Chapter 2
Communication (Journal) How often have you thought you explained something well only to discover that your friend did not understand? What silly conversational mistakes have caused some serious misunderstandings in your life? Can you identify exactly why the problems happened
Communication is A process of sending and receiving communication Communication involves certain essential elements Verbal messages Non- verbal messages Perception Channel Feedback context
Verbal Messages Are spoken words, we use for communication Involve both the choice of words and the order of the words in a sentence Words do not have same meaning for everyone Words also change meaning over time Communicators need to know how to select the most exact words to get their message across accurately
Idiomatic expressions Cannot really derived from literal meaning of the words Examples: Keep tabs on Take a walk Beat the clock Bite the dust Pull a fast one Raise the roof
Who might understand the meaning of these statements? Whisk vinegar, olive oil, and shallots together Write an equation for each problem Use a clove hitch a tie and line to the piling Click a start button in Windows Vista The switch- hitter is 5 to 21 with three home runs The next five measures are andante
Predict what problems someone might have in understanding the following statements: Don t have a cow, man. Quit acting like a wannabe. Take the scoop up and attach it to the batten.
Differences in Meaning Different people may have difficulty understanding the same message even when all the words are English. Not all words mean the same thing to all people Even a simple word like right has different meaning in different situations. I have a right to know I have a right answer Take a right turn
Small Group List a possible meaning of the following words and phrases: Expensive party See you later Tall hot What a day! Free bad She is cool. What s on Friday night? That s an interesting video.
Meanings Denotative: definitions found in dictionary Connotative: an emotional or personal response (positive or negative) to a word For example: Most people would have positive emotional responses to the words home, peaceful, cozy, and friend and negative responses to the words liar, anxious, filthy and terrorist.
Changes in Language Language changes constantly Old words may disappear entirely or their meanings may change Example: The word clepe meaning to call or name has disappeared from ordinary use. The word score dates from the 14 th century, and one early definition of the word is twenty Who used the word score in one of his famous speech?
Slang Informal language It is unique to a particular group These word change often Used in informal conversations Within a certain age groups Most often understood by small number of people
Interact Interview someone over the age of fifty. Ask the person list ten words in use today that he/ she did not know as a young person. Combine your list with the lists of three or four other classmates and share your findings with the class.
Nonverbal Messages Messages expressed without words. appearance, facial expression, eye contact, posture, gestures and voice affect how words are understood Factors like space, time and place play a major role We depend heavily on wordless communication
Appearance We probably make quick first judgment about others based on appearance Who would you ask for directions if you are lost? How we dress, hairstyle, use make up and decorations send message
Facial Expression & Eye Contact Smiles or frowns tells others a great deal about how a person is feeling It reveals quickly that a person is angry, happy, frustrated or nervous People believe eyes are the most expressive part of the body Read feelings such as anger, surprise or delight The eyes are the windows to the soul
Posture, Walk & Gestures
Voice Not what is said but how it is said conveys important messages Pitch high or low tone of voice Rate quickly or slowly; the pace Vocal Quality tone or sound of voice Volume the loudness and softness of voice
Voice Some voices put listeners to sleep and others make listeners to pay attention You need to vary your voice in order to hold your audiences attention Change in voice make your speech interesting and help make your meaning clear
Space, Time and Place Contextual clues Bubble Rushed Privacy Setting shape the way you communicate
Speaking Non- Verbally 1. Handout for Pantomime 2. Read the handout carefully 3. The Pantomime speeches are due
Feelings You depend heavily on nonverbal messages to understand feelings and attitudes. Good communicators learn to read nonverbal cues rather than relying only on the verbal message so much is communicated nonverbally. actions speak louder than words.
Nonverbal and cultures Nonverbal messages differ according to culture. Many American business executives have to be taught how to understand the nonverbal messages of different cultures
Good communicator Verbal and nonverbal messages are central to the communication process. A good communicator sends and interprets both verbal and nonverbal messages skillfully. Communicator understands the vocal production process. Messages are only one element of the whole communication process.
Perception The process of giving information you learn through your five senses is called perception. It involves two steps: 1. Something affects your senses. (You see, hear, taste, smell, or touch something) 2. You interpret and explain the sensation to yourself. (You give meaning to what you are seeing, hearing, tasting, smelling, or touching)
Perception The meaning of a message tends to change as it moves from person to person. This explains many misunderstandings and conflicts that interfere with communication. The meanings change because the perception process can vary with the individual.
Physical Difference Most people have the use of all their senses, they may have very different abilities. Far or near sightedness Variant hearing Such physical problems may affect a person ability to take in information through his or her senses.
Past Experiences Our past experiences add to differences to perception and to our ability to understand what we perceive. Past experiences may range from those that are considered general, to those shared by many people you know. Your past experiences will influence how you accept or reject a message. They also influence how people talk and how they listen.
Present situation How you feel mentally and physically also affects communication. If you have a headache or daydreaming about a person you like, it may keep you from paying close attention to a conversation.
Channel of Communication People need a way to send and receive their messages. All messages are sent through a channel that uses the human senses. It is a means by which a message is transmitted. Like a television set or a radio, you have many channels and can switch them at will.
Channels of Communication People tend to place greater importance on one channel than on another. Tone of voice Facial expressions Sight Movement touch
Noise When a person has trouble understanding a message, there is said to be noise in the channel. Noise is anything that interferes with a listeners ability to receive a message. Internal External Noise in the channel can lead to faulty perception and misunderstanding.
Feedback To communicate successfully, Person A must interpret Person B s feedback accurately. When you are communicating, the person you are talking with responds to you verbally and nonverbally. Feedback consists of both verbal and nonverbal messages that tell speakers how they are being perceived.
Positive and Negative Feedback Positive feedback tells you to continue what you are doing. Negative feedback tells you there is a problem to deal with or lets you know the listener does not agree with your ideas. It is important to recognize whether a listener is confused or whether a listener is disagreeing.
Self- Feedback Self- feedback is the message you give yourself as you pay attention to your own behavior. Communication goes smoothly when speakers and listeners pay attention to feedback. Without feedback, speakers and listeners would not be able to adapt to each other.
Context - Context is the setting and people that surround a message. It provides the background that helps reveal the message s real meaning. Setting is first part of context. It involves time, place and occasion