Model of Communication

Summary

This video script delves into the intricate process of human communication, highlighting the roles of verbal and nonverbal cues, the importance of encoding and decoding messages, and the influence of context and channels on message interpretation. It underscores the complexity of conveying clear and appropriate messages amidst cultural, social, and personal factors, emphasizing the challenge of effective communication in our daily interactions.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ Communication involves both sending and receiving messages, and the process is more complex than it appears on the surface.
• 🔄 Encoding is the process of putting a message together, while decoding is taking a message apart and assigning it meaning.
• 💬 Verbal communication uses words as symbols, which are discrete and easy to perceive, such as in spoken language, written texts, and sign language.
• 🙊 Nonverbal communication includes everything beyond words, like facial expressions, posture, gestures, and non-word sounds. It is continuous and can be harder to interpret.
• 🗣️ Verbal communication can be vocal (spoken words) or nonvocal (written words), while nonverbal communication can also be vocal (grunts, sighs) or nonvocal (body movements, facial expressions).
• 📡 The channel through which a message is sent (e.g., text, face-to-face, social media) can significantly influence how the message is interpreted.
• 🔊 Noise refers to any interference in the communication process, which can be external (like loud sounds), psychological (preoccupying thoughts), or physiological (fatigue, illness).
• 🌍 Context plays a crucial role in communication by setting the rules and norms for interaction, which vary across different cultures, relationships, and environments.
• 📝 Feedback is the response received after a message is sent, providing clues about how the message is understood and allowing for adjustments in communication.
• 🤔 Effective communication requires understanding both the verbal and nonverbal cues within the given context, making it a complex process influenced by multiple factors.

Q & A

What is the basic definition of a communicator in the context of human communication?

A communicator is a person who sends messages to and receives messages from other people, which involves a more complex process than it might initially seem.

What is the encoding process in communication?

Encoding is the process of putting a message together, which can be intentional or unintentional, and is crucial before a communicator can send a message to another person.

How does verbal communication differ from nonverbal communication?

Verbal communication includes the use of words in writing or speaking, including sign language, which uses specific movements to convey meanings. Nonverbal communication encompasses all other forms of communication that do not involve words, such as facial expressions, posture, and body movements.

Why are symbols important in verbal communication?

Symbols, such as words, are important in verbal communication because they are discrete units with a distinct beginning and ending that can be perceived as a whole and used to communicate thoughts and ideas to others.

What is the role of nonverbal communication in conveying a message?

Nonverbal communication surrounds and complements the use of words, providing additional layers of meaning and context that can influence or even change the interpretation of verbal communication.

How does the channel of communication affect the interpretation of a message?

The channel of communication, such as face-to-face conversation or texting, can carry additional meanings that can influence or completely alter the intended meaning of a message based on cultural, social, and personal expectations.

What is noise in the context of communication models?

In communication models, noise refers to anything that can interfere with the communication process, including external factors like loud music or psychological factors like preoccupation, which can affect how information is perceived or understood.

What is the significance of context in communication?

Context is the setting in which communication takes place, and it contains rules and norms that regulate how people communicate, influencing behavior and the interpretation of messages based on cultural, organizational, and social expectations.

What is feedback in communication and why is it important?

Feedback is the response received in reaction to the messages a communicator sends to others. It is important because it provides clues about how information is being understood by others and allows the communicator to adjust their messages accordingly.

How does the complexity of human communication present a challenge?

The complexity of human communication presents a challenge because it involves multiple elements such as encoding, decoding, verbal and nonverbal cues, channels, noise, context, and feedback, all of which can influence the clarity and appropriateness of the message being communicated.

Outlines

00:00

💬 The Complexity of Human Communication

This paragraph introduces the concept of human communication, emphasizing its complexity. It outlines the basic elements of communication and how they interact to create meaning. The paragraph explains the role of a communicator, who both sends and receives messages. It delves into the encoding process, which is crucial before a message can be sent. Encoding is the assembly of a message, and the paragraph provides examples of how this is done in verbal communication, including the use of words and sign language. The paragraph also touches on the unintentional aspects of encoding, such as sending messages with errors or without fully intending to convey certain information. It discusses symbols, which are used to communicate thoughts and ideas, and differentiates between verbal and nonverbal communication, explaining that while verbal communication is discrete, nonverbal communication is continuous and can be more challenging to interpret.

