Elements and Skills of Interpersonal Communication

Question 1

Sender

Answer 1

• The encoder or source of the message.
• The sender is the person who decides to communicate and the intent of the message.
• The source may decide to send messages to entertain, persuade, inform, include, or escape. Often, the sources will create a message based on their feelings, thoughts, perceptions, and past experiences.

Question 2

Receiver

Answer 2

• We are both the sender and receiver simultaneously.
• The receiver(s) is the individual who decodes the message and tries to understand the source of the message.
• Receivers have to filter messages based on their attitudes, beliefs, opinions, values, history, and prejudices. People will encode messages through their five senses.

Question 3

Message

Answer 3

• Include any type of textual, verbal, and nonverbal aspects of communication, in which individuals give meaning.
• People send messages intentionally (texting a friend to meet for coffee) or unintentionally (accidentally falling asleep during lectures).
• Messages can be verbal (saying hello to your parents/guardians), nonverbal (hugging your parents/guardians), or text (words on a computer screen).
• Essentially, communication is how messages create meaning.

Question 4

Channel

Answer 4

• The medium in which we communicate our message
• Example: Cell phones, Facebook, Twitter, Email, Instagram, Snapchat, Reddit, and Vox
• Can impact the message

Question 5

Feedback

Answer 5

• The response to the message.
• If there is no feedback, communication would not be effective.
• Feedback is important because the sender needs to know if the receiver got the message.

Question 5

Environment

Answer 5

• Context or situation where communication occurs and affects the experience is referred to as the environment.
• The environment will affect how you communicate.

Question 6

Noise

Answer 6

• Anything that interferes with the message is called noise.
• Noise keeps the message from being completely understood by the receiver.
• If noise is absent, then the message would be accurate. However, usually, noise impacts the message in some way.
• Noise might be physical (e.g., television, cell phone, fan), or it might be psychological (e.g., thinking about your parents/guardians or missing someone you love).
• Noise is anything that hinders or distorts the message.

Question 7

4 Communication Styles

Answer 7

• Analyzers
• Drivers
• Relaters
• Expressers

Question 8

Analyzers

Answer 8

• Communicate with facts
• Ask questions and seek detailed information in order to make systematic
  decisions.
• Dislike making errors or being rushed into action unprepared or unorganized, and they rarely consider any problem too big to overcome.

Question 9

Drivers

Answer 9

• Use controlling and direct language. They like to take charge to get the job done in their own way with decisive, strong opinions.
• They are result oriented and want to be measured on the results they achieve.
• They like to be competitive, and they take risky situations.

Question 10

Relaters

Answer 10

• Incline to listen first and then connect with others.
• They are good listeners who seek harmony in the group, and value stability and acceptance.
• They highly value their relationships with associates as part of their overall measurement
  of success.

Question 11

Expressers

Answer 11

• Lean to sharing emotions.
• They easily express emotions and place high value on enjoying what they do and
  help others do the same.
• They are talkative, enjoy brainstorming, and often ask input from others.
• They dislike dealing
  with detailed, boring facts with too much information, and routine.
• They like new challenges and trying new ideas.