COMMUNICATION:

THE BASICS
Dr. Jeson A. Bustamante
Department of Languages and Literature
College of Arts and Sciences
 COMMUNICATION

• Write as many words or phrases as you can in the semantic web.

Afterwards, construct your OWN one-sentence definition of
communication
Communication is
_________________________________________
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DEFINITION
Communication is the process
of using messages to generate
meaning. (Pearson, et al.,
2011)
Communication is a
systematic process in which
Communication is the
people interact with and
process of sending
through symbols to create
information to oneself or
and interpret meanings.
another entity, usually
(Wood,2012)
via a language. (Palta,
2007)

Communication is the process of

using verbal and nonverbal
messages to generate meaning
within and across varied contexts,
cultures, and channels” (Engelberg
& Wynn, 2008).
Communication is the process of transferring
information and meaning between senders and
receivers, using one or more written, oral, visual,
or electronic media. (Bovee & Thill, 2014).
Communication is the process of
sending and receiving messages
sometimes through spoken or written
words, and sometimes non-verbally
through facial expressions, gestures
and voice qualities. (Ober &
Newman, 2013)
NATURE
• There are four key terms that should be defined to fully understand
communication: process, systems, symbols, and meanings.
(Woods,2012)

• PROCESS – process implies continuity. One

never stops from communicating as it is an
ongoing activity. It is dynamic as it continually
changes. Communication is never static.
• SYSTEM - “oneself to another entity”, “sender to
receiver” and “people interact” suggest that
communication operates within a system. Wood
(2012) defined system as interrelated parts that
affect one another. It is a collection of not random
parts but organized whole.
NATURE
• SYMBOLS – represented by language indicated
by spoken or written words and facial expressions,
gestures and voice qualities.

• MEANINGS –the heart of communication. It can

be viewed as an “end” in itself. When people
communicate, they attach meaning to the symbols
they use (verbal or non-verbal) with the intent that
the person they are communicating with share the
same meaning as intended. The goal is to
generate common meanings through the message
provided and received.
 ELEMENTS

• People
• Message
• Channel
• Feedback
• Code
• Encoding and Decoding
• Context
• Barrier
FUNCTION

• Control
• Social Interaction
• Motivation
• Emotional Expression
• Information Dissemination
BARRIERS

• Emotional Barriers
• Use of Jargon
• Lack of Confidence
• Noisy Environment
MODELS

• Aristotle’s Model of Communication

• Shannon-Weaver Model
• Schramm Model
• Transaction Model
• White’s Model of Communication
• Helical Model of Communication
ARISTOTLE’S MODEL OF COMMUNICATION
(LINEAR MODEL)
• A Greek philosopher who studied physics, logic, mathematics, etc.
He was the teacher of Alexander the Great.
• Linear Structure
• The first model of communication proposed before 300 B.C.
• This model mainly focused on speaker and speech. The speaker’s
role is to deliver the message and the role of the audience is to
remain passive. There is no concept of feedback.
• Critical Elements of a Good Communicator
Ethos – characteristics which makes the speaker credible in
front of the audience such as expertise and credibility.
Pathos – the connection established by the speaker. Emotional
bonds make the audience captivated.
Logos – the ability of the speaker to be understood by the
audience and to make the audience believe in what you say.
SHANNON-WEAVER MODEL
• Shannon Weaver model of communication was created in 1948 when Claude Elwood
Shannon wrote an article “A Mathematical Theory of Communication” in Bell System
Technical Journal with Warren Weaver.
• Shannon was an American mathematician whereas Weaver was a scientist. The
Mathematical theory later came to be known as Shannon Weaver model of
communication or “mother of all models.”

