8 Principles of Communication

3. Process of Adjustment

1. Package of Signals

2. Transactional

4. Involves Content & Relationship Dimensions

5. Sequences are Punctuated

6. Involves symmetrical & Complementary Transactions

8. Multi-Purposeful

7. Inevitable, Irreversible & Unrepeatable

COMMUNICATIONIS:

1.   Communication is a Package of Signals

(Komunikasi adalah satu pakej isyarat)

Communication involves verbal and non- verbal signals which reinforce or support each other.

Your entire body works together – verbally & nonverbally – to express your thoughts and feelings.

eg. When we are sad, we cry; when we are happy, we laugh / smile

Contradictory messages are particularly damaging when children are involved.

2.  Communication is Transactional (Komunikasi adalah transaksional)

Communication is a two-way process. Each person is seen as both speaker and

listener at the same time. Elements in communication changes all the

time – everchanging process and ongoing activity.

All elements are interdependent. Although the words and symbols are the

same, each person interprets them differently.

3. Communication is a Process of Adjustment (Komunikasi adalah proses penyesuaian)

Communication may only take place if the communicators use the same system of signals.

However, no two persons use identical signal systems.

Communication involves identifying the other person’s signals, learning how they are used and understanding what they mean.

Communication adjustment is especially important in intercultural communication.

Communication Accommodation Theory – speakers will adjust to or accommodate to the speaking style of their listeners to gain social approval and greater communication efficiency.

4. Communication Involves Content and Relationship Dimensions (Komunikasi melibatkan dimensi makna dan hubungan)

Content dimension : the actual meaning of the message.

Relationship dimension : the relational aspect underlying the messageEg. “See me after the meeting”

Paying attention to both the content and relationship aspects could help us in communicating effectively.

5. Communication Sequences are Punctuated

Communication events are continuous transactions. Communication participants divide up this process into

causes and effects, and stimuli and responses. People punctuate communication in ways that allow

them to look good and consistent with their own self-image.

Your punctuation does not reflect what exists in reality. To communicate effectively, you have to understand

what other people mean from their point of views, i.e recognizing how they punctuate their communication).

6. Communication Involves Symmetrical and Complementary Transactions(Komunikasi melibatkan transaksi simetrikal dan komplementari)

Symmetrical relationship The behavior of one person is reflected in the

behavior of the other.The relationship is one of equality, with the

emphasis on minimizing the differences between the two individuals.

Complementary relationship Two individuals engage in different behaviors.The behavior of one serves as the stimulus for the

complementary behavior of the other.Differences between parties are maximized.

7. Communication is Inevitable, Irreversible, and Unrepeatable(Komunikasi tidak boleh dihentikan, tidak boleh ditarik balik dan tidak boleh diulang)  

InevitabilityCommunication takes place even though one of the

individuals does not think he / she is communicating or does not want to communicate.

In an interactional situation, you can’t avoid communicating and can’t avoid responding to the message.

IrreversibilityOnce you say something you can’t uncommunicate itBe careful not to say things you may be sorry later 

Contd.

UnrepeatabilityCommunication is unrepeatable because

everyone and everything is constantly changingYou can never recapture the exact same situation,

frame of mind, or relationship dynamics that defined a previous communication.

Eg. Making a first impression in an interview.

8. Communication is Multi-Purposeful(Komunikasi mempunyai pelbagai tujuan)

Purposes may be conscious or unconscious, recognizable or unrecognizable

5 general purposes of communication:i. To Discover – for personal discovery ii. To Relate – establish / maintain close relationship with othersiii. To Helpiv. To Persuade – to change people’s attitudes and behaviorsv.  To Play – pleasure, escape and relaxation from pressures and

responsibilities