Importance of Interpersonal Communication Practicum Project

Principles of Communication

Communication is symbolic.

We communicate using words, but the words are only symbols, not the actual objects themselves. Communication involves words, pictures, sounds, and marks, all of which may represent something else.

Communication involves a shared meaning.

When you speak with a friend, and she tells you of an experience that she recently had, you are able to understand her experience because you have a shared meaning of the words and symbols that she uses to describe the experience.

Communication is a process.

It evolves over time and after multiple engagements that build upon each other. This ongoing interaction changes the relationship.

Communication is a process.

The process of exchanging messages, between two or more people, to create and share meaning is how communication is defined.

Communication is purposeful.

We communicate for a reason. There are five key reasons to communicate.

Sender

The sender is the source, or originator, of the interpersonal communication.

Receiver

The receiver is the recipient of the communication. In a conversation, two people exchange the role of the sender and the receiver very rapidly.

Message

The message is the actual content of the communication itself. It’s the idea the sender wants to communicate to the receiver.

Channel

The channel refers to the medium in which the message is sent from the sender to the receiver. If the communication is via email, the Internet is the channel; if it is via telephone, the phone lines are the channel. In person, the air is the medium or channel.

Feedback

Feedback is defined as the information the sender gets from the receiver in response to the message. It can be non-verbal, such as a head nod indicating understanding or it can be verbal when the receiver says, “I don’t understand what you mean.” Feedback is very important in determining if the communication was effective or if we need to repeat or change the message to be sure it is correctly understood.

Environment

Environment refers to the external environment where the communication takes place.

Noise

Noise refers to anything that interferes or disrupts the communication process.

Communication Continuum

Interpersonal communication exists on a continuum that ranges from impersonal to highly personal.

A conversation between a waiter and a customer would typically fall at the impersonal end of the spectrum. A conversation between two longtime friends would fall at the other end of the spectrum.

Mediated Communication

Mediated communication is when someone or something acts as a connector between the two people communicating. Mediated communication often refers to communication involving technology, such as cell phones, computers, email, and video cameras.

Small Group Communication

Small group communication involves communication among three or more people. In a small group, the nature of the communication can change rapidly, as two or more may share an opinion and have greater ability to influence the opinions of others in the group.