Human Communication Redefined
“Human communication is something that enables our society to thrive, and in order for the context to be successfully executed, both the sender and receiver need to understand the basic principles.” (Caudill, Personal Quote, 2008).
Human communication is a difficult term to define. Experience and observations made the circular process of communication more valuable. Knowing of a term and actually practicing means of successful communication is essential for content to have value. Communication as defined by Merriam-Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary as, “a process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior.”
Not all human communication is absolute or understood to sender’s intentional purpose.
“What is the etymology of the word communication? Let us think about it, communication is probably Greek; communication involves travel or transmission, so it is the Greek god of the travel channel.” (Caudill, Personal Quote, 2008).
As an example of joking and miscommunication this quote shows how creative, experience, understanding and knowledge interact to create message or feedback.
As stated in the Shannon-Weaver Model, communication is the process where a message is transmitted between a sender and a receiver with feedback that acknowledges the understanding and meaning. (Underwood, Shannon-Weaver Model, 2008). There are multiple elements shown in the Shannon-Weaver Model which are sender, encoded, message, noise, decoding, receiver, and feedback.
Shown in Figure 1: Circular Process of Communication – the environment, but with the image of noise being able to affect the process at any point. Noise is term given to communication barriers. Noise can be other conversations going on at the sometime, language differences, distractions or even network interference for technology based communication. Other components of communication include meaning, body language, and rational.
“When you experience knowledge, it is then, that you truly understand experience.” (Maroun, Personal Quote, 2008).
Colleague of mine, Eric Maroun, stated that inspired, Figure 2 Venn diagram of obtaining meaning from communication with knowledge, understanding, and experience. Educated knowledge, life experience, and understanding work together creating purpose or feedback. Communication will vary between people through interpretation and these variables demonstrate it. Without meaning the process of communication is interrupted.
As stated by Littlejohn, “Within cybernetics, communication is understood as a system of parts, or variables, that influence one another, shape and control the character of the overall system, and, like an organism, achieve both balance and change.” (Littlejohn, Theories o f Human Communication.) This quote further strengthens the importance of balancing and change of the three elements of meaning. (Figure 2: Obtaining Meaning from Communication – Knowledge, Understanding, & Experience Venn Diagram). Meaning with understanding is what allows communication to have purpose.
Experience is different between people even, if following similar life styles. Experience can be obtained through gained knowledge, skill in or observation of to assist with interpretation. Human communication in the age of information opens access to wide range of information through technology. Web 2.0 has widened the parameters available to the network hosts. Though being lead by amateurs is easily mistaken from vast access to shared experience.
Knowledge is power through understanding not just experience. Communication process allows for feedback and repeatable cycle to develop interruptions. Technology through networking is means of enhancing and allowing continuous communication using copper, fiber optics, and wireless channels. Stored or real time communication is possible for more continuous process with convenience. “Binary signal transmissions provide the means of such things as e-mail, instant messages, and other applications of communication.” (Kovac, 2008). Technology also breaks down the geographical distance barriers with established connectivity.
“What matters is that everyone who works for and with you observes you embracing the topic with both arms – and your calendar. What they need to observe is your obvious, visible and dramatic, determination to batter down all barriers to understanding, and the implementation.” (Peters, 1987, L-3, pp. 501).
The process of communication has barrier or noise but there are ways to deal with them such as technology. Human communication being real-time anywhere is dropping or reducing barriers. Peters quote is teaching the lessons of managing by example. If everyone understands, share and practice their experiences with openness to other more can be successfully communicated.
As stated by Dr. Ray Steele, “Communication is an Art, not a Science. It starts over every day, but you can always improve it, you just have to work at it.” The process of communication is different from every person but is repeated over time; even if to counter act the threat of disruption or noise.