05:04

🗣️ The Interplay of Verbal and Nonverbal Cues

Paragraph 2 explores the significance of nonverbal communication, which can alter or reinforce the meaning of verbal messages. It highlights how nonverbal cues, such as tone of voice and body language, can change the interpretation of a message. The paragraph further categorizes communication into vocal and nonvocal forms, explaining that not all mouth sounds are verbal and that written words are a form of nonvocal communication. It underscores the importance of cultural, personal, and situational factors in decoding messages. The influence of the communication channel on the message's interpretation is also discussed, with examples illustrating how the same message can be perceived differently based on the channel used. The paragraph concludes by emphasizing the role of context in shaping communication and how it can affect the understanding of messages.

10:05

📢 Channels, Noise, and Context in Communication

Paragraph 3 delves into the concept of communication channels, which are the means by which messages are conveyed. It discusses how the choice of channel can significantly impact the message's interpretation, using the example of ending a romantic relationship through different channels. The paragraph also introduces the idea of noise in communication, which can be external or internal and can interfere with the message's clarity. Psychological and physiological noise are explained as factors that can distract from the communication process. The importance of context in communication is highlighted, explaining how the setting and social norms can regulate how messages are conveyed and understood. The paragraph concludes by discussing feedback as a crucial element of communication, which allows communicators to adjust their messages based on the responses they receive.

15:07

🔄 Constructing a Model of Communication

The final paragraph synthesizes the information presented in the video to construct a comprehensive model of communication. It reiterates the roles of encoding and decoding in both verbal and nonverbal communication and the importance of channels in message transmission. The paragraph explains how noise can affect the interpretation of messages and how context provides the rules and norms that guide communication. It emphasizes the continuous nature of feedback in communication and how it helps in understanding and adjusting messages. The paragraph concludes by acknowledging the complexity of human communication and the challenge it presents in achieving clear and appropriate interaction.

Keywords

💡Communicator

A communicator refers to an individual who engages in the act of sending and receiving messages. In the context of the video, a communicator is not just someone who speaks or writes but also someone who encodes and decodes messages, both verbally and nonverbally. The video emphasizes the complexity of this role, as it involves careful selection of words and symbols to convey intended meanings, as well as the interpretation of others' messages.

💡Encoding

Encoding is the process of assembling a message for communication. The video explains that this involves choosing words and symbols to convey a specific idea or emotion. It can be a deliberate act, such as carefully crafting a sentence, or an unintentional one, like quickly sending a text message without fully considering its implications. Encoding is a critical step in communication, as it determines how the message will be interpreted by the receiver.

💡Verbal Communication

Verbal communication encompasses the use of words to convey messages, which includes both written and spoken language, as well as sign language. The video highlights that verbal communication is discrete, using symbols like words that have distinct meanings. It is a fundamental aspect of human interaction, allowing for the expression of complex thoughts and ideas.

💡Nonverbal Communication

Nonverbal communication consists of all forms of communication that do not involve words, such as facial expressions, body language, and gestures. The video points out that nonverbal communication is continuous and can be more challenging to interpret than verbal communication. It plays a significant role in conveying emotions and attitudes, often providing additional context or even altering the perceived meaning of verbal messages.

💡Symbols

Symbols are the units of meaning used in communication, which can include words, gestures, images, and sounds. The video explains that symbols are discrete and can represent specific ideas or concepts. They are a crucial element in encoding and decoding messages, as they allow communicators to share and interpret complex information.

💡Decoding

Decoding is the process of interpreting and assigning meaning to a received message. It is the counterpart to encoding and is influenced by the receiver's background, culture, and personal experiences. The video emphasizes that decoding is a subjective process, as different individuals may interpret the same message in different ways based on their unique perspectives.

💡Channel

A channel in communication refers to the medium through which a message is transmitted, such as face-to-face conversation, phone calls, text messages, or emails. The video discusses how the choice of channel can significantly impact the interpretation of a message, as each channel carries its own set of connotations and expectations. For example, ending a relationship via text might be perceived as less considerate than doing so in person.

💡Noise

Noise in the context of communication models refers to any factor that interferes with the transmission or reception of a message. The video describes both external noise, such as loud music or interruptions, and internal noise, such as personal preoccupations or physical discomfort. Noise can distort or obscure messages, leading to misunderstandings or misinterpretations.

💡Context

Context is the setting or environment in which communication occurs. The video explains that context includes factors like time, place, relationship dynamics, and cultural norms, all of which can influence how messages are conveyed and understood. The context provides a framework for interpreting communication, and a mismatch in contextual understanding can lead to communication breakdowns.

💡Feedback

Feedback is the response or reaction received from others in response to a message sent. The video highlights that feedback is essential for communicators to gauge the effectiveness of their communication and to adjust their messages accordingly. It can be explicit, such as verbal affirmations, or implicit, such as changes in body language or facial expressions.

