COMM 243 Interpersonal
Communications final exam prediction
solution chapter 1- chapter 2 Athabasca
University
, COMM 243 Interpersonal Communications final exam prediction solution chapter 1- chapter 2
Athabasca University
instrumental goals - --goals aimed at getting things done.
linear communication model - --A characterization of communication as a one-way event in which a
message flows from sender to receiver.
e.g. loud music, too much cigarette smoke in a crowded room.
sender - --The creator of the message
encode - --the process of putting thoughts into symbols, most commonly words
message - --information sent by a sender to a receiver
channel - --the medium through which a message passes from sender to receiver
receiver - --One who notices and attends to a message
decode - --the process by which a receiver attaches meaning to a message (synonymous with
interpretation)
noise - --external psychological and physiological distractions that interfere with the accurate
transmission and reception of a message.
transactional communication model - --a characterization of communication as the simultaneous
sending and receiving of messages in an ongoing irreversible process
,As the shared environment becomes smaller, communication becomes more difficult.
e.g. boss who doesn't understand the perspective of their employees; and employees who don't
understand the challenges their boss faces and are uncooperative.
includes physiological factors such as illness, fatigue and hearing loss.
includes psychological factors such as failing a test and not acknowledging you didn't study well.
environment - --the field of experiences that lead a person to make sense of another's behaviour
e.g. Person A and B might belong to different ethnic groups, economic standing, age groups, or one
may feel stronger about a subject than the other.
external noise (examples) - --Sounds, running motors, talking, music, smoke, temperature, perfumes,
smells, visual distractions, clothing, lighting, language, nonverbal communication, culturally diverse
mannerisms
physiological noise (examples) - --pain, hunger, fatigue, visual problems, pounding heart, body
temperature, thirst, itch, twitching, hearing loss, numbness, dizziness
psychological noise (examples) - --embarrassment, anger, disappointment, confusion, nervousness,
inadequacies, fear, joy, pressure, boredom, pessimism, optimism, apathy, shame
interpersonal communication - --A continuous, transactional process involving participants who
occupy different but overlapping environments and create relationships through the exchange of
messages, many of which are affected by external, physiological, and psychological noise.
, Intentional vs. Unintentional communication - --intentional communication: you plan your words
carefully before asking for a big favour or offering criticism.
unintentional communication: nonverbal messages - sigh of boredom, sour expression,
Communication is irreversible - --we have all said words that we immediately regretted saying -
apologies may take care of hurt feelings, explanations may clear misunderstandings - however it is not
impossible to "un-receive" a message.
Not communicating is impossible - --it is impossible not to communicate because all of our actions or
lack of action may communicate different things to different people even if inaccurate, ineffective or
unsatisfying.
e.g. whether you speak or remain silent, whether you confront or avoid.
Communication is "unrepeatable" - --Communication is an ongoing process, and you cannot recreate
an event. How you felt or your experiences change from one moment to the next.
e.g. communication style that worked with one person may not work with another. Also
communication style that worked with a person one week may not work the next week.
content dimension / message
vs.
relational dimension / message - --content: a message that communicates information about the
subject being explicitly discussed.
eg. turn left at the next corner
relational: a message that expresses social relationships between two or more individuals
