Introduction to

Communication and
Interpersonal
Communication

INTRODUCTION TO
COMMUNICATION
Communication is sharing of
information, attitudes, values and skills
through verbal and non-verbal means
in the hope of achieving common
understanding.

How Can Communication

Be Achieved?

Two basic models explain how

communication can be achieved

Premised on relationship between

people communicating

While models seem very different they

complement
one another over time
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Types of Communication
How does information get to people?
Mass Communication

Group Communication

Interpersonal Communication

Intrapersonal
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Linear Model

Unequal power knowledgeable Vs ignorant

Goes through well defined stages sender

originates, designs, implements and evaluates

The receiver is perceived as passive and empty

as well as ready

SENDER

MESSSAGE
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CHANNEL

RECEIVER

FEEDBACK

CONVERGENCE MODEL

Equal partners in the transaction

Give and take transaction sharing
Aims at increasing partners knowledge

COMMON KNOWLEDGE
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Interpersonal
Communication
Defined as communication between two
people in one anothers physical and
auditory presence.
It allows open sharing of feelings and
facts in an environment of trust.

Interpersonal
Communication Skills

Tracking content
paraphrasing
summarising

Tracking feelings
reflecting feelings
encouraging to talk

Interpersonal
Communication Skills Cont.

Questioning
closed ended questions
open ended questions
probing
Listening - we listen to learn hence we
should learn to listen
active listening

Interpersonal
Communication Skills Cont.

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Empathy
Ability to give precise and factual
information
Respecting the values of the other
person
Observation for non-verbal cues
often this gives more accurate
information than words

Barriers to
Communication

Various ways of looking at them

Barriers by stages of communication

Sender, message, channel, receiver and

environment
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Sender Barriers
Knowledge, attitudes, values, skills
Perception or receiver
Perception of messages
Skills in encoding and choosing
appropriate channel
Experience

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Message Barriers

Diction (choice and arrangements of

words)

Complexity

Consistence with what is known

schemata
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Channel Barriers

Complexity

Availability and accessibility

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Environment Barriers

Place

Time

Noise both internal and external

disturbances
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Receiver Barriers

Knowledge, attitudes, values, skills

Perception or sender

Perception of messages

Skills in decoding

Experience
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Communication Vs
Behaviour Change

Knowledge alone cannot lead to behaviour

change

Knowledge triggers off personal risk

assessment

Communication helps clarify issues, concerns

and fears

The better the communication, the better the

chances of affecting behaviour change
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GOOD
COMMUNICATORS DO
NOT IMPOSE THEIR
VALUES ON OTHERS
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How Well Do We
Communicate?

Enhancing communication entails:

Showing you care

Giving correct information

LISTENING

Allowing
choice
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summary

Good communication is planned for

Communication is based on relationships
Communicating is about sharing meaning

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