1. COMMUNICATION & COUNSELING SKILLS

2. Learning Outcomes for this Session Introduction to communication The value of communication process. Elements of communication process. Criteria of effective communication. Barriers to Communication Verbal and nonverbal communication.

3. Introduction to communication Communication is very important to human beings. It’s how information, sense, and knowledge are imparted, giving assurance that the world does not plunge into chaos. Communication is what makes us stay unified. Thus, it is important that we understand the communication process thoroughly so that we may be able to communicate effectively with everyone.communication process

4. Introduction to communication Health communication encompasses several areas including edutainment or enter-education, health journalism, interpersonal communication, media advocacy, organizational communication, risk communication, social communication and social marketing. It can take many forms from mass and multi Primarily, the communication process involves a sender and a receiver. Communication is not only limited to verbal, but it’s also by means of body language

5. Introduction to communication Health communication is a key strategy to inform the public about health concerns and to maintain important health issues on the public agenda. The use of the mass and multi media and other technological innovations to disseminate useful health information to the public, increases awareness of specific aspects of individual and collective health as well as importance of health in development.

6. The value of communication process. Health communication is directed towards improving the health status of individuals and populations. Much of modern culture is transmitted by the mass and multi media which has both positive and negative implications for health. Research shows that theory-driven mediated health promotion programming can put health on the public agenda, reinforce health messages, stimulate people to seek further information, and in some instances, bring about sustained healthy lifestyles.

7. What is communication? Communication is a process that involves exchange of information, thoughts, ideas and emotions. Communication is a process that involves a sender who encodes and sends the message, which is then carried via the communication channel to the receiver where the receiver decodes the message, processes the information and sends an appropriate reply via the same communication channel.

8. Communication Process

11. For an effective communication process, there are two primary steps, the sending and the receiving; however, feedback is also added to this, ensuring that the intent of the message is received accurately. There are four steps in sending the message: - formulate the meaning of the message itself - consider possible barriers - formulate the words you want to use for your message - clearly communicate the message to the receiver There are also four steps in receiving the message: - hear the message - overcome the barriers - decode the message with mental images - formulate the response -Thus, it will make the communication process into a cycle.

12. Communication Process

13. Elements of the Communication Process Communication can be very complex, as there are countless opportunities for sending or receiving the wrong message. In order to understand the complexity of the communication process you have to be familiar with the following terms we refer to as elements: Sender Receiver Encode Message Channel Decode Feedback

14. Communication Process

15. Elements of the Communication Process Sender: A person sending a message to another person. This person begins the communication process. The sender has a responsibility to formulate a message that will communicate exactly what he/she means. This involves the use of communication symbols that will convey this meaning. Receiver: The receiver is the person to whom the message (or communication) is directed.

16. Elements of the Communication Process Message: The reason for the communication process. It is the idea or information that the sender wants to pass on to the receiver. This is the encoded set of symbols that is conveyed by the sender and which consists of both verbal and non-verbal symbols that the sender wishes to transmit. The sender must formulate the message with clear language or symbols which will be easily understood by the receiver and which the receiver will be able to interpret accurately and respond to. The sender should also provide room for feedback in the message.

17. Elements of the Communication Process Channel: The channel is the medium through which the message is sent – for example whether it is sent verbally (by word in face to face or telephonic conversation), written (by writing such as memos, letters, faxes, e-mail) or signaled (by hand or other symbols). The channel carries the message from the sender to the receiver.

18. Techniques of the Communication Process Then there are four communication techniques and these are: encoding, decoding, response, and feedback

19. Techniques of the Communication Process Encoding: This technique is when the sender puts the message into language, symbols or signals, which may be understood by the receiver. The process of formulating the ideas of the message into meaningful symbols, words or signs, is known as encoding. It is important that the sender must encode the message in a way that it will be recognized and understood by the receiver, in order to make sure the receiver gets the message as intended by the sender.

20. Techniques of the Communication Process Decoding is when the receiver interprets the message and its meaning. Decoding is the process by which the receiver translates the symbols or words of the message into information that is meaningful to them. The process and success of decoding can be influenced by : Difference in perception and experiences between the sender and the receiver. Their different attitudes and what they already know about the topic of the communication. Different receivers could decode the same message differently, because of each one’s unique perception. Responding: This is when the receiver or even the sender of the message performs an action and responds to the message received.

21. Techniques of the Communication Process Feedback: It is the given response (reaction) back to the sender based on the meaning they attach to the message.. The feedback can be verbal, written or non-verbal. Even silence is non-verbal feedback, although it is often hard to interpret and can be misunderstood because it can either mean indifference, acknowledgement or a lack of understanding of the message. Because of all the different ways silence can be interpreted, this is known as negative feedback. It is important for the sender to design feedback methods in a way that would encourage understanding and positive feedback. These can be done by encouraging comments and questions from the receivers.

