Chapter 1

metaphors

a means to understanding and experiencing one thing in terms of another

source

a message initiator

receiver

a message target

context

a set of circumstances or a situation

ethics

a set of moral principles or values

code

a systematic arrangement of symbols used to create meanings in the mind of another person or persons

nonverbal codes

all symbols that are not words, including bodily movements, use of space and time, clothing and adornments, and sounds other than words

process

an activity, exchange, or set of behaviors that occurs over time

noise

any interference in the encoding and decoding processes that reduces message clarity

verbal codes

symbols and their grammatical arrangement, such as languages

communication competence

the ability to effectively exchange meaning through a common system of symbols, signs, or behaviors

dialogue

the act of taking part in a conversation, discussion, or negotiation

channel

the means by which a message moves from the source to the receiver of the message

decoding

the process of assigning meaning to the idea or thought in a code

encoding

the process of translating an idea or thought into a code

small-group communication

the process of using messages to generate a meaning in a small group of people

communication

the process of using messages to generate meaning

interpersonal communication

the process of using messages to generate meaning between at least two people in a situation that allows mutual opportunities for both speaking and listening

intrapersonal communication

the process of using messages to generate meaning within the self

mass communication

the process of using messages to generate meanings in a mediated system, between a source and a large number of unseen receivers

public communication

the process of using messages to generate meanings in a situation in which a single source transmits a message to a number of receivers

feedback

the receiver's verbal and nonverbal response to the source's message

meaning

the understanding of the message

message

the verbal or nonverbal form of the idea, thought, or feeling that one person (the source) wishes to communicate to another person or group of people (the receivers)

dyadic communication

two-person communication