The Different Characteristics and Models of Communication

The different characteristics and models of communication

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A Concept Paper
Submitted To
Dr. Jose M. Mongcal
Professor

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In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in
English 102
Speech Communication

By

Feah Joyce Q. Remola
BS-Psychology 2
June 27, 2013

Introduction

How well do you communicate? I am a person with confidence. Interacting and communicating to someone is easy as pie. How well do you communicate in English? Well, um, that’s another thing. Improving our communication skills requires lot of practice and acknowledgement of its major components. Some of these components are listening and understanding. Additionally, there is eye contact, gestures, closeness, and properties of speech, such as speaking tempo, and vocal pitch, which can be used to communicate attitudes or other shades of meaning. These are all essential components of communication. Understanding is the essence of communication. If the person you are talking to does not understand any word you say, you’ll probably be graded C- in your communication skills subject.

Objectives

1. To understand the essence of communication in a student’s daily life 2. To enhance communication skills 3. To find out what can help to improve our communication skills 4. Aims to find out the different characteristics and models of communication

Content

Communication is dynamic. When we say dynamic, it means lively, active, and energetic! First and foremost, how can you engage in a good communication if you are boring the other person to death? Hence, the elements in our communication should constantly interact and affect each other.
Communication is unrepeatable and irreversible. As the saying goes, “Never step into the same river twice”. We should always put in mind that as we communicate we should learn how to be creative in thinking of topics that will engage and prolong our conversations.
Communication is affected by culture. There are numerous practices and traditions that are being used throughout the country. For this reason, culture affects communication. As humans, we tend to seek more acquaintances and friends from the different islands of the Philippines. But we should always put into mind that we come from different places thus we have different customs or way of life. Things may be funny and exciting for us, but to them is not. This is the reason why we need to adjust and be flexible as the conversation goes on.
Communication is influenced by ethics. Being an Augustinian student and proudly hailing from a Catholic school, of course I expect the one I’m talking to with to be honest with me. This falls to as how ethics influences communication. The more honest the person is with you, the more engage you are with your communication.
Communication is competence-based. As the communication starts, we are expected to think critically. Though, I believe every now and then, we should throw jokes to ease the seriousness in the atmosphere. But if you are in a communication where facts are being talked about I strongly suggest you must think significantly.
Communication is being transformed by media and technology. From letters to e-mails. As the generation moves forward, so is our form of communication. There are several social medias and technology that offers fast way to communicate without having to stay off out of our beds! Though, there are pro’s and con’s. Pro’s are, it’s faster and easier. Con’s, the essence and the ability to really feel the presence of the one you’re talking to is absent.

Moving forward, here are the models of communication: Linear Model. This model views communication as a one-way or linear process in which the speaker speaks and the listener listens. The main flaw in the linear model is that it depicts communication as a one-way process where speakers only speak and never listen. It also implies that listeners listen and never speak or send messages. The best example I can come up with is during a therapy with a Psychologist wherein the patient speaks and the Psychologist listens. Interactive Model. In this model the receiver or listener provides feedback to the sender or speaker. The speaker or sender of the message also listens to the feedback given by the receiver or listener. Both the speaker and the listener take turns to speak and listen to each other. Feedback is given either verbally or non-verbally, or in both ways. As the name suggest, this model is more interactive than the other. You are able to share information, stories, or facts with each other. Transactional Model. The transactional model shows that the elements in communication are interdependent. Each person in the communication act is both a speaker and a listener, and can be simultaneously sending and receiving messages. Therefore, it is ongoing and continuously changing process.

Reference(s): G. Terikwal and G. Michael (2006). Communication works. 9th Edition. McGraw-Hill: Pennsylvania. http://www.praccreditation.org/secure/documents/APRSG_Comm_Models.pdf