Contents
• Introduction
• What is
communication?
• Definitions
of different scholars.
•
Conceptualizing Communication
• Points of
Convergence and Divergence by Katharine Miller
• Points of
convergence and Diversions from definitions of different scholars
• References
Introduction
The term communication in derived from the Latin word
“commnus” that means “common” and is used in reference to community. The word
communication itself relates to the same family as it develops a society.
Communication is a social interaction through “symbols” and “message”. It does
not refer to verbal explicit and intentional transmission of message alone. We
can say that communication is a process of giving or exchange information
signals or message as by talk gestures or writing.
What is Communication?
Communication is the transfer of information from person to
person, creature to creature or point to point. Communication may be in the
form of sound transmission for example human speech, the beating of drum, bird
calls or the slap of beaver’s tail on the water to warn for an approaching
danger. It may also be in the form that requires sight for example writing,
pictures, signal flags, gestures or the dance of the honey bee to signify to
the other bees in the hive that it has found a source of pollen or it may be in
a form that requires the utilization of the other senses.
Communication requires a sender and a receiver, thus the
communication can occur across vast distances in time and distance which shares
a communication commonality. It is shaped into a process of exchange of
information covered over steps and parts.
Nature of communication varies widely and it covers many
different opinions, which contradicts with variable steps involved in
communication. Information itself can have a lot of different concepts
depending on the context and circumstances.
People often mix the concept of information in communication
and the medium to transfer it as the same to distinguish between the both we
need to understand that information can be words, gestures, drawings,
paintings, songs, music, symbols, sounds etc. While the medium allowing the
flow of information can be speeches, blogs, emails, microphones, cell phones,
forums, newspapers, televisions, radios, internet and just about anything that
allows your contact with somebody that may receive information.
Definitions of
Communication by Scholars and Authors
Communication is defined by various scholars, authors and
educationists differently according to their understanding, perceptions and
studies. Following are some definitions for communication.
• “Communication is the verbal interchange of thought or
idea” (Hoben, 1954).
• “Communication is the process by which we understand
others and in turn endeavor to be understood by them. It is dynamic, constantly
changing and shifting in response to the total situation” (Anderson, 1959).
• “Communication: the transmission of information, idea,
emotion, skills, etc., by the use of symbols-words, pictures, figures, graphs,
etc. It is the act or process of transmission that is usually called
communication” (Berelson and Steiner, 1964).
• “Every communication act is viewed as a transmission of
information, consisting of discriminative stimuli, from a source to a
recipient” (Newcomb, reprinted 1966).
• “In the main, communication has as its central interest
those behavioral situations in which a source transmits a message to a
receiver(s) with conscious intent to affect the latter’s behaviors” (George A.
Miller, 1966).
• “the word communication includes all the procedures by
which one mind affects the other” (Clauds Shanon and Warren Weaver)
• “The mechanism through which human relations exists and
develop. All the symbols of the mind together with the means of conveying them
through space and preserving them in time.” (Charles Colley)
• “The communication process is one of transition from one
structured situation-as-a-whole to another, in preferred design” (Sondel,
1956).
• “Communication is the mechanism by which power is exerted”
(Schacter, 1951).
• “In the most general sense we have communication whenever
one system (source) influences another (destination) by manipulation
alternative signals, which can be transmitted over channel connecting them.”
(Charles E. O. S. Good)
Conceptualizing Communication
Communication is a part of nature. It is the activity of
conveying sets of information that affects others. In order to develop
communication you need to have a sender (the source of your information) and a
receiver (that accepts the information). Receiver regardless of understanding
the intentions of others accepts the information and responds accordingly and
variably.
A medium allows you to understand and receive information in
a much better way; it enhances your understanding, which is a primary need of
human nature. Developing an understanding is a must and only communication
allows it to occur. Points of convergence and divergence suggested by Katherine
Miller
Points of Convergence:
• Communication is a process.
• Communication is transactional.
• Communication is symbolic.
Points of Divergence:
• Communication is a social activity.
• Communication is intentional.
Points of convergence and diversions from definitions of
different scholars
Points of Convergence:
Communication is interactive
Reduces uncertainty
It’s dynamic
It’s a versatile process
It’s proactive
Communication is non-static
It’s grounded in perspectives
It’s symbolic
Communication creates commonness
Transmission
Communication proactive not passive
Points of Divergence:
Understanding
Intentional
Verbal
Constant
Social interaction
Art
Observation
Passive
Transfer of information.
References
Theories of human communication by Little John.
www.shkaminski.com/Classes/Handouts/Definitions%20of%20Communication.htm
www.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Communication.
www.people-communicating.com/what-is-communication.html
www.wiki.answers.com/Q/How_is_communication_defined_by_different_scholars_and_communicators
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