Chapter 1: Foundation of Human Communication

Human Communication

Chapter 1: Foundation of Human Communication

Overview The ability to communicate well is important to personal

and professional success. The course module prepares students to be effective communicators of the future by giving them an understanding of the principles and the

process of communication, combined with the acquisition of practical knowledge through self-tests and

group projects.

Overall, this module prepares students for careers in the communications field including Advertising, Public

Relations, Corporate Communication and Marketing

overview

• Human Communication - field of study

• Focus on understanding how people communicate in various ways

overview

• Language: Spoken, body/facial language, emotions.

overview

Communication skill is needed in everything… Asking for direction Discussing a movie with a friend Interviewing for a job Surfing the net Ordering food

The Purpose of human communication

To help To discover To relate To persuade To play

Chapter 1: Foundation of Human Communication Areas of Communication Components of Communications The Purpose of Communication

Areas of Communication

Communication is essential We have to communicate Communicate as speaker/listener aware of the

varied elements in the communication act

Communication Context

Social Psychological Context Physical Context Cultural Context Temporal Context

Social Psychological Context

i) Socio-psychological context includes the relationships among participants, the roles that people play. It also includes the friendliness or unfriendliness, formality or informality, seriousness or humorousness of the situation.

The communication among students in a graduate party when you talk about your future or how you are going to enjoy yourself by taking a holiday may not be appropriate in a hospital. If a patient is dying the last thing he wants to know is your holiday plan.

Physical Context

ii) Physical context is the concrete environment in which communication takes place – the room or hallway or park.

The physical context exerts some influence on the content of your message (what you say) as well as the form (how you say it)

In a large hall like this with more than 150 students present, the communication is mainly one way from the lecturer to students whereas in a tutorial with 15 people, the communication will be more interactive and more conversational in style.

Restaurant – fast food versus fine dining.

Cultural Context

iii) Cultural context has to do with your culture and that of others – the beliefs, values and ways of behaving that are shared by a group of people and passed down from generation to the next.

In China, the Chinese believe that it is good luck to wear new clothes in red colour during the Chinese New Year. Black is considered a bad luck colour during this time so it would be considered “rude” if you visit a Chinese home during this time wearing black.

Cultural Context

Consider this:

Acceptable in Asian countries An insult in United Kingdom!

Temporal Context

iv) Temporal (or time) context includes the time of day as well as the time in history in which the communication takes place.

For many people, morning is not a good time for communication. They are still sleepy. They haven’t had their coffee and they are not in a mood to discuss anything (communicate) with you. For others, morning is the ideal time because they feel they are at the peak of alertness to listen to you.

Temporal Context

For many people, morning is not a good time for communication.

They are still sleepy. They haven’t had their coffee and they are not in a mood to discuss anything (communicate) with you. For others, morning is the ideal time because they feel they are at the peak of alertness to listen to you.

Temporal Context

Historical context is also important because the appropriateness and the impact of the message depend on the time in which it was uttered

Components of Communications

Intrapersonal communicationTalking with one’s self to better learn and judge self

Interpersonal communication Interactions with a person with whom you have a

relationship Learn and reveal about others and self

Small group communication In small groups, you work with others to solve problems,

develop new ideas, and share knowledge and experiences

Communication Models

Linear Model of Communication

Speaker Receiver

Communication ModelsInteractional View

of Communicatin

Speaker

Listener

Listener

Speaker

Communication Models

Transactional View of Communication

Transactional View of Communication

Speaker/Listener

Speaker/Listener

The Components of Human Communication

Messages/Channels

Feedback

Feedforward

Messages/Channels

Source/Receiver

Source/Receiver

Noise

The Components of Human Communication Source-Receiver:

Two way role that interchanges actively in a conversation.

Source:Encode messagesSpeaks, write, gesture

Receiver:Decode messagesLISTEN, read, respond

The Components of Human Communication Message:

Words, text, literature, body language, interpretive dance, etc.VARIOUS FORMS.

Metamessage:Message in a message. Example: Mum orders to throw away rubbish, reluctantly said “YES MUM” but body language shows another message.

The Components of Human Communication Feedback & Feedforward message:

Response and preparation.

Feedback – from listener to speaker.

Feedforward – a pretext to the context.

“I’m sorry to say but…”“You’re really beautiful and nice, but…”“What you did was correct, however…”

The Components of Human Communication Channel:

Vocal channel – Spoken words

Visual channel – Hand gestures, body language…

Olfactory channel – Odors, smell…

Tactile channel – Touch

The Components of Human Communication

The Components of Human Communication Noise:

Physical Noise: Noise from car, train, bad handwriting, misspelled words

Physiological Noise: Hearing loss, memory loss…

Psychological Noise: Impressions, perceptions, prejudice…

Semantic Noise: Jargons, specific terms.

Games, doctor-patient, mechanic-customer…

The Components of Human Communication Effects:

Intellectual/Cognitive: Changes in your thinking and mind – knowledge adding.

Affective: Behavioral change. Exp: Horror Stories.

Psychomotor: Physical behavioral change. Exp: Learning the guitar.

EXERCISE

Identify the type of noise and effects:

1) Talking in Block A with a friend – conveying the message of how to do course selection

2) SMS a friend regarding your dead cat, but you typed ‘car’ instead.

3) Learning from a YouTube video on how to beatbox in your room ALONE.