Chapter 1: What Is Communication?
All communication is composed of three parts that make a whole: sharing, understanding, and meaning.
Sharing means doing something together with one or more person(s). In communication, sharing occurs when you convey thoughts, feelings, ideas, or insights to others. You also share with yourself (a process called intrapersonal communication) when you bring ideas to consciousness, ponder how you feel about something, figure out the solution to a problem, or have a classic “Aha!” moment when something becomes clear.
The second keyword is understanding. “To understand is to perceive, to interpret, and to relate our perception and interpretation to what we already know” (McLean, 2005). Understanding the words and the concepts or objects they refer to is an important part of the communication process.
Finally, meaning is what you share through communication. For example, by looking at the context of a word, and by asking questions, you can discover the shared meaning of the word and better understand the message.
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
- Understand the importance of group communication
- Define communication and describe communication as a process.
- Identify and describe the eight essential components of communication.
- Identify and describe two models of communication.
- Identify ways in which group communication differs from interpersonal communication.
- Identify relationship and task advantages and disadvantages of working in groups versus individually.
INTRODUCTORY EXERCISES
- Watch the following 8-minute video reviewing Types of Communication.
(Hafiq, 2015)
- INTRODUCING GROUP COMMUNICATION
a. Think of five words that express what you want to do and where you want to be five years from now. Share your five words with your classmates and listen to their responses. What patterns do you observe in the responses?
b. With the results of introductory exercise #1 in mind, please list what you can do and where you could be in five years without support, interaction, or collaboration with anyone other than yourself. Share and compare your results with classmates.
c. Create a list of at least 10 groups to which you belong. Family, church, friends or clubs, online groups, and even this class count! Share and compare your results with classmates.
KEY TAKEAWAYS
- Interpersonal communication is any message exchanged between two or more people.
- Written communication is any message using the written word.
- Verbal or oral communication is any message conveyed through speech.
- Nonverbal communication is any message inferred through the observation of another person.
Doing something together with one or more person(s). In communication, sharing occurs when you convey thoughts, feelings, ideas, or insights to others.
To perceive, to interpret, and to relate our perception and interpretation to what we already know.
What we share through communication.
