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Major Issues for the Definition of Communication

Major Issues for the Definition of Communication. There are many definitions of communication in the communication literature. Those definitions often vary on one or more of the following issues. 1.– Is Communication Learned?. To what degree is your communication biologically determined?

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Major Issues for the Definition of Communication

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  1. Major Issues for the Definition of Communication There are many definitions of communication in the communication literature. Those definitions often vary on one or more of the following issues.

  2. 1.– Is Communication Learned? • To what degree is your communication biologically determined? • Did God make you to be a stronger communicator than the Physics major down the hall? • To what degree do we “train” and learn about communication? • Most people would say that communication is both innate and learned but then act as if it is more one than the other. • How does the assumption of ‘learned’ vs ‘innate’ communication influence how we study and teach about communication?

  3. 2. Is Communication Intentional? • – Can you unintentionally communicate a message? Would you think so if some person came up to you and told you that you were clearly sending him or her ‘courting’ messages? • Is communication limited to shared understandings of intentions?

  4. Source intended to send a message No Yes Ascribed Communication Yes Communication Behaviors with message value Receiver perceived a message Behavior Communication attempt No

  5. Not all behavior is communication Behavior Communication

  6. Not all behavior is communication

  7. 3. Is Communication “Transactional” ? • More than an monologue or a dialogue (interaction) • Communication is ‘accomplished’ by two or more people • Communicate involves engaging in some form of exchange (i.e., I give you information; you give me status).

  8. 4. Is communication limited to the use of symbols? • The use of symbols (language) facilitates communication NOTE: Verbal = the use of words. Do not confuse ‘verbal’ with ‘oral’ • We rarely communicate by signs or signals alone (nonverbal displays)

  9. 5. Is Communication a dynamic process? • Many people think about communication as a static (often written) event. Note: Adding an ‘s’ on the word ‘communication’ indicates a static view of communication (because the ‘s’ turns communication into a set of objects • People construct meanings as they communicate • Each communication episode has some degree of uniqueness

  10. 6. Is Communication more appreciatory than functional? • Communicate is fun • People love to play with communication • We hold high regard for excellence in communication regardless of the ‘purpose’

  11. 7. Is Communication primarily functional? • Most people understand that communication is instrumental for fulfillment of needs (as in Maslow; Schutz; or Foa & Foa – see handout in interpersonal needs) • Communication problems occur when we fail to consider the instrumental uses that prompted the communication

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