Introduction to Communication Essay.
University of Phoenix Material
BSCOM/100
Introduction to Communication Worksheet
Paragraph Questions
Answer the following questions in your own words. Each response must be written as an academic paragraph of at least 150 words. Be clear and concise and provide explanations for your answers. Format your sources consistent with APA guidelines.
- According to Communication: Principles for a Lifetime (2013), what is the definition of communication? What are the fundamentals of communication? What does communication mean to you personally? Provide an example.
The basic definition of communication, the process of acting on information is what best describes what someone will do in response to actions or words as they understand them. Although, the focus here is on human communication. This would be trying to make sense of what is happening around us and sharing it with others with the use of non-verbal or verbal actions.
There are five fundamental communication principles. They are be aware of your communication with yourself and others, Effectively use and interpret verbal messages, effectively use and interpret verbal messages, listen and respond thoughtfully to others, appropriately adapt messages to others.
I believe that communication is about making sense of things we experience and then sharing that experience with others in a form that is understandable. Well-presented information either verbally or non-verbally will give meaning to those receiving it which will allow an intelligent interpretation to occur.
An example is when I say, I Love You. Although words are only one part of the equation, the tone and manner how I present those words can make or change the interpretation.
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- Describe the differences between linear, interactional, and transactional communication.
Linear communication is where a sender encodes a message through a given channel and the message is encoded by a receiver. This is a straight-line communication as it is a one way communication. With this form there is no means for immediate feedback as typically found in radio, television or from a newspaper.
The Interactive Model takes the linear model and adds a second part to it. After a message is encoded and sent to the decoding receiver, the roles then reverse and the receiver encodes and sends a response to the original sender who has now turned receiver.
This allows for a feedback element that the linear level didn’t have.
In the Transactional Model, receiver and sender can play the same roles simultaneously, typically in a face-to-face interaction, where the receiver and sender can play the same roles simultaneously as messages can be sent back and forth.
- Why is communication critical to developing self-concept? Provide an example of how communication has helped you to develop your self-concept.
Individuals learn self-concepts through communication with other individuals, their association with groups, the roles they assume, and self-labels. Self-concept is everything one feels and thinks about oneself. For example, whomever a person meets and whatever they do during their life is filtered through the self, and our sense of self is at the center of all we experience. People think about themselves and what other people might think of them. It’s the way people think of themselves which affects his or her communication with others. Ultimately, we learn who we are by communicating with others.
Working in a service based job has allowed me to communicate with many different types of personalities. These interactions have given me the experience as to how I want people to perceive me and also how I think about myself. We are all in charge of how we act and those actions give off perceptions to others as to who you are. Helping to understand my self-concept has allowed me to be the person I want to be and allow others to see it as well.
Myth or Reality?
Identify whether each of the following sentences is a myth or a reality. Explain your answers.
- You communicate only when you consciously and deliberately choose to communicate.
Myth or Reality
This is a Myth. We communicate whether we are trying to or not. Communication can occur verbally or through our body language. Everyone communicates differently, either positive or negative but in all cases we do. Communication is a skill that we must all learn as you should what you are saying even when you’re not saying anything.
- Words do not mean the same things to the listener as they do to the speaker.
Myth or Reality
This is Reality. When you are interpreting what someone is saying, you have to consider their state of mind, culture, language barriers, etc. If the speaker is communicating clearly the message should be interpreted the same but there can always be hidden messages you need to take into account, such as sarcasm.
- You communicate primarily with words.
Myth or Reality
This is a Myth. Communication takes place by both words and by actions. You can speak with your body language without even knowing it. The words you speak can totally contradict what your body is saying. We have to earn how to communicate with both so they are saying the same thing.
- Nonverbal communication is not perceived solely through sight.
Myth or Reality
This is Reality. We can use all of our senses to communicate and sometimes without even knowing it. Your breathing can interpret something is wrong or excited, the way you touch someone can signal force or be one of a gentle touch.
- Communication is not a one-way activity.
Myth or Reality
This is Reality. Communication is more that speaking to deliver a message. Communication happens with how the speaker presents the information, and how clear the message is. The receiver can only interpret a message based off the information given and how clear the message is. Body language can also come into play as it can help solidity the message or confuse it.
- The message you send is identical to the message received by the listener.
Mythor Reality
This is a Myth. A message received by a listener is not always received in the manor it was intended. The tone of the speaker, what is actually being said, and how it is presented all play an important role in the delivery of the message. Also noise or other distractions can play a role in how the message is received or even perceived.
- You can never give someone too much information.
Myth or Reality
This is a Myth. If you are not listening what is being asked you can give way to information that is necessary or even be asked for. Your body language or how you are even presenting the information can be too much information. It all depends on what the receiver is looking for.
Matching
Match the seven contexts of communication with the appropriate definition by placing the letter of the definition in the blank.
| G___ Interpersonal | Communication within and among large, extended environments |
| E___ Intrapersonal | Communication between and among members of different cultural backgrounds |
| C___ Group | Communication with a group of people |
| D___ Public/Rhetorical | Communication to a large group of listeners |
| A___ Organizational | Communication with oneself |
| B___ Intercultural | Communication to a very large audience through mediated forms |
| F___ Mass | Face-to-face communication between people |
References
Beebe, S. A., Beebe, S. J., & Ivy, D. K. (2016). Communication: Principles For A Lifetime (6th ed.). : Pearson.