Highlights

Introduction to a model of human communication and its elements.

The complexity of the communication process and its overview.

Definition of a communicator as a person who sends and receives messages.

Encoding as the process of putting a message together before sending.

Verbal communication includes sign language and the importance of word choice.

Examples of encoding in verbal communication and its unintentional aspects.

Symbols as discrete units of communication with distinct beginnings and endings.

Nonverbal communication as continuous and more challenging to decipher.

The role of nonverbal cues in communication and their potential for confusion.

The impact of nonverbal communication on the meaning of verbal messages.

Categorization of communication into vocal and nonvocal forms.

The misconceptions surrounding vocal and verbal communication.

Decoding as the process of interpreting received messages.

Influence of a communicator’s background on communication interpretation.

The concept of channels in communication and their influence on message meaning.

Examples of how channels can alter the intended meaning of a message.

The role of noise in the communication process and its various forms.

The importance of context in communication and its influence on behavior and message interpretation.

Feedback as a response to messages and its role in communication.

The construction of a Model of Communication summarizing the discussed elements.

The complexity of communication and the challenges of effectively communicating with others.

Transcripts

Model of Communication

In this video we’ll review a model of human communication, the elements of communication,

and how the elements of communication work together to form meaning during

a communication instance.

Given the complexity of human communication, the information in this video provides

a general overview.

As the course progresses, the ideas presented in this video will be covered in more detail.

Let’s start with a single individual, a communicator.

A communicator is a person who sends messages to and receives messages from other people.

While this definition of a communicator might seem simple on the surface, it is more complex

than it seems and needs further explanation.

In the communication the process the acts of “sending” and “receiving,”

are fairly complex.

Before a communicator can send a message to another person,

the message must first be encoded.

Encoding is the process of putting a message together.

When it comes to using language, or rather, verbal communication, the encoding process

is fairly easy to perceive.

Humans use verbal communication whenever using words in writing or speaking.

Verbal communication includes sign language too, as sign language uses specific movements

that convey meanings of specific ideas, objects, thoughts, and feelings.

Have you ever taken time to carefully write then rewrite a sentence to ensure you’re

being as clear as possible?

Have you ever been careful to choose just the right words to convey what you are thinking

before speaking to another individual?

Of course you have, we all have.

Carefully considering which words to use (and the order of their use) in a given situation

is one example of encoding.

However, encoding verbal communication does not only occur when carefully and intentionally

considering word choice.

It often occurs unintentionally.

Have you ever sent off a text too quickly and, in rereading it, later found it contained

incorrect spellings or words?

There are a variety of humorous websites documenting such mistakes, like this one:

Dad: Come home soon.

We’re having the dogs for dinner Son: We’re eating our dogs?

Nooooooo!

Dad: HOT dogs, not our dogs.

Son: Ha!

You scared me there for a minute.

Have you ever said something in haste that you wish you could have taken back?

If so, maybe you didn’t encode the message a carefully enough and unintentionally sent

information you didn’t mean to send.

As mentioned, examples of encoding in verbal communication are fairly easy to perceive.

Why?

Because verbal communication uses words, and words are symbols.

Symbols are what we use to communicate our thoughts and ideas to others.

Symbols are discrete, with a distinct beginning and ending, and can be perceived in a single

instance as a whole.

For example, we easily can discern the first and last letter of a word.

We know which letter it starts a word and which letter it ends the word.

It’s contained and has a specific beginning and ending.

While this is an example of a word, which is a symbol, not all symbols are words.

Specific movements, gestures, images, and non-word sounds can be classified as symbols

as well --if they communicate a discrete thought or idea like a word does.

For instance: the peace sign, holding a hand up, palm forward, to communicate “stop.”

And, shrugging one’s shoulders to communicate “I don’t know.”

Communication that uses language is classified as verbal communication.

Everything else that is communicated, beyond the words in a language, is classified as

nonverbal communication.

Nonverbal communication is any information sent from one person to another that does

not fit the definition of a symbol.

Nonverbal communication can include our facial expressions, our posture, our movements, how

we smell, how we sound when saying something, and more.

Nonverbal communication surrounds our use of words.

However, not all communication instances use words.

Sometimes we communicate with each other without uttering a single word at all.

Unlike verbal communication that is discrete, nonverbal communication is continuous and

can be more difficult to decipher.

Continuous forms of communication don’t have distinct beginnings and endings as symbols

like words do.

Instead, they have indeterminate beginnings and may or may not have clear endings.

Many times, one form of continuous communication overlaps with others that can either add more

clarity or more confusion to what is being communicated.

