INTRODUCTION TO

HUMAN COMMUNICATION

Chapter OneDr.Inas A.HamidFaculty of mass communication

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What is communication?• The transfer of meaning from one person to another by

speech, symbols, writing, or signs to establish a common understanding.

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• So at least three elements are involved in the communication process: • The person who sends the message(sender or source)• The message• The person who receives the message (receivers)So the communication process consists of several “communication acts”.

• Wilbur Schramm diagrammed the communication act in 1961 as follows:

But it was easy to criticize this diagram. Why???

Sender Message Receiver

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The complete communication process may be diagramed as follows:

• Each person is alternatively a sender and then a receiver.• Understanding between the two communicators is not complete

until the receiver of the initial communication responded to the message.

• If the receiver doesn't understand the message , he will send a message of query to the sender.

Sender Message Receiver

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In mass communication

sender

sender

sender

Message

Receiver( may send message)

Receiver(may change

behavior)

Response

Receiver (may smile)

• The communication process is quite complex because there are many receivers who may communicate with each other before responding to the message.

The message may have different effect upon the receivers (response).

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Communication Elements

SenderEncodingDecoding

Message

The Channel

ReceiverDecoding Encoding

Feed Back

Noise

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Communication Elements• The Sender (encoder): Someone should put the message

into a “code” that thought to be understandable to the intended receiver. This means the thought of the receiver (intrapersonal) is very important.

• The Receiver (decoder): when the receiver is exposed to the message , he starts to decode the message and this act also requires intrapersonal communication.

• The Message: which the sender wishes the receiver to understand. The message can be easy or difficult to understand, it can be analytical or opinionated and so on….

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• The channel: The mechanism by which the message is transmitted.

• Feedback: A return message from the receiver to the sender. It is a response that tells the sender that the message has been understood or misunderstood. Feedback may be immediate or delayed. Feedback can be verbal or nonverbal.

• Noise: that tends to disrupt the communication, put barriers to understanding, distract attention and in general frustrate the communication process. Two main noises cause the trouble:• Mechanical noise.• Semantic noise.

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• Mechanical noise: is physical ( static on the radio, missing lines from a newspaper story,….

• Semantic noise: it is the degree of potential misunderstanding between sender and receiver. Semantic noise is largely unavoidable.

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Why do people communicate?To persuade: Communication can be used to persuade the others to share our views or to arrive at some compromise. Leaders and administrators need communication to introduce new ideas, new procedures, or to stop old ways of doing things.

To entertain: This is the most common use of communication.• People often communicate with each other for the

pleasure.

To inform: we need information in our work, economic activities, social life,…..

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To express emotions: Each human being has an emotional as well as rational life.• When we communicate we express our emotions (anger,

fear, depression,……).• Some messages are a mixture of information and emotion

while others are all emotions.

To show approval: All of us need to receive compliments and be away from disapproval. Communication can be used in speaking well or ill about others to punish or reward

To educate or train: communication can help in providing people with habits, values and morals that consistent with the culture of their social group.

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Types of communication:

Communication can be

briefly

classifie

d as:

Interpersonal (Between persons) & intrapersonal communication (Self communication)

Informational( to provide or receive information) & Opinionated (to express opinions and defend them)

Verbal ( use Words in communication)& Non-verbal(Using in symbols)

Small group & mass communicationFace to face - technology

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Assignments• Do you think there is a relationship between intrapersonal

communication and interpersonal communication?• In intrapersonal communication involves encoding a

message. Explain. • What are the circumstances that lead to effective

communication in small groups.• What is “ Mass Communication "and how does it differ

from other types of communication?• In small groups, which type of communication is the

best??