Nature and Elements of Communication: Definition and Process

You communicate constantly without even thinking about it - from texting your friends to presenting in class. Communication is simply the process of sharing information, ideas, and feelings between people through speaking, writing, or body language.

The word comes from Latin 'communicare,' meaning 'to share' or 'make common.' That's exactly what good communication does - it creates shared understanding between you and others. Think about when you explain a funny meme to someone who doesn't get it - you're creating that common understanding.

Communication has some key characteristics you need to know. It's a continuous process that never really stops (even silence says something!). It's also irreversible - once you've said something hurtful, you can't completely take it back. Plus, it's contextual, meaning the same words can mean totally different things depending on the situation.

Remember: What's appropriate when chatting with mates is very different from how you'd speak in a job interview or to your head teacher!

Understanding the Nature of Communication

Communication shapes every aspect of your daily life, from saying "morning" to your family to giving presentations at school. It's dynamic, meaning it's constantly changing and flowing like a conversation that builds on itself.

Context matters massively in communication. The setting, your relationship with the person, and cultural factors all influence how your message is understood. You naturally adjust how you speak depending on whether you're talking to your best friend, a teacher, or your gran.

Communication is also irreversible - think before you speak or hit send on that text! Once words are out there, you can apologise or clarify, but you can't completely undo the impact. This is why considering your audience and situation is so crucial.

The continuous nature of communication means you're always sending messages, even when you're not trying to. Your facial expressions, posture, and even staying quiet all communicate something to others around you.

Top Tip: Even when you think you're not communicating, your body language and behaviour are still sending messages to others!

The Seven Elements of Communication

Every single conversation, text, or presentation involves seven key elements working together. When you understand these communication elements, you'll spot why some messages work brilliantly while others fall flat.

These elements are like ingredients in a recipe - miss one out or get it wrong, and the whole thing can go wrong. Whether you're explaining homework to a mate or asking your boss for time off, all seven elements are at play.

The sender is whoever starts the communication - that's you when you're explaining something or asking a question. You need to encode your thoughts into words, gestures, or writing that others can understand. Your background, mood, and communication skills all affect how you create and send your message.

The message itself includes both what you say (content) and how you say it (treatment). In real conversations, you're often sending multiple messages at once - your words, tone, and body language all contribute to the overall message you're communicating.

Key Point: Your tone of voice and facial expressions often communicate more than your actual words - make sure they match your intended message!

Channels, Receivers, and Feedback

The channel is simply how your message travels - face-to-face chat, WhatsApp, email, or even a handwritten note. Different channels have different strengths. Face-to-face lets you use tone, gestures, and expressions, while texting is quick but can miss emotional nuances.

The receiver is whoever gets your message, and they have to decode what you've said. Their background, mood, and experiences all affect how they interpret your message. This is why the same joke might land differently with different people.

Feedback is the receiver's response back to you - it could be verbal ("Yeah, I get it"), non-verbal (nodding, confused expression), or through actions. Feedback is crucial because it tells you whether your message worked or if you need to try a different approach.

Without feedback, communication becomes one-way broadcasting rather than actual communication. Good communicators actively look for feedback and adjust their approach based on the responses they're getting.

Pro Tip: Always watch for non-verbal feedback - if someone looks confused or bored, adjust your communication style even if they're not saying anything!

Noise and Context in Communication

Noise is anything that messes up your communication - and it's not just loud sounds. Physical noise includes actual distractions like traffic or construction. But psychological noise (when you're worried about an exam and can't focus) and semantic noise (confusing jargon or unfamiliar words) can be just as disruptive.

Cultural noise happens when different backgrounds create misunderstandings. Technical issues during online lessons are perfect examples of how noise can completely derail communication, no matter how clear your message is.

Context is the entire situation surrounding your communication - where you are, who you're with, what's happened before, and the cultural setting. The same words can mean completely different things in different contexts.

Understanding context helps you choose the right tone, words, and approach. "Thanks" can be genuine gratitude, casual acknowledgment, or sarcastic frustration - context determines which meaning your audience will understand.

Reality Check: The same message can succeed or fail completely depending on timing, setting, and your relationship with the receiver!

The Communication Process Model

Communication follows a specific sequence that helps you understand where things might go wrong. The communication process is cyclical - each response becomes a new message, creating an ongoing conversation cycle.

Step 1: Ideation happens when you first have something to communicate. You might want to inform, persuade, entertain, or just express feelings. This is where you decide what you actually want to achieve with your communication.

Step 2: Encoding is when you turn your idea into words, gestures, or symbols that others can understand. You naturally adjust your encoding based on your audience - you'd explain the same concept very differently to a Year 7 student versus your teacher.

The key is matching your encoding to your receiver's level of understanding and the context you're in. Choose words, examples, and delivery methods that will resonate with your specific audience.

Smart Move: Before you speak or write, quickly think: "How can I put this in a way that this specific person will understand and respond to positively?"

Transmission, Reception, and Completion

Step 3: Transmission is actually sending your encoded message through your chosen channel. Whether you're speaking face-to-face, sending a text, or writing an email, this is when your message travels from you to your receiver.

Step 4: Reception happens when the receiver's senses pick up your message. They hear your words, see your expressions, or read your text. But reception doesn't automatically mean understanding - they still need to decode what you've communicated.

The receiver then decodes your message, interpreting your words, tone, and context to understand your meaning. Their background, current mood, and relationship with you all influence how they interpret what you've said.

Finally, the cycle continues when the receiver provides feedback, becoming the sender of a new message. This back-and-forth creates the natural flow of conversation and helps ensure understanding develops between both parties.

Key Insight: Communication is successful only when your intended message matches what the receiver actually understands - not just when you've said what you meant to say!