For instance, if a person is crying, frowning, and has slumping posture all at the same time

we might assume accurately the person is sad.

But what if a person is crying and laughing at the same time?

Is that as easy to decipher?

Is the person so happy that it led to crying?

Is the person so sad that laughing was the only way to lighten the mood?

In many cases of nonverbal communication, it can be difficult to decipher what another

is thinking.

Sometimes, the only way you can know for sure what another is thinking is to ask.

And, even when asking directly, a person may not be truthful in the reply.

Have you ever heard the phrase, “It’s not what you say, it’s how you say it?”

This phrase highlights the importance of nonverbal communication.

For instance, there is a big difference between saying, hello, in a friendly manner and saying

it with a grunt in an unfriendly way – like saying hello accompanied by

a frown on one's face.

In this second example, is the speaker really happy to see the other person as the word

might indicate?

Probably not.

It’s important to note that nonverbal communication can influence or even change the meaning of

verbal communication sent.

Verbal and nonverbal communication work together to form messages, and people who receive messages

use both to try to understand what is communicated by others.

A further way to categorize communication, beyond verbal and nonverbal categories,

is by its origin.

Where did the information sent originate?

Beyond the categories of verbal and nonverbal, communication can also be categorized as either

vocal or nonvocal.

Vocal communication refers to sounds that come out of a mouth like words, grunts and

sighs, and how the sounds are presented including speed, loudness level, and more.

As both verbal and nonverbal communication can be vocal, so too can they be nonvocal.

Nonvocal forms of nonverbal communication do not come out of a mouth, like written words

and body movements.

It is a common mistake to assume that all sounds that that come from the mouth are verbal.

However, this is not the case.

Only the words that come out of a mouth are classified as verbal.

All the other sounds that come out of the mouth are classified as nonverbal because

they are not symbols.

On the other hand, another common mistake is thinking that all verbal communication

must originate from the mouth.

As mentioned earlier, anytime words and language are used, they’re classified as verbal communication.

Thus, words in mobile texts, term papers, books, and on computer screens are all classified

as verbal communication.

How words are presented and look is considered nonverbal communication.

As a communicator sends both verbal and nonverbal forms of communication vocally and/or nonvocally,

that communicator also receives these forms of communication from others as well.

When receiving information, a communicator needs to decode it and give

the information meaning.

As explained earlier, encoding is the process of putting a message together.

Decoding, on the other hand, is taking a message apart and assigning it meaning.

When receiving verbal and nonverbal communication, a number of factors influence how a person

will perceive the messages received.

A communicator’s background, including culture, age, economic-level, and life experiences,

all influence how she or he communicates and, in turn, interprets communication from others

during interactions.

For example, do you introduce yourself to new people or should you wait to be introduced?

In some societies, it’s considered rude to introduce yourself whereas in other societies

it is expected.

Similarities and differences in how people have learned to behave influence how humans

interpret each others’ behaviors and how they understand each other.

So far we’ve concentrated on behaviors of individual communicators that influence how

people understand each other.

There are also additional elements to the communication process that can effect how

people perceive what others communicate.

A term used to describe how information is sent from one communicator to others is called

a channel.

Common channels include face-to-face conversation, talking on a phone, texting, emailing, a handwritten note,

a newspaper article, and even a television advertisement -- to name a few.

Whatever carries a message from one communicator to another is labeled a channel.

In some instances, the channel selected to carry a message is so influential, that it

can influence or completely alter the intended meaning of a message.

Each channel brings with it additional meanings that can become part of a message sent.

For instance, if a person is going end a long-term romantic relationship on friendly terms, which

might be the most appropriate channel in which to send a message about ending the relationship?

Quickly sending a short text?

Leaving a long-handwritten note taped to a person’s door?

Publically posting the message on a social media site like Facebook or Snapchat?

Or, speaking to the person face-to-face?

The primary message of the communication is, “I am ending this romantic relationship

with you.”

However, the intended meaning of a message can be altered depending on the channel

through which it is sent.

Given the influence of a channel on a message, not only will the message, “I am ending

our romantic relationship” be communicated, but additional information can be inferred

from the channel chosen as well.

Sending such a message through a text might be interpreted as rudeness and communicate

additional information like, “Our relationship means so little, I am ending it with a few

words via a text.”

Or “Um, I’m too scared to talk to you about this, here’s a text because I am trying

to avoid you.”

Leaving a long-handwritten note is a bit better, but it might also imply something like, “I

am not strong enough to talk to you face-to-face about this.”

or “I have made up my mind, and I won’t give you an opportunity to discuss what is

going on with me.”

