Summary of Lecture 02: Communication Process and Roadblocks

Summary of "Lecture 02: Communication Process and Roadblocks"

This lecture from the NPTEL online certification course on Public Speaking focuses on understanding the Communication Process, its importance, functions, types, and common barriers (roadblocks) that hinder effective communication.

---

Main Ideas and Concepts

1. Communication as a Process
   • Communication is a systematic, two-way process involving the transfer of information and emotions.
   • Humans communicate using words and sentences, unlike animals who communicate mainly through stimulus-response and symbolic gestures.
   • Communication is continuous; even silence and meditation can be forms of communication.
   • Four main forms of human communication:
     • Speaking
     • Listening
     • Reading
     • Writing
2. Importance and Functions of Communication
   • Communication is vital for human existence and social interaction.
   • It helps reveal personality traits, tolerance, sympathy, and mutual dependence.
   • Functions of communication:
     • To Inform: Share facts, policies, instructions, and knowledge.
     • To Persuade: Influence beliefs and actions through clarity, belief, and stimulation.
     • To Motivate: Encourage and inspire people to take action.
     • To Entertain: Provide enjoyment and relaxation, often involving humor.
3. Models of Communication
   • Lasswell’s model: Who (sender) says What (message) in Which channel (medium) to Whom (receiver) with What effect (response).
   • Communication involves ideation, encoding, transmitting, receiving, and feedback.
4. Types of Communication
   • Verbal Communication: Use of words, either written (letters, emails, reports) or oral (speeches, conversations).
   • Non-Verbal Communication: Body language, facial expressions, gestures, silence, tone, and other cues that complement verbal communication.
   • Effective communication combines both verbal and non-verbal cues.
5. Choice of Medium and Media Richness
   • Selecting the appropriate medium is crucial for effective communication.
   • Media richness refers to the medium’s ability to convey multiple cues and provide immediate feedback.
   • Examples of media range from face-to-face (richest) to emails and reports (leaner).
   • Consider the receiver’s access and familiarity with the medium.
6. Public Speaking as a Communicative Act
   • Public Speaking is a powerful tool to inform, persuade, motivate, and entertain.
   • Example: Mark Antony’s speech in Julius Caesar demonstrates persuasive communication to influence public opinion.
   • Motivational speaking, such as sales or insurance agents’ repeated visits, shows the power of communication in changing attitudes.
7. Communication Roadblocks (Barriers)
   • Language Barriers: Use of unfamiliar languages, jargons, inappropriate formality, or unclear words.
   • Psychological Barriers: Bias, emotional states, closed-mindedness, and intrapersonal conflicts.
   • Cultural Barriers: Differences in cultural norms, values, gender roles, and use of stereotypes.
   • Physical Barriers: Noise, poor infrastructure, technical failures, and environmental distractions.
   • Attitudinal Barriers: Ego, personality conflicts, lack of confidence, resistance to criticism, and lack of mutual trust.
   • Use of offensive language, clichés, slang, euphemisms, and doublespeak can also obstruct communication.
8. Strategies to Overcome Communication Barriers
   • Know your audience well (audience awareness).
   • Encourage open and candid communication.
   • Minimize hierarchical levels to avoid message distortion.
   • Facilitate feedback through eye contact and active listening.
   • Maintain ethical responsibility and avoid assumptions.
   • Be patient, generous, and culturally sensitive.
   • Recognize that effective communication requires mutual trust and understanding.
   • Remember the quote by Bernard Shaw: “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.”

---

Detailed Bullet Points: Communication Functions and How to Achieve Them

• Inform:
  • Share clear, factual information.
  • Ensure clarity and generate interest.
  • Adapt language to the audience and occasion.
• Persuade:
  • Speaker must have a strong belief in the message.
  • Take concrete actions that demonstrate belief.
  • Stimulate others to adopt the belief.
• Motivate:
  • Inspire and encourage positive action.
  • Use repeated communication to build trust and influence.
• Entertain:
  • Engage the audience with humor and enjoyment.
  • Speaker must be genuinely interested and enjoy the activity.
  • Use humor carefully to relax and connect with the audience.

---

Communication Barriers and Remedies

• Language Barrier:
  • Use common, familiar language.
  • Avoid jargon and inappropriate formality.
• Psychological Barrier:
  • Be aware of biases and emotional states.
  • Foster open-mindedness and empathy.
• Cultural Barrier:

Category

Educational

Video