Republic of the Philippines

CITY COLLEGE OF TAGAYTAY

Akle St., Kaybagal South, Tagaytay City
SCHOOL OF ARTS AND SCIENCES
General Education Department

MODULE 1 - PRELIM

Time: ____________

Homeschool:____________

Educator: Jeff Jeremiah C. Perea

ENGL1a – Purposive Communication

Title: Unit I: Communication Processes, Principles and Ethics, Communication and

Globalization
Lesson 1: Definition of Communication
 Forms of Communication
 Models of Communication
 Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
 Causes of Misunderstandings in Communication
 Problems in Understanding the Message

Learning Outcomes
a. identify and explain the forms and models of communication along with the causes of
communication failure, and
b. compare verbal and nonverbal communication.

Rationale:
Communication is fundamental to the existence and survival of humans as well as to an
organization. It is a process of creating and sharing ideas, information, views, facts, feelings, etc.
among the people to reach a common understanding. Communication is the key to the Directing
function of management.
(https://www.toppr.com/guides/businessstudies/directing/communication/)
Communication builds the integrity of a person. With integrity, an effective
communicator communicates honestly and ethically. These establish credibility and
trustworthiness through the integrity of his/her character, and as a result, of his/her
communication. Once integrity is established with someone, this will be trusted and viewed as
ethical.
As our students take this subject as one of their requirements to complete their course,
they will be equipped with different principles which later on will make them effective
communicators who are ready and brave enough to face the different challenges of the world.

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Topic/s:
Lesson 1: Definition of Communication
Communication can be defined as a process by which information, meanings and
feelings are shared by persons through a common system of verbal and nonverbal
symbols, signs or behavior.
As a process, communication is characterized as:
1. Dynamic - it is constantly changing because it relies on human perception that can
change overtime; therefore, it is irreversible and unrepeatable;
2. Continuous - it is an ongoing exchange of meaning-sharing behaviors between/among
individuals who operate within a frame of experience; it does not have a beginning, an
end, a fixed sequence of events;
3. Adaptive - it adjusts to the changes that occur in its physical and psychological
environment;
4. Systemic - it involves components that are interrelated and interacting in a cyclic
order, and
5. Transactional - every communication is a unique combination of people, messages
and events; it consists of unending sharing (transmission and reception) of
messages between/among people on some occasions.

A. Forms of Communication
1. Intrapersonal Communication is talking to oneself (self-talk) through internal
vocalization or reflective thinking due to some internal or external stimulus. In other
words, this type of communication takes place within the person. For example, you
may talk to yourself about what you want to drink because of the internal stimulus
of thirst, or you may think about a car accident you have witnessed. In contrast with
other forms of communication, intrapersonal communication takes place only inside
a person’s head.
2. Interpersonal Communication is a form of communication wherein individuals are
engaged actively in the overt and covert transmission and reception of messages.
a. Dyadic Communication is a two-person communication such as telephone
conversation, job interview and doctor-patient conversation.
b. Small Group Communication ideally consists of three to six persons such as
committee meeting, buzz session and brainstorming activity.
3. Public Communication is conveying information to a large audience. It is more
sender-focused than intrapersonal and interpersonal forms of communication.
a. Speaker-Audience Communication is talking to a large number of people
who are gathered for some occasions. The speaker centers the
communication event on the audience. He analyzes the audience to
determine the content, language usage and listener expectations.
Effective communication occurs because the speaker can tailor the
messages to the needs of the listeners.
b. Mass Communication is the “process whereby media organizations produce
and transmit messages to large publics and the process by which those

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 messages are sought, used, understood, and influenced by
audience” (Littlejohn and Foss, 2011).

B. Models of Communication
The following materials are based on the book Communication in the Real World:
An Introduction to Communication Studies published by University of Minnesota
Libraries Publishing (2016) and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-
NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License
(https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0). The book discussed three models of
communication: transmission, interaction and transaction.
1. Transmission Model considers communication as a one-directional exchange in
which the message is purposely conveyed by a speakerto a listener (Ellis &
McClintock, 1990). This model centers on the sender and information present in a
communication environment. Despite the inclusion of the receiver in this
communication model, this function is regarded merely as target or destination and not
a part of a continuous exchange of meanings. Therefore, communication is considered
simply as source and destination of messages.

Message
Sender Receiver
Channel

2. Interaction Model describes communication as a process in which communicators

change roles as sender and receiver and produce meaning by exchanging messages
within their own environment and experience (Schramm, 1977). Rather than
illustrating communication as a linear, unindirectional method, the interaction model
incorporates feedback that makes communication significantly collaborative, two-way
method. Feedback is conveyed as a response to received messages. From this
standpoint, communication can be described as producing exchanges of meanings
within physical and behavioral settings.

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3. Transaction Model explains communication as a way of creating realities based on
our social, relational and cultural backgrounds. This model shows that communication
is not a mere exchange of experiences. It rather shows that we intend to build
relationships, create intercultural understanding, form our self-identity, and interact
with others to engender societies. In other words, transactional communication aims
towards creating experiences instead of merely talking about them. It considers
communication as an amalgam of our constant engagements with other people to not
only construct experiences but modify them as well.

