2. What IS Communication? Communication is the process by which individual use symbols and behaviors to exchange information Share Meaning Create Understanding Develop Relationships
3. Communication is a process defined by six characteristics: Communications is: Symbolic A Shared Code Linked to Culture Intentional Mediated Transactional
4. Symbolic Symbols such as language A Shared Code Encoding = mentally constructing Decoding = interpreting and assigning meaning Linked to Culture Shared beliefs, values, and practices Intentional Really? Interpersonal vs Intrapersonal Mediated A medium to “transport” symbols; channels Transactional Sender and Receiver
5. Functions of Communication: Affiliation – gain acceptance Achieve goals – task oriented Influence others – control
9. Perception Process of becoming aware of objects and events from the five senses and beyond How we assign meaning – the heart of communication Quick categorization of information/input
10. Perception Process Selection – identifying information we will attend to and which we will ignore (schemas) Organization – filing system for the brain, categorization. (stereotyping) Interpretation – making sense out of the information; assign meaning.
11. Changing our perceptions Understand ourselves; self actualization Understand how we manage our own circles of influence and identities – changes over time Words crystallize perceptions Check with others Distinguish between facts and inference Monitor the self-serving bias
13. Language The system of symbols (words) that we use to think about and communicate experiences and feelings
14. The Nature of Language Language is symbolic Words have multiple meanings Denotative meanings – consistent definition Connotative meanings – emotional response Thought informs language and vice versa (cognitive language)
