1Cartoon one

What does this image tell us about communication?

2Cartoon two

What does this image tell us about communication?

3Cartoon three

What does this image tell us about communication?

4What is theory?

A theory is…

• An idea, or group of ideas, that explains an event or phenomenon

• A theory may be very long or quite brief

• Many theories may exist about one event or phenomenon

Adapted from an AUT University Communication Studies Dept teaching resource

5What is communication theory?

• In the early 1900s, communication theorist Harold Lasswell developed a basic model of communication, called the SENDER-MESSAGE-RECEIVER model (SMR model)

• A model is a way of explaining a theory though diagram

• Over time, this model was developed and expanded to include more components.

• There are SIX important components to any communication model : Sender ChannelReceiver Context Message Noise

Adapted from an AUT University Communication Studies Dept teaching resource

6Communication models

Barker, L.L., & Gaut, D. A. (1996). Communication. (7th ed.). Boston: Allyn & Bacon. p. 13

7More communication models

DeVito, J., O’Rourke, S., & O’Neill, L. (2000). Human communication: The New Zealand edition. Auckland: Pearson. p. 9

8Interpersonal communication is…

“a transactional process of exchanging messages and negotiating meaning to convey information

and to establish and maintain relationships”

Wilson, G., Hantz, A., & Hanna, M. (1995). Interpersonal growth through communication. Wisconsin: Brown &

Benchmark, p. 4

9Barriers to communication

Ellis and Thoreau (2004, see readings package pages 1-14) outline how barriers to communication can occur at every stage of the communication process:

Ellis and Thoreau discuss a series of general barriers. Under each of these headings are many important specific barriers to communication that you

need to be aware of. See their chapter for more detail.

Sender/receiver– Barriers can occur in either the sender or the receiver and can

include:• Psychological barriers like being inattentive to the sender; • Physical barriers within the sender/receiver like being tired or

stressed• Past experiences/culture of the sender/receiver• Prejudices held by the sender/receiver

Encoding/decoding– These barriers surround the interpretation of the message

• Perhaps some of the words used aren’t clear• The sender/receiver may use slang that the other participants) do

not understand• Participants may hold different meanings about certain

concepts/words used

10Barriers to communication

Message– Some messages are difficult to listen to, some are culturally

insensitive and some can be very complex and difficult to understand

Channel– The channel can inhibit many barriers

• Many people understand instructions better if they are written than if they are given orally

• Vocal barriers often occur, like speaking too softlyFeedback

– Feedback is an important part of effective communication but can also harbour barriers

• Barriers can occur if feedback is limited, inappropriate and/or receive in an ineffective way

Context– The context of communication is susceptible to many barriers

• The physical environment may be too hot, cold, noisy• Certain contexts require special protocols; if one participant does not

understand these protocols barriers to communication can occur