Social Context can be described as the declared rules or undeclared norms that
guide communication. As we get integrated with different communities, we become
acquainted with rules and indirectly get along the norms for sharing experiences. Some
common rules that influence social contexts include don’t lie to poeple, don’t interrupt
people, don’t pass people in line, greet people when they greet you, thank people when
they pay you a compliment, and so on. These rules are often overtly taught to children
or students by their parents or teachers. Rules may be stated over and over, and there
may be punishment for not following them.

Rational Context involves our erstwhile socializations and type of association

we have forged with other people. We communicate differently with someone we just
met versus someone we’ve known for a long time. First time encounters with
individuals are inclined to be dictated by established rules and norms; however, once
we have a strong relational context, we tend to disregardnor alter social norms and
rules more easily.

Culural Context consists of an individual’s self-concept and self-perception in

relation to nationality, ethnicity, religion, social class, race, gender and sexual
orientation. We have not just one but multiple identities that influence our
communication. Our awareness of these identities adversely impact the way we
interact with others, especially when we feel inferior to other cultures. Similarly,

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 people with identities that are dominant or in the majority - who think highly of their
culture - show more confidence in the way they communicate with others particularly
those that have been historically oppressed and downgraded.
C. Verbal and Nonverbal Communication
Verbal Communication can be defined as the exchange of ideas that occurs
through words. This can be both written and oral.
 Verbal communication allows individuals to exchange ideas, opinions, values
and suggestions, and creates an atmosphere where an individual can connect
with another.
 Verbal communication may take place face-to-face or through some media
such as the telephone.
 When a person engages in a converstaion with a friend, this is verbal
communication because it allows them to use words to communicate with each
other. Through letters, various documents, memos, text messages, and bills,
people communicate with others. Both situations exemplify verbal
communication in oral and written form, respectively.
 Since words are man’s primary symbols, verbal communication creates a
condition where transferring information becomes ver clear.

Nonverbal Communication is wordless exchange of information, thoughts,

feelings, etc. Between or among individuals.
 People communicate a lot nonverbally through intonation and stress, gross
bodily movements such as gestures and facial expressions, material things such
as hair style and jewelry, and touching, kissing and hugging.
 These nonverbal elements give deeper meaning and intention to words.
 Nonverbal signals can give clues and additional information and meaning over
and above verbal communication.
 Nonverbal signals are more vulnerable to misunderstanding.
 It includes the following types:
(1) Paralanguage (Vocalics) refers to vocal qualities that go along with
verbal message, such as pitch, volume, rate, vocal quality, and verbal fillers
(Andersen, 1999).
(2) Action Language (Kinesics) refers to gross bodily movements such as
walking and eating. It consists of (a) gesture, (b) facial expression, (c) eye
contact and (d) posture.
(3) Sign Language consists of body movements that are used as substitute for
letters, words, numbers, phrases and even sentences.
(4) Object language (Objectics) refers to the intentional or unintentional
display of material things such as the clothes you wear, hair style, the
decoration of a room, jewelry, implements, machines, the human body, etc.
(5) Tactile Language (Haptics) is communication by touch such as a kiss or a
tap on the back. It is the most elementary mode of communication and the
first an infant experiences.

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 (6) Space/Distance (Proxemics) expresses certain types of messages. In
America, there are four primary distance zones: (a) intimate, (b) personal,
(c) social and (d) public distance.
(7) Time (Chronemics) refers to man’s use of time in sending certain types of
messages. Time as a form of nonverbal communication can be best
explainedby the concept of punctuality, willingness to wait and interactions.
(8) Silence is the lack of audible sound, or the presence of sounds of very low
intensity. It can be best explained by the statement “What is not said is as
important as or even more important than what is said.” Sometimes silence
can communicate better than any words.

Combining Verbal and Nonverbal Cues

Both verbal and nonverbal communications are part fo the complete interaction
process and, in practice, are inseparable. A combination of verbal and nonverbal
signals is a good style to effectively convey information, thoughts and feelings.
Smiling, laughing, and using a friendly tone of voice while saying, “That is so funny”,
lets your listener know that you really do think the siyuation is funny. However,
making the same statement while using an unfriendly tone of voice accompanied by no
smile, clearly lets your listenes know that you do not, in fact, find the situation
humorous. Another example that shows successful integration of verbal and nonverbal
communication is using your finger to point to the direction you are describing.

