Objectivity: This Activity Is Designed To Help You Understan ✓ Solved

Objectivethis Activity Is Designed To Help You Understand The Process

Objectivethis Activity Is Designed To Help You Understand The Process

Objective: This activity is designed to help you understand the process of communication that you will be exploring in your final project. Background: Please begin this exercise by reading the following information carefully. Although the study of effective communication practices dates back to such ancient scholars as Aristotle and Cicero, communication as a separate field of study is relatively modern, propelled in part by interest in twentieth-century advances in electronic communications. Scholars look at particular combinations of people communicating with each other in specific contexts. Our readings this week in the Encyclopedia of Communication Theory tell us the resulting theories can be categorized according to communication context: intrapersonal communication focuses largely on our cognitive abilities; interpersonal communication addresses the communication between dyads and triads (two-three people); group communication deals with small group interactions; organizational communication addresses communication across organizations; public/rhetorical communication examines face-to-face communication to a large group of listeners; mass/mediated communication encompasses messages produced for mass or mediated audiences; and intercultural communication looks at communication among people of different cultures.

Some researchers also specialize in gender communication, which focuses on communication issues of women and between the sexes, health communication, and computer-mediated communication. Whatever the context, most scholars agree there are five facets to communication that come together to define it as a social process in which individuals employ symbols to establish and interpret meaning in their environment. Let's see if we can collaborate on enhancing our understanding of these terms! Activity: Select and respond to of the following questions:

1. Communication is social in that it involves people and interactions, whether face-to-face or mediated. Can you think of a few more categories for the social patterns of human communication?
2. Communication uses symbols, arbitrary labels or representations of phenomena that are sometimes concrete in that they represent an actual object, and sometimes abstract because they can represent ideas and thoughts. Explain a time when you did not understand a "symbol" — what was it, and how did you realize you did not understand what was being communicated?
3. Communication is a process that is an ongoing, dynamic, and unending occurrence. It also is complex and continually changing. If it were not dynamic, compromise and resolution would not be possible. Communication also is irretrievable, irreversible, and unrepeatable; as such, each communication "episode" is unique. Describe a communication interaction — perhaps one you have had — that exemplifies how people can end up in a very different place once a discussion gets underway.
4. Meaning is what people extract from what researchers might call a communication episode. What are some examples of situations in which communication may succeed even without shared meaning?
5. The term environment is used by communication scholars to describe the situation in which communications occurs, and can include time, place, method (that is, whether the communication is mediated by technology), historical period, relationships among the participants, and their ages, genders, education, and cultural backgrounds. All of these elements will influence each person's perspectives and perceptions during the communication process. For example, the context of Bob Dylan's music was the Civil Rights movement in the 1960s. What are some major contemporary media messages for which the context has changed in recent years? Complete your response by telling us some of the challenges that you see to studying the elements of "communication." Make sure to connect your ideas to the course content that you were asked to read by using American Psychological Association-style references. If you are unfamiliar with that reference style, you can find examples at the following link: References Griffin, E. (2009). A first look at communication theory. (7th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Keyton, J. (2011). Communication research: Asking questions, finding answers. (3rd ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill. Severin, W. J., and Tankard, J. W. (2001). Communication theories: Origins, methods, and uses in the mass media . (5th ed.). New York, NY: Longman West, R., and Turner, L. H. (2010). Introducing communication theory. (4th ed.). New York, NY: McGraw-Hill.

   Sample Paper For Above Instruction

   Understanding the Process and Contexts of Human Communication

   Communication is an inherently social activity that encompasses various patterns and contexts. Beyond face-to-face and mediated interactions, additional categories include nonverbal communication, such as gestures and facial expressions, and digital communication via social media platforms, which have become increasingly significant in contemporary society. These modes illustrate the expanding ways humans connect and share information, emphasizing the importance of understanding diverse social patterns (Griffin, 2009).

   Symbols play a crucial role in communication; however, misunderstandings can occur when symbols are ambiguous or culturally specific. For instance, I once encountered a digital icon representing a "reply" function that confused me initially. I mistook it for a delete option because of its visual similarity to a "trash bin." I realized I didn't understand it when I saw others using it to respond, prompting me to consult the help section and learn its actual function. This experience underscored how symbolic representations can lead to miscommunication if not universally understood.

   Communication is a dynamic and ongoing process. An illustrative example from my experience involved a disagreement with a colleague about project responsibilities. As discussions progressed, our original positions evolved, and we reached a compromise. Initially, we held conflicting views, but through continued dialogue, we gained mutual understanding and aligned our efforts. This interaction demonstrated that communication processes are fluid, capable of shaping perceptions and outcomes over time (Keyton, 2011).

   In some situations, communication can succeed despite a lack of shared meaning. For example, in cross-cultural interactions, individuals often rely on nonverbal cues or contextual clues to understand each other, even when language barriers exist. Such situations highlight the importance of relational and contextual factors in facilitating effective communication when explicit shared meaning is absent (Severin & Tankard, 2001).

   The environment of communication significantly influences perceptions and messages. Contemporary media messages, such as climate change awareness campaigns, have shifted in context due to evolving societal concerns and technological advancements. For example, early environmental messages focused on conservation, while recent campaigns emphasize climate justice and sustainability, reflecting changes in societal priorities and the global discourse (West & Turner, 2010).

   Studying the elements of communication presents challenges, including cultural variability, technological changes, and contextual nuances. The complexity of human interactions means that researchers must account for multiple variables that influence meaning and understanding. Additionally, rapid technological developments continually alter communication landscapes, making it difficult to establish fixed theories or models that encompass all relevant factors (Griffin, 2009). Despite these challenges, understanding the multifaceted nature of communication remains essential for effective interpersonal and mass communication practices.

   References

   • Griffin, E. (2009). A first look at communication theory (7th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
   • Keyton, J. (2011). Communication research: Asking questions, finding answers (3rd ed.). McGraw-Hill.
   • Severin, W. J., & Tankard, J. W. (2001). Communication theories: Origins, methods, and uses in the mass media (5th ed.). Longman.
   • West, R., & Turner, L. H. (2010). Introducing communication theory (4th ed.). McGraw-Hill.