This document provides an introduction to communication, including defining communication, identifying its key elements and principles, and explaining why it is important to study. It defines communication as a process of understanding and sharing meaning through symbols. The key elements identified are people, message, channel, feedback, code, encoding and decoding. Three common models of communication - linear, interaction, and transactional - are described. Principles of communication discussed include it being inescapable, irreversible, dynamic, and contextual. The document concludes with a recap of the key points.

1. WEEK 1:COMMUNICATION
TOPIC 1: INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION 1
Definition, process, key elements & principles of communication
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2. LESSON OBJECTIVES
• By the end of the lesson, the learner should be able to:
1. Define communication
2. State reasons why it is important to study communication
3. Identify key elements in the process of communication with the aid of
communication models
4. Explain the principles of communication
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3. Defining Communication
• Word Origin: Latin “communicare” – to share or to make common
• What is communication? Attempt a definition for yourself.
• Now present your definition in the form of an illustration.
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4. Defining Communication (Cont…)
• Different scholars have attempted to define communication over time. Is your definition
close to any of these?
“Communication may be defined as social interaction through messages.” (Gerbner, 1967)
It is “the transmission of information, ideas, attitudes or emotions from one person or group
to another (or others) primarily through symbols.” (Theodorson & Theodorson, 1969)
“Human communication is a conscious or unconscious, intentional or unintentional process
in which feelings and ideas are expressed in verbal and nonverbal messages. (Berko, et al.,
1989)
“Communication is a process of understanding and sharing meaning.” (Pearson & Nelson,
1997)
The deliberate or accidental transfer of information” (Gamble & Gamble, 2013)
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5. Key concepts in defining communication
• 1. Communication is a process
• 2. Communication involves meaning
• 3. Communication is a system of symbols, signs and behaviour e.g.
language, gestures, demeanour, facial expressions
• Is communication restricted to human beings?
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6. Objectives of communicating
• Why do we communicate?
To be received (heard or read)
To be understood
To be accepted
To get action (change of behaviour, attitude)
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7. Importance of Studying Communication
• Communication is not restricted to human beings; however, in this
course, we are interested in human communication.
• Communication is central to human life. It plays important roles in our
academic and social lives:
Helps in gaining insight about oneself and improve self-worth
Promotes understanding of human relationships
Teaches important life skills e.g. time management, problem
solving, public speaking, listen ting
Can promote academic and professional growth and achievement
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8. Elements of Communication
• People – participants in the communication process. They are sources
and receivers of messages. Who are the participants in this lesson?
• Message – content of the interaction e.g. verbal or non-verbal forms
of expressions. Could be intentional or unintentional. What kind of
message is this?
• Channel – means by which a message travels between or among
participants e.g. sound waves (aural-oral messages) or light waves
(visual or written messages). Also called medium of transmission.
Through which channel(s) are you receiving this message?
• Feedback – receiver’s response to the message. Can silence be a
response?
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9. Elements of Communication (Cont…)
• Code – systematic arrangement of symbols e.g. a particular language,
non verbal codes
• Encoding and decoding – putting ideas together (encoding) and
interpreting/making sense of them (decoding)
• Have you sharpened your understanding of communication?
• Take a look at the illustration you drew (slide 3)
• Is there anything you want to change? You can do so now.
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10. Models of Communication
• A model is a pictorial depiction of what communication looks if we
diagram it.
• https://open.lib.umn.edu/communication/chapter/1-2-the-
communication-process/
• Follow the link provided to read about and view the following models:
Linear or Transmission Model
Interaction Model
Transactional Model
Which model is closest to your illustration?
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11. Noise
• Noise is a common feature in models of communication. This is
because communication is subject to many forms of interference.
Noise can take various forms:
Physical noise e.g. distracting sounds or sights
Psychological noise e.g. mental and emotional distractions
Semantic noise e.g. language differences
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12. Principles of Communication
These are the properties or attributes of communication:
1. Communication is inescapable
2. Communication is irreversible
3. Communication is dynamic
4. Communication has a content (message) and a relationship
dimension
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13. Principles of Communication (Cont…
5. Communication is contextual . It involves
• Psychological context – needs, desires, personality , values of
participants
• Situational context – place and time of communication
• Environmental context – setting e.g. noise level, objects, cultural
context
6. Communication is complicated
• Involves choices about the message and channel e.g. verbal or
non verbal?
• Participants have different perceptions about issues they are
communicating about
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14. The 7cs of Effective Communication
• Clarity: being specific rather than vague.
• Completeness: including enough details
• Conciseness: avoiding unnecessary words
• Consistency: facts should be accurate; similar items should be treated
similarly e.g. using or not using people’s titles; arrangement of listings
should be sequential
• Correctness: accuracy of information in terms of content , spelling,
capitalization and punctuation
• Consideration: use of the “you-attitude” i.e. visualize the reader and
their possible reaction to your communication
• Courtesy: building goodwill by being tactful, thoughtful, appreciative
and respectful.
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15. RECAP
• Communication is the sending and receiving of messages through a common
system of signs, symbols or behaviour
• It is a process that involves, at least, a sender, message, channel and receiver.
• Different models of communication present it as a liner, interactional or
transactional process.
• Communication is of personal, academic, professional, interpersonal and
societal value.
• Communication principles: communication is inescapable, irreversible,
dynamic, it has a context and relationship dimension, it is contextual, it is
complicated.
• 7Cs of effective communication: clarity, completeness, conciseness,
consistency, correctness, consideration, courtesy.
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