Ch. 10 - Communication Flashcards
Communication
The process by which information and meaning is transferred from a sender to a receiver
Communication Process
- Sender has information they wish to share
- Sender encodes their idea (translating an idea into a verbal, written, or nonverbal message)
- Message is transmitted to receiver
- Receiver decodes the message
- Receiver has an understanding of the sender’s message
Face-to-face communication
The exchange of information and meaning when one or more individual are physically present. Communication occurs without the aid of technology
Verbal Communication
Messages sent and received using written and spoken language. Primary way employees communicate with others within the organization and outside of the organization
Nonverbal Communication
Any form of information exchange that does not involve spoken or written words (eg. body language)
True or False: Face-to-face communication involves both verbal and nonverbal communication.
True
Face-to-face communication involves verbal communication (spoken & written communication) and nonverbal communication (voice inflections, hand gestures, facial expressions)
True or False: Most of a message’s meaning is conveyed through spoken or written words.
False
70-90% of a message’s meaning is conveyed by body language.
Computer-Mediated Communication
The exchange of information and meaning using an electronic, digital medium
What are the specific functions of nonverbal cues?
Inform others about our personality, values, intentions, and attitudes
Communicate dominance and establish hierarchy within a social group
Facilitate working together
Foster high-quality relationships
Display emotional states
Forms of computer-mediated communication
Electronic Mail (E-Mail)
Videoconferencing (eg. Zoom)
Wikis (eg. Wikipedia)
Social Networking Applications (eg. LinkedIn)
What are some strategies to overcome “Zoom Fatigue”
Avoid Multitasking
Build in Breaks
Reduce Information (hide your video, virtual backgrounds)
Socialize (informal conversations)
Use alternative methods (eg. phone, email)
Wiki
A highly flexible web application that allows people to quickly exchange verbal information and collaboratively solve problems, learn, manage projects, and create knowledge
Communicator Competence
A communicator’s ability to encode and interpret messages. Some people are better than others at using and processing verbal and nonverbal messages
True or False: Emotions are only relevant to face-to-face interactions.
False
Emotions can also interfere with computer-mediated communications
Noise
Disturbing or distracting stimuli (sounds, environmental events, technical issues) that block or interfere with the transmission of a message
Which form of communication is most sensitive to noise
Face-to-face communication
Information Richness
The amount and depth of the information transmitted in a message
True or False: Higher levels of information richness is always preferable to low information richness
False
Information richness may overcomplicate the communication process when the task at hand is simple and straightforward
Gender differences in communication
The different ways men and women tend to process and interpret information and communicate with others.
Male Communication Style
Men tend to use a style of communication that helps them achieve and maintain status, power, and independence
Female Communication Style
Women tend to use a style that builds and strengthens their relationships
Privacy
A state in which individuals can express themselves freely without being observed, recorded, or disturbed by other unauthorized individuals/groups
What are the potential issues that can hinder communication?
Communicator competence
Noise
Information richness
Gender differences
Privacy
Vertical Channels (Communication)
Information flowing along the lines of authority and reporting relationships (eg. communication between an employee and their supervisor)
Horizontal Channels (Communication)
Information flowing between people who work at the same level within the organization (eg. employees communicating with other employees in different functional areas)
Downward Communication
Communication that flows from the top to the bottom of the vertical channel. Reinforces the hierarchical nature of an organization
Upward Communication
Communication that flows from the bottom to the top of the vertical channel
Horizontal Communication
Communication that flows among members of work groups, teams, or functional units who reside at the same level of the organization
Centralization
The degree to which the communication flows through some members but not others. The more communication flowing through fewer members of the team, the higher the degree of centralization
List the types of communication network structures
All-Channel
Circle
Chain
Y
Wheel
Rank the communication network structures in terms of effectiveness in simple tasks
Wheel (highest)
Y
Chain
Circle
All-Channel (lowest)
Rank the communication network structures in terms of effectiveness in complex tasks
All-Channel (highest)
Circle
Chain
Y
Wheel (lowest)
Rank the communication network structures in terms of member satisfaction
All-Channel (highest)
Circle
Chain
Y
Wheel (lowest)
All-Channel Network Structure
A communication network in which any member can send and receive messages from any other member
Circle Network Structure
A communication network structure in which members send and receive messages from individuals who are immediately adjacent to them
Chain Network Structure
A communication network structure in which information is passed from one end of the chain to the other. Typical in hierarchical structures and it emphasizes downward communication
Y Network Structure
A communication network structure in which one member controls the flow of information between one set of members to another
Wheel Network Structure
A communication network structure in which all communication between members is controlled by a single member
Informal Communication Networks
Spontaneous and emergent patterns of communication that result from the choices individuals make on their own. Examples include the grapevine, rumours, and gossip
Grapevine
The primary informal communication network within an organization, used by people to circulate information about their work or other people. Effective way to circulate unfiltered “sensitive” messages.
Rumours
Messages that travel along the grapevine that lack evidence as to their truth and validity
Gossip
Rumours about other people
Supervisor Feedback
A form of downward communication in which the supervisor provides information to a subordinate about their job performance
