Real Communication An Introduction

33

A Study Tool

Now that you have finished reading this chapter, you can:

Define the communication process:

c Communication is the process by which we use

symbols, signs, and behaviors to exchange informa-

tion (p. 4).

c Communication is much more complex than

“common sense” (pp. 4–5).

Describe the functions of communication:

c The functional perspective examines how

communication behaviors work (or don’t work) to

accomplish goals (p. 4).

c Relationships are the interconnections, or

interdependence, between two or more people that

function to achieve some goal (p. 6).

c Relationship interdependence means that what we

do affects others, and vice versa (p. 7).

c There are three primary functions in communication:

• Expressing affiliation, or feelings for others (p. 6).


• relationships (pp. 6–7).


• Negotiating control, over others (pp. 7–9).

Assess the quality or value of communication by

examining its six characteristics:

c Communication relies on symbols, arbitrary con-

structions related to the people, things, or concepts

to which they refer (p. 9).

c Communication requires a shared code, or a set of

symbols, that creates a meaningful message; encod-

ing is the process of producing and sending a mes-

sage, whereas decoding is the process of receiving a

message and making sense of it (p. 10).

c Communication is linked to culture, the shared be-

liefs, values, and practices of a group of people, and

co-cultures, smaller groups within a culture (p. 10).

c Communication may be intentional or

spontaneous (p. 11).

c Communication requires a channel, the method

through which it occurs (p. 11).

c Communication is a transactional process: you in-

fluence others while they influence you (pp. 11–12).

Define what communication scholars consider to be

competent communication:

c Competent communication is more process than

outcome focused (pp. 13–14).

c Ethics is the study of morals (p. 14).

c Communication is appropriate when it meets the

demands of the situation (p. 15).

c Behavioral flexibility involves knowing and

using a number of different behaviors to achieve

appropriate communication (p. 16).

c Communication is effective when it achieves

desired goals (p. 16).

c Communication skills are behaviors that help

communicators achieve their goals (p. 18).

Describe the visual representations, or models, of

communication:

c In the linear model, a sender originates the

message, carried through a channel—perhaps in-

terfered with by noise—to the receiver (p. 20).

c The interaction model expands on the linear

model by including feedback between the receiver

and the sender (pp. 20–21).

c The competent communication model is a transac-

tional model incorporating three contextual spheres

in which individuals communicate (pp. 21–22).

• Communicators: Cognitions, thoughts com-
  municators have about themselves, influence
  behavior, observable communication, and how
  the message is interpreted before preparing
  feedback. Cognitive complexity enables com-
  municators to think about multiple and subtle
  nuances in the messages of their partners (p. 23).


• Relational context: Communication occurs
  within the context of a relationship and is influ-
  enced by the relational history (pp. 23–25).


• Situational context: The circumstances surround-
  ing communication, influence communication
  (p. 25).


• Cultural context: Cultural identity, how individu-
  als view themselves as a member of a specific cul-
  ture, influences communication choices (p. 26).
  Describe why communication is vital to everyone:
  c The informed citizens become aware of the power
  of speaking out (p. 26).
  c Interactions and relationships occur between dyads,
  groups, organizations, speakers and audiences, and
  mass and mediated contexts (pp. 28–30).

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