Sender (Information source) – Sender is the person who makes the message, chooses
the channel and sends the message.
Encoder (Transmitter) –Encoder is the sender who uses machine, which converts
message into signals or binary data. It might also directly refer to the machine.
Channel –Channel is the medium used to send message.Decoder (Receiver) – Decoder
is the machine used to convert signals or binary data into message or the
receiver who translates the message from signals.
Receiver (Destination) –Receiver is the person who gets the message or the place
where the message must reach. The receiver provides feedback according to the
message.
Noise –Noise is the physical disturbances like environment, people, etc. which does not
let the message get to the receiver as what is sent.
SCHRAMM MODEL
• It is the most commonly taught and widely used theory of
communication proposed by
Wilbur Schramm in the late 1940s.
• Views communication as a process that takes place between a
sender (transmitter) and a receiver.
Sender – this is the person who encodes (converts) and sends the
message.
Message – this is the content being share between parties.
Receiver – this is the person who decodes (interprets) the
message.
Semantic barriers – The background, beliefs, experiences, and
values that influence how the sender conveys a message, and how
the receiver interprets it.
TRANSACTION MODEL
• is the exchange of messages between sender and receiver
where each take turns to send or receive messages.
• Both sender and receiver are known as communicators and
their role reverses each time in the communication process
as both processes of sending and receiving occurs at the
same time.
• The model is mostly used for interpersonal communication
and is also called circular model of communication.
WHITE’S MODEL OF COMMUNICATION
Eugene White gave his communication students a sequence of events that takes place in
communication. These eight stages of oral communication are the following:
• Thinking – a desire, feeling, or an emotion provides a speaker a stimulus to communicate a need
• Symbolizing – before he can utter sounds, a speaker has to know the code of oral language with
which to represent his ideas and in order to make his selection
• Expressing – the speaker then uses his vocal mechanism to produce the sounds of language
accompanied by facial expressions, gestures, and body stance
• Transmitting – waves of sound spreading at 1,000 feet per second and waves of light travelling at
a speed of 186,000 miles per second carry the speaker’s message to the listeners
• Receiving – sound waves impinge upon the listener’s ears after which the resulting nerve
impulses reach the brain via the auditory nerve; light wave strikes the listener’s eyes after
which the resulting nerve impulses reach the brain via the optic nerve
• Decoding – the listener interprets the language symbols he receives and thinks further
• Feedbacking – the listener may manifest overt behavior like a nod, smile, or yawn or he may not
show any behavior at all (covert behavior like fast heartbeat, a poker face, etc.)
• Monitoring – while the speaker watches for signs of reception or understanding of his message
among his listeners, he is also attuned to what’s going on inside him; the speaker is
receiving, and decoding messages about himself from his audience in order to adjust to the
particular situation
HELICAL MODEL
• The helical model has basic elements that are similar to the other communication
models. However, unlike those models, it promotes an upward and forward
movement. It shows that knowledge increases as the interaction goes on.
• When a child learns a new word, he or she learns how to pronounce it and what it
means. Later on, he or she may use it in conversations. As he or she grows up, he
or she learns that the word has several meanings and that it can be used in different
contexts. His or her experience shows that communication not only evolves but also
is dependent on the past.
• Helix is compared with evolution of communication of a human since birth to
existence or existing moment. Helical model of communication introduces the
concept of time where continuousness of the communication process and relational
interactions are very important. Communication is taken as a dynamic process in
helical model of communication and it progresses with age as our experience and
vocabulary increases.
• At first, helical spring is small at the bottom and grows bigger as the communication
progresses. The same effect can be seen with communication of humans, where you
know nothing about a person at first and the knowledge grows steadily as you know
the person better. It considers all the activities of the person, from the past and
present.
ACTIVITY 1 (INDIVIDUAL)

In a short bond paper, do the following:

• Make your own model of communication you
can illustrate how communication takes
place.
• Do not write any explanation in the paper.
• Do not forget to write your name, subject,
name of professor and most importantly your
class schedule.
• Submit next meeting.
PRINCIPLES

• Communication is transactional.
• Communication is inevitable
• Communication is goal-oriented.
• Communication has various levels.
• Communication is complex.
• Communication can be learned.
• Communication is relational.
• Communication is guided by culture.
GUIDELINES FOR BECOMING AN ETHICAL
COMMUNICATOR
• Honest
-being truthful in communicating your thoughts, ideas and
feelings
-good communicators never lie or deceive other people
-to fully realize the end purpose of communication, thoughts,
ideas and feelings should be expressed with best intentions.

• Well aware of the consequences of their thoughts and

actions
-think before you communicate whether it is in the spoken or
written form
-the way you communicate can build or ruin your reputation
-accountability of what you do and say
-cautious with your choice of words and be responsible for your
thoughts and actions
• Value diversity and respect other’s opinions
-respect means showing consideration for others
-People differ in backgrounds, interests, beliefs, and
value system
-demonstrating respect amidst differences

• Just and Fair

-to be just and fair is to be impartial and objective
-don’t hastily make decisions or judgments based on
hearsays, gossips, prejudices, and personal biases
-exerts effort to gather relevant facts or pertinent
information