Chapter 1

Question 0

Breakdown the definition of communication into 6 points.

Answer 0

1. It’s happening all the time. Always communicating verbally and non-verbally.
2. Can’t take it back - irreversible
3. Transactive - more than linear
4. Both the same planet but different worlds. We share a context but not everything about our lives is shared.
5. Simultaneously sending and receiving
6. Always distortion - noise

Question 1

What is the definition of communication?

Answer 1

Communication is continuous, irreversible, transactive process involving communicators who occupy different but overlapping environments and are simultaneously senders and receivers of messages, many of which are distorted by physical an psychological noise.

Question 2

What are some principles of communication to consider (5)?

Answer 2

1. Communication must involve human beings
2. Communication much involve symbolism, verbal or non-verbal
3. Communication can be intentional or unintentional
4. Communication must include a response, direct or indirect, to the symbolic behaviour of another
5. Communication must involve a sender and a receiver

Question 3

What is the transactional model of communication (3 things)?

Answer 3

1. Simultaneous sending and receiving
2. Communication is fluid not static
3. Communication is relational, not individual - it isn’t something we do TO others rather it is something we do WITH them.

Question 4

What are 5 types of communications?

Answer 4

1. Intrapersonal - self talk
2. Dyadic/interpersonal - most common form, between two people
3. Small group - family, team, office, here different dynamics emerge.
4. Public - imbalance of speech, planned and structured, classroom, formal
5. Mass - wide audiences

Question 5

What are 7 common denominators that characterize effective communicators?

Answer 5

1. A wide range of behaviours - picking the one that has the best chance of success
2. Ability to choose the most appropriate behaviour - think about the context, goal and the other person
3. Skill at performing behaviours - using the required skills effectively
4. Empathy/ perspective talking - understanding the other persons point of view and imagining how it may look to them
5. Cognitive complexity - the story we tell ourselves about a subject. Increasing our conversational sensitivity will increase the chances of positive results.
6. Self monitoring - the process of paying close attention to your behaviour and using these observations to shape the way you behave
7. Commitment to the relationship

Question 6

NFB film about the teacher

Answer 6

Happiness is loving your teacher (Smith, 1977)

Question 7

What are 3 things to consider when deciding how to communicate?

Answer 7

1. Context
2. Goal
3. Other person