A helpful model for understanding communication

Mark AllenbySenior Lecturer in Social WorkUniversity of NorthamptonPrepared for Social Work Skills – Level 1 – SWK1007 January 2010

Overview of the ModelCommunication is purposefulOur purposes are coded verbally

and non-verballyWhat we intend and what others

receive are differentNoticing the responses to our

communications helps us communicate better

A BIntention

Coding

Production

Reception

Decoding

Intention

CodingProduction

Reception

Decoding

The Communication Cycle

Intentions in social work practice

What messages do you generally try and communicate? – general intentions

What messages do you convey in your work? – work intentions

What are you trying to achieve in this interaction as a whole? – situational intentions

What are you trying to achieve right now? – immediate intentions

General IntentionsWhat messages do you give

generally?About yourself?About your values and beliefs?About you place in society?

Work IntentionsWhat are you trying to achieve in

your work?◦Empowerment◦Social Justice◦Liberation◦Well-being

How do you communicate these?

Situational IntentionsConsider your intentions when

interviewing◦A child who says that they have been abused◦A teenager with an eating disorder◦An adult with a disability about to move into

supported accommodation◦A woman with post-natal depression◦An older adult to complete a Community

Care AssessmentAre you trying to achieve different

things?Yes and No

Immediate IntentionsMoment-by-MomentProcess v ContentProcess

◦I’m listening◦I understanding◦I respect you◦We can make a difference◦It’s your turn

Immediate IntentionsContentSpecific Questions or messages

◦Questions What is the problem?

What, where, when, who, how and why? What are your strengths How do you see things?

◦Messages I believe you You can do this I don’t understand

IntentionsCommunication is purposefulKnow your purposeAim to communicate it clearly

Coding and ProductionCoding – what you meant to sayProduction – what you actually

said“It sounded so good in my head!”

Coding and ProductionWordsTone of voiceBody language, gestures and

actionsTiming, spaces and silenceClothesThe venue

Production and ReceptionWhat was said and what was

heardCan you be heard?Can you be seen?External noiseFailing to receiveAttunement and synchronicity

DecodingReverse engineeringWhy did they say that?What you meant, what they think

you meantExpect to be misunderstood

Decoding and internal noiseHow do we know what others

mean?Perceptual filtersInternal working modelsMutual model buildingReflecting, paraphrasing and

summarising

Intentions, coding and production

The Liverbirds 1970’s situation comedy

Opening credits

Him - Yeh dancing? (Are you dancing?)

Her - Yeh asking? (Are you asking me?)

Him – I’m askingHer – I’m dancing

Intentions, coding and production

Him Her

Intention – I fancy her and want to get to know her.

Coding and production – Yeh dancing?

Him – reception – She asked if I was asking.

Decoding – She must think I’m alright, time to risk a bit more.

Coding and production – I’m asking

Reception – He asked if I was dancing?

Decoding – He possibly likes me

Intention – I need to check if he was serious.

Coding and production – Yeh asking?