Ending a relationship via social media, where others can see it, could be especially painful

and lead to a loss of dignity.

This channel might send implied messages of “I want to humiliate you publically” or

“I hope others see that I ended things first and not you.”

Of the examples listed initially, an attempt to end a long-term relationship on friendly

terms might best be achieved by speaking to a partner face-to-face.

Although the primary message of “I am ending this romantic relationship with you” may

be difficult to send and receive, the face-to-face channel can imply messages like “you’re

important to me, and I care about how you feel, so I needed to discuss this with you

in person,” or “I wanted to give you the opportunity to express your feelings about

this to me,” and “Although I am ending this relationship, I respect you.”

Choosing an appropriate channel depends on accurately predicting the messages that will

inevitably accompany the channel selected to transmit it.

Choosing the appropriate channel depends on many factors including, but not limited to,

cultural expectations for communication behavior, the content of the message being sent, generational

expectations of appropriate behavior for the situation at hand, and your relationship

with the person or people with whom you communicate.

Another element that can influence the communication process is noise.

In communication models, noise is anything that can interfere with the communication

process and influences how people understand each other.

Noise can be external, like music playing so loudly that people speaking can’t quite

hear each other.

But, noise in the communication model doesn’t only refer to sounds.

External noise is any peripheral force that interrupts communication including things

like the lights suddenly going out, someone interrupting a conversation, or a room being

so hot it’s difficult to concentrate.

Noise can also be psychological.

Thoughts within a communicator’s own mind can interrupt communication.

Have you ever been so preoccupied with something that you cannot pay attention to what is

in front of you?

If so, you’ve experienced psychological noise.

There is also physiological noise.

Physiological noise has to do with an individual’s biology.

Sometimes we are too tired to pay attention, can’t clearly hear the message, or feel

too ill to process all the information being communicated.

All these forms of noise can interrupt information flow and can influence what we do and don’t

perceive or understand during communication.

Another element of communication that is always present is the context.

A context is where communication takes place.

Elements of a context that influence communication behavior include the rules people are supposed

to follow given what surrounds the communication overall.

Examples of elements in a context that can influence communication include the time of day,

the place where a conversation takes place, level of a relationship, and the number

of people privy to the communication.

Communication always occurs within a context, and the context contains rules and norms that

regulate how people communicate.

The rules and norms of contexts are based in cultural, organizational, and social expectations

and conventions.

For instance, people may be expected to speak quietly when in a library, but be encouraged

to yell and cheer at a sporting event.

People jump around, dance, and talk while musicians play at a rock concert, but sit

quietly and listen intently while musicians play at the symphony.

As with the channel, the context in which communication takes place influences human

behavior and the understanding of messages people share.

As you might have considered, some people don’t share the same rules or norms of behavior

for given contexts.

Not sharing the same rules or norms can lead to miscommunication or frustration between

or among people.

A final element in the process of communication is feedback.

Feedback is communication received in response to the messages a communicator sends to others.

When communicating with someone, how do you know that they agree with what you communicated,

are angry with what you communicated, or not paying attention to what you communicated

at all?

We “know” because during or after sending information, we pay attention to how people

react to both how and what we communicate.

When interpreting others’ reactions to our communication, we can alter our messages to

be more clearly understood or to best fit the intended purpose of communicating in

the first place.

With all of this information, we can now construct a Model of Communication.

Communicators send, receive, and respond to messages

Messages are encoded verbally and nonverbally before being sent and can be delivered vocally,

nonvocally, or both.

Messages are sent through a channel that carries information to others.

Given cultural, social, and personal expectations of how information should be sent, the channel

can influence how information is interpreted by others.

Information, while traveling from a communicator to others, can experience noise.

The noise can also influence how information is interpreted by others.

Received messages are decoded then interpreted, and the interpretation of messages is based

on a variety of elements including cultural expectations, personal experience, and context.

As verbal communication is discrete, often it is easier to decipher than nonverbal communication

which is continuous.

However, this is not always the case.

As people receive information, they respond via feedback.

Feedback offers clues as to how information is being understood by others.

Sometimes feedback is quite clear while other times it is difficult to decipher.

Feedback can be sent verbally, nonverbally, vocally and nonvocally.

All communication occurs in a context, and the rules and norms of a context are used

to guide interaction and interpretation of the communication that occurs within it.

And, the rules and norms that guide and influence communication can change from person to person,

from relationship to relationship, and from culture to culture.

From the information offered in this video, it should be clear that communication is

quite complicated.

Figuring out how to clearly and appropriately communicate with others is one of the great

challenges of being human.