22. Barriers to Communication Noise’ and Barriers to Communication The problem is that communication is rarely as simple as this model would suggest. There are lots of different types of medium to send a message in and the way that the receiver perceives the message might be very different to that which the sender intended. Have you ever received a text message from a friend that you thought meant something different to what your friend intended?

23. Barriers to Communication

25. Noise in communication, is any distraction that interferes with the proper transmission of communication, so that the message from the sender cannot reach the receiver as it was intended by the sender to be understood. It is a major communication barrier, noise can be the background sounds at a site It could also be the accent of the sender, which may make it difficult for the reciver to understand the message he/she is trying to convey.

26. Barriers to Communication Noise: Noise hinders effective communication throughout the communication process. Noise can be from the external (surrounding) environment, such as from too many messages at the same time or background noise that interferes with a clear understanding of the message. We also refer to some receiver characteristics as ‘noise’, and this is where their emotions, ethnic background, age, education level or disabilities may distort or make a message misunderstood.

27. Barriers to Communication Barriers to communication can take many forms, which include: Language Technical content Lack of understanding of what the receiver wants or needs Inadequate feedback Emotional interference – can you really send out a clear message when you are upset, for example? The degree of knowledge and expertise of the sender and the receiver The quality of the information sent The use of an inappropriate medium Lack of trust or honesty in the source Cultural differences Poor listening skills The position or status of the source

28. Barriers to Communication

30. This means (1) taking special effort in encoding your idea (2) with the target recipient in mind. It is important to note that the words, tone and actions that you choose to encode your idea represent specific content meaning … therefore, choose them wisely. Next, you have to keep the target recipient in mind. Does the recipient understand the words used? Does the recipient have the maturity and enough experience to understand what is being communicated?

31. Barriers to Communication Coping with Noise in the Encoding Process There may be internal noises (i.e., your attitude about your position and your feelings) that interfere with the encoding process so much so that the message transmitted is NOT your intended idea. Recognizing this danger, what can you do to encode your idea clearly?

32. Barriers to Communication

33. Handling Noises in the Environment and in the Recipient There are noises that distort the message in transmission and decoding. Effective communicators take these noises into consideration when they are communicating. External noises along the channel of communication are sights, sounds and other stimuli in the environment that draw a recipient’s attention away from what is being communicated. The consequence of external noise is that the message may not reach the recipient in the same form in which it left you (i.e., the message received is NOT the message transmitted).

34. Barriers to Communication Moreover, the recipient also has to cope with internal noises. In this case, the internal noises (the recipient's attitude and feelings) interfere with the "decoding" process so much so that the message decoded is NOT the message received. Then there are semantic noises, the unintended meanings aroused by certain symbols inhibiting the accuracy of decoding. We need to maintain an empty closet where there are no unsettled grievances in the recipient's mind

35. Barriers to Communication

36. Basics of “Effective Communication ” The way you communicate helps other people to form an opinion about you, about your ideas or about a product/ services that you want to sell or buy. It doesn’t matter much if you have great ideas and you can’t transmit them in a effective way. Communication is a two-way process (speaking and listening) and you can’t be an effective communicator if you don’t master both.

37. Basics of “Effective Communication” Some tips about communication strategies.: Start by always mention the points in common and accept different opinions by others Nonverbal communication. What you do and how you do it is as important as your words. Transmit something that others can find useful. Find what they need and work on it! Be confident when you speak, being thoughtful but not emotional Keep different opinions out of the personal level. “Attack” divergent opinions, not the one that represents it Have a logical and organized presentation and avoid mixing concepts or ideas. Try to be clear and effective

38. Basics of “Effective Communication ”

39. Remember the five “C’s” of communication – Clarity, Completeness, Conciseness, Concreteness and Correctness.” Why Become a Better Communicator? One of the reasons why person cannot live in his/her best life possible is he/she cannot communicate effectively. The inability to engage in a meaningful conversation bars him/her to have productive relationships. We talk. Yes, we do. But talking does not mean we are good communicators. Actually, sometimes we turn out as terrible communicators because we just keep on talking, and forget listening.

40. Basics of “Effective Communication” Why should we strive to become a good communicator ? 1. Win the hearts of many - A good communicator is a healthy-relationship magnet. 2. Less stress - When we can avoid misunderstandings, it means we shy away from problems. 3. Attract Opportunities - Opportunities chase those who have speech power. 4. Confidence - Confidence is an asset. 5. Prevent waste of time and energy - Some worry about "how to say" things, instead of just focusing on "what to say." 6. Good reputation - An eloquent person attracts respect.

41. THANK YOU