D. Causes of Misunderstandings in Communication

The book Business Communication identified and explained the major barriers to
effective communication.
1. Problems in Developing the message
a) Indecision about the message content. This is due to the fact that the sender has
too much information on the subject, which gives rise to the difficulty in choosing
what to include and what to exclude. When the message has too much of
information then the receiver can get confused.
b) Lack of familiarity with the situation or the receiver. The sender should get all
the necessary information anf find out to whom the message is to be sent. This
would enable the sender to state the message in a language that is appropriate to
the situation and clearly understood by the receiver.
c) Emotional conflicts. There are times when the message has to be delivered that
would cause emotional disturbance to the receiver. In such case, without being
defensive, the sender should state the message in a manner that would avoid
emotional conflict.
d) Difficulty in expressing ideas. This is due to the lack of experience in writing or
speaking that the sender may have and cause difficulty in expressing his/her ideas.
One must possess sufficient knowledge of language to express using appropriate
words.

2. Problems in transmitting the message

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 a) When speaking, the sender may find that the acoustics in the pllace is poor, or
there may be no proper facilities for the audience to hear the speaker.
b) There are written messages that are difficult to understand because of
illegibility due to poor printing quality.
c) When more than one message is sent on the same subject, there is a good
possibility of contradictions. In such a case, the receiver is uncertain and
interpretation may be confused.
d) When there are too many links in the communication line, there could ne
distortion of message. For instance, when the message has to pass through many
people there is a possibility of each person interpreting the message in his or her
way. By the time the message gets to the actual receiver, the message would have
undergone change that would be far from the intended meaning.

3. Problems in receiving the message

a) Physical distraction: The receiver may have physical impairment (difficulty of
hearing, poor eye sight) that could cause hindrance in understanding the message.
b) Lack of Concentration: The receiver may not have enough capacity to
concentrate and may get his/her mind wander off the message - i.e. sometimes we
are thinking of some other issues when a person is telling us something else. This
is a big hindrance in communication process.

4. Problems in understanding the message

a) Different cultural background: such as education, social status, economic
position, etc. could become a hindrance in the process of understanding the
message.
b) Different interpretation of words: This happens when the receiver is not
familiar with a particular language.For example, the receiver may not be
computer literate and hence, may not understand the computer
language that the sender is using.
c) Different emotional reaction: The message consists of both the content
meaning and relationship meaning. The message may be clear, but the
manner in which it is expressed or worded may not be acceptable
to the receiver. When the message is not acceptable, then it may
give rise to negative feelings and the communication can
breakdown and not receive proper response.

Instruction/s:
Read and analyze the different instructions given below. Follow what they tell you to do.

Activities:

TEST YOUR KNACK!

Comprehension Check: Answer the following exercises as directed.

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 A. True or False
________1. Verbal communication allows people to use words to communicate with
each other.
________2. Communication is systematic because it involves components that are
interralated and interacting in a static condition.
________3. Nonverbal signals are more vulnerable to misunderstanding.
________4. Communication is dynamic because human perception can change overtime.
________5. Verbal signals can give clues and additional information and meaning over
and above nonverbal communication.
________6. Modern avenues of mass communication like the internet and blogs can be
powerful in information dissemination instantly.
________7. The interactive model views communication as a process in which the
speaker and listener take turns speaking, listening and giving
feedback to each other.
________8. You cannot communicate if you are not physically present in a particular
place.
________9. Communication can involve only one person.
________10. Each person in the communication process reacts depending on factors such
as their background, prior experiences, attitudes, cultural beliefs and self-
esteem.

B. Identification
_______________1. Each person in this communication model is both a speaker and a
listener, and can be simultaneously sending and receiving
messages.
_______________2. It is the most elementary mode of communication and the first an
infant experiences.
_______________3. This model views communication as a one-way process in which the
speaker speaks and the listener listens.
_______________4. It refers to the intentional or unintentional display of material things.
_______________5. This model indicates that the speaker and listener communicate
better if they have common fields of experience which
overlap.
_______________6. It consists of body movements that are used as substitute for letters,
words, numbers, phrases and even sentences.
_______________7. This context includes various aspects of identities such as race,
gender, nationality, ethnicity, sexual orientation, class, and
ability.
_______________8. In this form of communication, individuals are engaged actively in
the overt and covert transmission and reception of messages.
_______________9. This form of communication takes place only inside a person’s
head.
_______________10. In this form of public communication, information is transmitted to
many people through print or electronic media.

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 _______________11. In this barrier, the sender has too much information on the subject,
which gives rise to the difficulty in choosing what to include
and what to exclude.
_______________12. Difficulty of hearing and poor eye sight are examples of this
problem in receiving the message.
_______________13. “The receiver may not be computer literate and hence, may not
understand the computer language that the sender is using”
is an example of this problem in understanding the message.
_______________14. This problem in receiving the message refers to the idea that
sometimes we are thinking of some other issues when a
person is telling us something else.
_______________15. This problem in understanding the message has a clear message
but the manner in which it is expressed or worded may rise
to negative feelings.

Summative Evaluation:
1. Which model best reflects the communication between/among members of your
family?
2. How can you make the communication in your family even better? Explain
substantially.

Reference:
Caudilla, J. & Cansancio, J. (2019). Purposive Communication. Books Atpb. Publishing
Corp: Mandaluyong City, Philippines.