Real Communication An Introduction

22 Part 1  Basic Communication Processes

and Jalissa are simultaneously encoding (sending) and decoding (receiving) com-

munication behavior.

This transaction changes slightly with different types of communication. For

example, in a mediated form of communication—a Facebook posting or texting,

for example—the sending and receiving of messages may not be simultaneous.

In such cases, the communicators are more likely to take turns, or a delay in time

may elapse between messages. In mass media such as TV or radio, feedback may

be even more limited and delayed—audience reactions to a TV show are typi-

cally gauged only by the Nielsen ratings (how many people watched) or by com-

ments posted by fans on their blogs.

The competent communication model takes into account not only the

transactional nature of communication but also the role of communicators

themselves—their internal thoughts and influences as well as the various

contexts in which they operate. There are four main spheres of influence at play

in the competent communication model:

c The communicators. Two individuals are shown here, but many variations

are possible: one speaking to an audience of two hundred, six individuals in

a group meeting, and so on.

c The relationships among the communicators.

c The situation in which the communication occurs.

c The cultural setting that frames the interaction.

Let’s take a closer look at each of these influences.

cognition

encoding

decoding decoding

encoding

cognition

Behavior

verbal and

nonverbal

Behavior

verbal and

nonverbal

Communicators

Cultural^ Context

Situational^ Context

Relational^ Context

chan

nel^ fo

r^ the^

messa

(^) channel (^) for ge
(^)
(^) th
e (^) me
ssag
e
erP
ap
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(^) fe
ed
ba
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Pre
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FIGURE 1.3
COMPETENT
COMMUNICATION MODEL