1.1 Overview of communication
Communication is an indispensable tool and underpins all areas of human interaction. But it is a process that is complex. The extent of its complexity can be seen in the variety of ways in which it can be defined. Below are just a few attempts at a definition of communication.
'Communication is any behaviour, verbal, nonverbal or graphic that is perceived by another.' (Dwyer 2005, p.4)
'[Communication is] the use of verbal and non-verbal communication between people trying to create shared meaning.' (Yoder, Hugenberg & Wallace 1996)
'The management of messages for the purpose of creating shared meaning.' (Frey, Botan, Friedman & Kreps 1991)
'The transmission and reception of information.' (Shannon & Weaver in Yoder, Hugenberg & Wallace 1996)
The variety of definitions even in this limited sample reflects the very nature of communication. It involves a web of activities that differ in different situations. In the workplace, for example, you would probably communicate differently when talking formally to customers as compared to informally with a peer. How you perceive the situation will often determine your communication behaviour.
Watzlawick, Beavan and Jackson (1967) approached a definition of communication by proposing a series of axioms (principles or rules).
Axiom 1: One cannot not communicate.
We communicate all the time. Even when we are asleep we are communicating. (For example, we are communicating that we are not awake, or we might dream.)Axiom 2: Human beings communicate both digitally and analogically.
In broad terms, this means we communicate both verbally and non-verbally.Axiom 3: Communication has both a content and relationship component.
Communication involves the content of the message (that is, what is said) and the relationship between the communicators (that is, how the message is said).Axiom 4: The nature of the relationship depends on how the parties punctuate the communication sequence.
We may 'punctuate' a communication process differently by perceiving different beginning points in the communication process. For example, if two people are quarrelling over who does the housework, one person may see the quarrel as beginning today (that is, who is to do the house work today). The other may see the quarrel as dating back several months (how much housework has each been doing over a period of time) and as a result may be more upset in the communication interaction. As each has punctuated the communication sequence differently, each will be communicating from different perceptions of time and may not understand where the other person is coming from. As most of us will already have experienced, this is a potentially explosive situation!Axiom 5: All communication is either symmetrical or complementary.
Symmetrical communication means that each party has the same power as the other, for example two peers. On the other hand, complementary communication occurs where each party has a different power base, for example, a manager and a subordinate.Each relationship will most probably lead to a different communication process: in these examples, more informal or formal respectively.
These axioms aim to highlight the underlying nature of communication and the need to explore the complexities so that communication is not taken for granted.
Activity 1a
1. Compare and contrast the various definitions of communication and any others you may have read. How would you define communication?
2. Observe communication around you, for example, at work, when you are shopping, at home. Begin to think about the skills and mechanics underlying the communication process.
3. Read through Reading 1.1. In what ways does visual communication enhance written communication?
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