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Exploring Communication

-Part 1.5-

A Definition of Communication

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Our Approach:

Communication as a set of

interrelated concepts that

vary somewhat depending onthe particular phenomena ,

but which share certain

unifying dimensions

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Definition Goals

Our definition must:

Identify the central dimension of

comm but remain versatile enough to

apply to the diversity of comm

Such As:Face to face

Verbal interaction

Non verbal behavior

Symbolic interaction

Traditional media ie radio, tv

Group exchanges

Technology

Emerging venues for interaction

Electronic systems and infrastructure

With animals

Within specific contexts

Organizational

Health

Political

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How do we meet this goal?

Isolate the common elements

Use flexible but meaningfulterms to construct our definition

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Elements of Communication

Think back to our Comm Jeopardy examples. Eachinvolved:

A combination of various factors

Something bring communicated

Some means by which comm was occurring

Someone or something doing the communication

Various events surrounding and influencing that comm

which combined to :

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Elements of Communication:

A combinationofelements ...

One way to represent this quality is to use

the term process

Process comm is multifaceted ,

dynamic , & involves change over time.

Comm is not a single element, instance, or

act.

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Elements of Communication:

Something beingcommunicatedCan be spoken or written words, non-

verbal cues, symbols, electricalimpulses, etc.

Information - what is being exchanged.

Also described as a message or as thatwhich reduces uncertainty

When humans are involved, meaning isattached to information

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Elements of Communication:

A meansby which comm occurs

I.e. a way forinformation to be sent &received; a method ofexchange

Exchange a multidirectional flowbetween parties involved

In some situations comm is comm isconstrained primarily to transfer (oneway)

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Elements of Communication:

Somethingdoing the Communicating

Various entities ranging from individuals to

computers to animals to larger collections

like groups and organizations

System set ofinterdependant components

Underscores that these entities are complex

phenomena

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Elements of Communication:

WhatSurrounds Communication

Environment - the context within

which the systems interact

Comm is always influenced byits

environment

Can be tangible (eg. physicalsurroundings) orintangible (eg.

mood culture) in form.

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Our General Definition of

Communication:

Communication is a process by which

information is exchanged among two or

more systems within a largersupra-system(the environment )

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Moving Forward:

As we move among various domains ofcomm (e.g. mass, interpersonal) well

formulate more specific and

meaningful definitions, but theyllalways connect back to this general

definition

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Issues to Consider in Formulating

Specific Definitions

Breadth what is or is not included

Origination the source

Directionality nature offlow

Channel means ofinformation

exchange

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Issues to Consider in Formulating

Specific Definitions

Contexts/Environment specific

influences ofsurroundings

Intentionality is intent necessary?