.”)
Attitudinal
Socio-Cultural
Educational
Environmental

16. Communication Barriers
Attitudinal Barriers
Definition: Letting your mental attitude prevent you from listening
Cheesy Examples:
“I hate math, so I’m just going to tune this out.”
“I don’t like what you’re talking about, so I’m not going to listen.”
“I already know what you’re saying, so I’m not going to listen.”

17. Communication Barriers
Socio-Cultural Barriers
Definition: Refusing to listen to someone because they are from a different of than you
Examples:
“I won’t listen to people of a different race than I am.”
“She’s not the same religion as me; her opinion doesn’t matter.”
“Paul hangs out with a different group of people than I do; what he says is pointless.”

18. Communication Barriers
Educational Barriers
Definition: What you or know affects your ability to listen
“My teacher just used, like, 20 different words that I don’t know; how am I supposed to follow this…?”

19. Communication BArriers
Environmental Barriers
Definition: Allowing factors to affect your ability to listen to another’s message.
Example: It’s hard to focus on what this slide is saying with this irritating red light in the background, isn’t it?