Nature of Communication
Communication
Without communication, people may trouble comprehending one another,
hence, it is an important human activity
Relationships among humans may not be realized in the absence of
communication (Aquino, de Guzman, Quioya, 2018)
A process which involves the trade and exchange of thoughts, ideas,
information, feelings, and/or emotions with the use of vocal faculties, non-
verbal gestures, behavior, and written symbols (Villacorte et al, 2018)
From the Latin expression “communicare” meaning “to share” or “to make
common”
A systematic process which generates meaning by using messages
A process as it is an activity performed, an exchange of ideas, or a set of
behavior
Components in the Communication Process
Communication Context
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1. Intrapersonal Communication
occurs within one’s own mind
also includes activities such as one’s solving own problem or conflict,
planning, evaluation oneself and one’s relationship with others
2. Interpersonal Communication
process of using messages to generate meaning between two or more
person in a situation
Dyadic Communication - communication between two persons
Small-group Communication - process of generating meaning using
messages within a small group communicators
3. Public Communication
process where a single source utilizes messages that then transmits these
messages to a number of receivers at once
recognized by its formality, structure, and planning
4. Mass Communication
process of communicating messages in order to generate meaning through
a mediated system. From the source of the message, it goes to its several
unseen receivers
this type of communication is called “mass” because the messages go to
newspaper and magazine readers, tv viewers, radio listeners, and netizens
Elements of Communication
1. Verbal Communication (Lexical Component)
uses meaningful words or language
one should try choosing words carefully in advance to be able to make the
right impression
use of right words is significant in enhancing the message or even making
oneself understood
Words - unique meaningful component of speech. Words may be used
alone or with others to form a sentence
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Parts of Words - denote a single letter, prefix, or a suffix added to words
ex: -s in educators, dis- in discomfort, -ly in perfectly
Collocations - pair or group of words that are habitually used together
that they sound correct together
ex: to feel free — Please feel free to take a seat and enjoy the show
Idioms - combination of words whose collective meaning is not
predictable from those of the individual words. Meaning created are
usually understood by native speakers of the language
ex: think outside the box (imagine with intense creativity)
Phrasal Verbs - verbs followed by preposition or an adverb
ex: break up (end a relationship)
Sentence Frames - group of words that provide a structure or a skeleton
for complete sentence
ex: I move to nominate ________ for the office of _________
2. Non-verbal Communication (Non-lexical Component)
understanding the proper use of non-lexical codes is an advantage for you
as a communicator
refers to the sending of information or massages aside from the use of
language
Nonverbal Codes - basically codes of symbols which carries a meaning
on its own and is not in the form of spoken or written words
Kinesics - pertains to the message transmitted by your bodily
movements which includes facial expressions, postures, and
gestures. It comes from the Greek word “kinesis” which means “to
move”
Emblems - nonverbal actions or movements that is used as a
replacement for words or phrases
Illustrators - pertains to the bodily movements done
accompanying a spoken message in order to reinforce it
Physical Attraction - significant nonverbal attribute, sometimes the
media alters realistic views of physically attractive person. Physical
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attraction influences the credibility and ability of a person to
persuade its audience
Proxemics - refers to the study of distance and space as proposed
by Edward T. Hall (1966). This is a nonverbal means of
communication using the distance from the personal bubble to the
person you are speaking with
Intimate Distance - used by people who are close to you, this
distance extends from you to eighteen inches outward
Personal Distance - ranges from 18 inches to 4 feet, it is used
for conversation and other non-intimate exchanges
Social Distance - used in less personal or formal business
situation. Ranges from 4 to 12 feet
Public Distance - commonly done is public speaking setting
such as at churches or lecture halls, etc. It exceeds 12 feet
distance
Chronemics - refers to the manner of organizing and using time and
the messages that are constructed due to the organization and use
of it, this is also called as temporal communication
Monochronic - individuals complete a task one at a time as they
view time seriously
Polychronic - individuals refers to those who work many tasks at
one time
Tactile Communication (Haptics) - use of touch in communication.
Touch holds a significant power in communication (Aguinis,
Simonsen, and Pierce, 1998). It is sometimes associated with
pleasure, positivity, and reinforcement
Vocal Cues (Paralinguistics) - does not refer to actual words but to
sounds which has a significant meaning on it
- composed of volume, voice quality, rate, pitch, inflection, nonword
sounds, articulation, enunciation, pronunciation, and silence. These
vocal cues are linked in our minds as we communicate with the
speaker, therefore, adding to the speaker’s personality, gender
characteristics, physically characteristics, and even credibility
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Objectics - study of how humans use their clothing and other
significant artifacts to communication nonverbal codes
- also called object language. Clothing communicates authority and
an individual’s role in the society
- artifacts can be the adornments or ornaments that we use and
display for communicative potentials such as phones, watches,
shoes, hairstyles, jewelry, automobiles, cosmetics, canes, etc
Nature of Communication 5