Pengantar Ilmu Komunikasi - Definisi, Fenomena, dan Karakteristiknya

Summary

This lecture introduces the fundamentals of communication science, exploring definitions, phenomena, and key characteristics. It contrasts Harold Lasswell's view of communication as a message-transmitting process with John Fish's perspective of communication as meaning production shaped by culture. The session highlights the study of social, human-centered, and intentional interactions, emphasizing the importance of cultural, ethical, and competency considerations. Six essential characteristics are outlined: dynamic and transactional processes, irreversibility, cultural influence, ethical guidance, competency-based execution, and adaptability to media and technology. Practical examples, from language variations to digital communication, illustrate how context shapes effective interactions in everyday and professional settings.

Takeaways

• 😀 Communication can be defined in multiple ways, including as a process of transmitting messages or as a process of producing and exchanging meaning.
• 😀 Harold Laswell’s model explains communication as 'Who says what to whom in which channel with what effect?', emphasizing message transmission and effects.
• 😀 John Fish views communication as socially and culturally based, where meaning is exchanged within cultural contexts.
• 😀 Communication phenomena focus primarily on human interaction and intentionality, with a clear purpose and goal behind messages.
• 😀 Not all communication phenomena are suitable for study; research typically focuses on social and measurable human interactions.
• 😀 Communication is dynamic, involving symbolic and transactional processes, where encoding and decoding occur simultaneously.
• 😀 Once a message is sent, communication is irreversible and cannot be repeated; its effects on the audience are permanent.
• 😀 Communication is heavily influenced by culture, affecting symbols, language use, and interaction styles.
• -
• 😀 Ethical considerations are integral to communication, as societal values, norms, and moral principles shape message delivery and reception.
• 😀 Effective communication relies on the competency of the communicator, which includes knowledge, motivation, skills, and audience awareness.
• 😀 Communication evolves with media and technology, changing the style, reach, and interaction patterns in modern contexts.
• 😀 Understanding communication requires analyzing both the process and its social, cultural, and technological contexts.

Q & A

What is the main focus of Harold Lasswell's definition of communication?

Harold Lasswell focuses on communication as the process of transmitting messages, formulated as 'Who says what to whom, in which channel, with what effect?' emphasizing the sender, message, recipient, medium, and effect.

How does John Fish define communication differently from Lasswell?

John Fish defines communication as the process of producing and exchanging meaning, emphasizing the cultural and social context in which interactions occur, rather than just message transmission.

Why is culture considered important in communication according to the lecture?

Culture shapes the meanings of symbols, language, and norms in communication. Understanding cultural context ensures messages are interpreted correctly and reduces the risk of misunderstanding.

What are the essential elements of communication phenomena that can be studied?

The study of communication phenomena requires human participants and intentional interactions with a purpose or goal, focusing on socially relevant contexts rather than animals or metaphysical events.

What does it mean that communication is dynamic?

Communication is dynamic because it involves continuous symbolic and transactional processes where encoding and decoding occur simultaneously, allowing interactive exchanges of meaning.

Why is communication considered irreversible and unrepeatable?

Once a message is sent, its effect on the recipient cannot be undone, making it crucial to carefully consider the content and potential consequences of messages, especially in high-stakes situations.

How do ethics influence communication?

Ethics guide what is considered appropriate, right, or wrong in communication. Messages that violate societal values or norms may lead to misunderstandings or negative consequences.

What role does communicator competence play in effective communication?

Competence, including knowledge, motivation, and skill, determines how effectively a communicator can convey a message, adapt to audience needs, and ensure understanding and engagement.

How does media and technology affect communication?

Advances in media and technology change the way communication occurs, influencing style, methods, audience interaction, and the need for different rhetorical or public speaking approaches.

Can communication occur without a social or human context?

No, communication phenomena studied in communication science must involve human interaction and socially relevant contexts, as communication inherently involves intentional exchanges between people.

What is the difference between encoding and decoding in communication?

Encoding is the process of formulating or designing a message using symbols understood by both parties, while decoding is the process of interpreting or translating the message by the recipient.

Why might messages be misunderstood despite communication taking place?

Misunderstandings can occur due to cultural differences, inappropriate symbols, ethical misalignment, or differing interpretations, highlighting the complexity and dynamic nature of communication.