COMM 303 Chapter 1

Summary

In this educational video, Dr. Fellers delves into the transactional model of communication, highlighting its components such as sender, message, channel, receiver, noise, and feedback. He emphasizes the importance of non-verbal cues and the impact of personal experiences on communication. The video also addresses communication apprehension, detailing its four types and their effects on individuals. Furthermore, Dr. Fellers connects these concepts to workplace ethics and the skills employers seek, such as collaboration and critical thinking, encouraging students to reflect on their communication values and ethics.

Takeaways

• 🗣️ The transactional model of communication involves a sender, message, channel, receiver, noise, feedback, and field of experience, emphasizing mutual influence between sender and receiver.
• 📝 The message in communication can be verbal or non-verbal, including body language and facial expressions, which are essential to understand in workplace interactions.
• 📡 Channels of communication encompass both modern methods like emails and traditional ones like letters, with non-verbal cues like emojis and voice pitch being significant in digital communication.
• 🔊 Noise in communication can be physical, psychological, or semantic, and it's crucial to be aware of these distractions to ensure clear message transmission.
• 🔄 Feedback is a vital part of the communication process, allowing the receiver to respond to the sender, which can be either verbal or non-verbal.
• 🌐 The field of experience or frame of reference is the unique set of life experiences, values, and attitudes each person brings to a communication interaction, impacting mutual understanding.
• 🤝 Employers value communication skills, collaboration, leadership, and critical thinking, which are often the focus of business and professional communication courses.
• 😨 Communication apprehension is the fear or anxiety associated with either real or imagined communication situations and comes in four types: trait, context-based, audience-based, and situational.
• 📚 There is an assessment in the textbook to measure an individual's level of communication apprehension, helping to identify personal areas for improvement.
• 👥 Ethical considerations in communication are vital, including integrity, honesty, and personal values, which should guide behavior in the workplace even if they differ from organizational standards.
• 💼 The course aims to develop students into ethical communicators who can navigate workplace challenges while upholding personal and professional standards.

Q & A

What is the transactional model of communication?

The transactional model of communication, also known as the interaction model, involves multiple components including the sender, message, channel, receiver, noise, feedback, and the field of experience. It emphasizes the mutual influence between the sender and receiver in a communication process.

What role does the sender play in the transactional model of communication?

The sender, also known as the source, is the person who creates the message and chooses the channel through which to send it. They are responsible for the initial transmission of information in the communication process.

Can the message in the transactional model be non-verbal?

Yes, the message in the transactional model can be non-verbal. Non-verbal communication, such as body language, facial expressions, and gestures, is included as part of the message that can be sent to the receiver.

What are the different types of channels through which a message can be sent?

Channels include face-to-face communication, computer-mediated communication like text messages, emails, voice recordings, phone calls, radio, television, and traditional forms like letters and books.

What is noise in the context of the transactional model of communication?

Noise in the transactional model refers to any distraction or interference that affects how the message is received. It can be physical, psychological, or semantic, impacting the clarity and understanding of the message.

What is feedback in the transactional model of communication?

Feedback is the response of the receiver to the message. It can be verbal or non-verbal and is essential for the sender to understand how the message was received and interpreted.

What is the significance of the field of experience in the transactional model?

The field of experience, or frame of reference, represents the unique background, values, experiences, and attitudes that each person brings to a communication interaction. It influences the understanding and interpretation of the message.

How does the transactional model of communication relate to workplace ethics?

The transactional model of communication is relevant to workplace ethics as it involves how individuals communicate ethically, considering factors like honesty, integrity, and respect for others within the communication process.

What are some skills that employers are looking for, according to the 2015 Bloomberg survey mentioned in the script?

Employers are looking for skills such as the ability to work collaboratively, strong communication skills, leadership, analytical thinking, and critical thinking, which are often taught in business and communication courses.

What is communication apprehension and what are its four types?

Communication apprehension is the fear or anxiety associated with either real or imagined communication situations. The four types are trait apprehension (enduring fear across various situations), context-based apprehension (fear tied to a specific context), audience-based apprehension (fear linked to a specific audience), and situational apprehension (fear experienced in a specific situation involving both the person and the context).

Why is it important for individuals to cultivate their own ethical standards in communication?

Cultivating personal ethical standards in communication is important because it helps individuals maintain integrity and act responsibly in their interactions, even if their organization does not hold the same values or standards.