Communication models include classic and active models (Shannon’s information theory), transactive and cybernetic models that comprise feedback of information. However, with the changing technological advancements, communications models introduced are tech savvy since they map closely to materials taught and researched by many scholars in the field of communication. In the communication process, basic elements ascribed to communication model comprise message, receiver, noise, source, channel, effect and feedback among others.
Humans communicate with the motivation of channeling information to each other. The most basic need satisfied as results of communicating include physical, social (companionship, pleasure, escape, and control), practical goals like instrumental (career success) and Maslow’s (self-actualization, safety and self-esteem) basic needs.
Misconceptions relating to communication are things like the process of communication does not solve any problems. Secondly, meanings displayed in the process are not in words. Thirdly, another person’s reaction is not caused by any single individual or event. Fourth, when communicating often, is not always better. Lastly, individuals need to understand that communication does not constantly engross an understanding that is shared.
Self-concept are things like beliefs, values and attitudes. They give a subjective description and meaning particular to a given individual. Communication process helps us understand who we are by receiving feedback then we try and make sense out of the conversation. As a result, we tend to either reject or internalize the whole message or part of it, which in the long run, makes us altered through the experience shared. In other words, by communicating with others, we get to learn who we are more. Self-esteem on the other hand, is self evaluation of one’s identity and the factors ascribed to this concept include self-expectations, gender, prophecies that are self-fulfilling and social comparisons made.
Joseph Luft and Ingrham Harry are the two psychologists who developed the Johari Window model. This window is for feedback getting and giving at home, in the classroom and in the workplace. Things I know about myself (arena such as race, weight), those that others do not know about me (hidden arena like feelings, insecurities), things others know about me (blind spot) and things I do not know about myself (unknown area like abilities, potentials) are the quadrants.
Perceptions of others are formed through encounters of interpersonal communication. Perception is defined as the process whereby, we try to make sense of the world that is around us. The stages of perceptions are selection, where we select that, which we want to perceive; organization, from the perception above we arrange this data; interpretation, from the above two stages, we are able to make interpretations; memory, after interpretation we select the ones that are perceived to be long-term and store them in the brain; and the last stage is stimulation.
Relational Developmental Model by Mark Knapp goes through relationships and incorporates the two stages of make-and-break (coming together and apart). The coming together phase is the developmental stage that hopes to reach the peak of the relationship. The following stages are ascribed to this phase: Initiation, experimentation, intensifying, integration and bonding. In any relationship, the bond tends to break or fall apart in some instances and this relates to the second phase of the relational model of development. It includes differentiation, circumscribing, stagnation, avoidance and termination.
Meta-communication as an act of communication is between two agents, who communicate something about the actual communication, or about existing relationship between the two agents, or both. This form of communication elaborates diverse things at varied levels.
Language in communication is either used or abused considering the group of people around the globe. It can be said that a majority of the younger generation members are abusing the language of communication, but the older generation are trying to preserve the language by using it correctly. This has brought about generation gap in relation to communication and the older people are left out when it comes to communication models.
Cultures do shape the way individuals process and create messages during the communication process. In relation to high vs. low context cultures in relation to language, it is evident that culture comes a long way in determining how an individual relates with others. Culture plays a big role in this because it will show, how the people communicate, and their degree of interacting with other. This aims at elaborating how deep their cultural roots are implanted in their communication speech. Hence, they will use their language to integrate some things. This will bring about wrong interpretations and thus, miscommunication will occur.
Gender affects language because there are terms that are common among males and uncommon in women and vice versa. This is so because, these groups of individuals communicate using different techniques, styles and approaches in order to relay information to the receiver in a manner that will not arouse attention from other public members.
Work Cited
Fortner, R. Communication, Media, and Identity: A Christian Theory of
Communication. Toronto: Rowman & Littlefield, 2007. Print.
