Communication Skills 1

Question 1

What is communication

What does symbolic mean

What is effective communication

Is communication constant or dynamic

Answer 1

The process of creating and exchanging meaning through symbolic interaction

Symbolic means that we rely on words and nonverbal behaviors to communicate meaning and feelings

Communication is a process of sharing our ideas, thoughts and feelings with others and having those ideas, thoughts and feelings understood

Effective communication is to share meaning and understanding between the sender and the receiver element is “understanding”

As a process communication constantly moves and changes

It is dynamic

Question 2

The communication process

Describe the terms context , physical environment and climate

Answer 2

Context provides the people, the occasion and task

Physical environment is the actual place or space where communication occurs

Climate influences the emotional atmosphere

Question 3

Explain the two types of barriers to communication

Answer 3

External : noise, distraction , email not working, jargon, time of day , environment

Internal :fatigue, poor listening skills , attitude towards the sender, fear, mistrust , past experiences

Question 4

List the types of communication

Answer 4

Self action or one way

Interaction / two way communication

Transaction

Question 5

What is self action or one way communication

Answer 5

Is focused on getting the message to the receiver

Self action treats communication as manipulation of others

There is no way to know if the meaning is shared

Question 6

What is interaction communication

Answer 6

Recognizes the role of the receiver as a communicator through feedback

Message centered

Very simplified view of communication process

Feedback allows senders to see if their message got across

Question 7

What is transaction communication

Answer 7

Focuses on meaning and sharing by accounting for all other factors in the communication process

Concerned with barriers that might affect communication

Can be best described as effective communication

Sender and receiver continue back and forth to endure message was sent and received as intended

Question 8

What are the 5 communication principles

Answer 8

Transitional
Complex
Unavoidable 
Can be learned
Continuous

Question 9

Explain transactional principle of commutation

Answer 9

Communication is transactional because it involves an exchange.
•If I go to the store to get a drink, I exchange money to the cashier for the drink. I give something and get something in return. Communication is the same… you have to give and receive for communication to happen.

Question 10

Explain complex principal of communication

Answer 10

Communication is complex for several reasons.
•It is interactive because many processes are involved.
•It is symbolic because symbols are open to interpretation.
•It is personal & cultural because a person’s culture can add a new or different meaning to a phrase or gesture.
•It is irreversible because once a message is sent, it cannot be taken back.
•It is circular because it involves both original messages and feedback which is necessary to confirm communication.
•It is purposeful because there is always a reason behind a message and it helps meet our needs.
•It is impossible to duplicate because each interaction is unique.

Question 11

Explain the principal of communication “unavoidable”

Answer 11

Communication is unavoidable because it is impossible to not communicate.
•You are communicating constantly even when you do not intend to communicate. You communicate by the way you sit or move, by the way you speak, by what you wear, by your actions…. Even when you sleep in class, you’re communicating that you are bored or that you don’t care.