Communication – UGC NET Paper I – Notes

Introduction to Communication

In a classroom, the contents are delivered to the learners through the process of communication. The word ‘communication’ derives from the Latin word ‘communicare,” which means ‘to share,’ emphasizing the notion of making things common. As we are living in a complicated world, we need to take a ‘diverse’ perspective of communication. Oxford University Press defines communication in precise, comprehensive, and academically oriented manner. They emphasize the exchange of information, ideas, or feelings between people through speaking, writing, or using some other medium.

Little’s definitions are known for being concise and accessible, for them communication is defined as the act of conveying information and ideas between individuals, whether through verbal, written, or non-verbal means.

The ‘technical definition’ of communication covers the transmission and reception of signals or messages through a medium, such as spoken words, written text, or visual images to share the information. Psychological definition focus on the use of mutually understood signs, symbols, and semiotic rules. Digital communication focus on digital formats such as email, and social media tools. Interpersonal communication covers two or more people. Business definitions include company, customers, stakeholders, or the public. Above all, human beings are social animals, they have diverse set of dynamic needs. So is the diversity in our communications.

At its highest level, communication involves building strong, trusting relationships with individuals whose perspectives differ significantly from our own. We have an innate impulse to communicate with each other for the betterment of society and personal development.

The Basic Aspects of Communication: They are as follows.

1. Prioritizing our Senses in Communication: Communication goes beyond words; it involves our bodily gestures, facial expressions, and eye contact. Listening is equally vital in this world, as everyone desires to be heard, often seeking feedback.

2. Signs and Symbols in Communication: Communication is a complex system that utilizes signs and symbols.

Signs: A ‘sign’ is an object or figure representing a specific reality, such as the red color signaling ‘stop’ in traffic. On the other hand, a ‘symbol’ conveys an abstract idea linked to societal conventions. For example, a red rose symbolizes love and affection. Symbols: as Vygotsky posited, are acquired in social contexts, internalized, and used to share meaning with others. They serve as cognitive tools for constructing our understanding of the world. The study of word relationships is known as ‘syntactics.’

3. Effective Communication: Feedback is an essential element of effective communication as we always seek clarity. Effective communication is the clear and successful exchange of information or ideas that leads to mutual understanding and desired outcomes. It relies on key elements such as active listening, empathy, non-verbal cues, timely responses, adaptability, respect, conciseness, and goal-oriented interactions.

4. Modern Age Communication: Today’s communication is marked by speed, efficiency, and the ability to transcend physical and geographical boundaries. Communication occupies 70% or more of our time spent. This prominently includes Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Instagram), Video Conferencing (Zoom, Skype, Google Meet), Mass Media, Blogging and Vlogging, Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR), Podcasting, discussed in Unit 8.

Key Features of Communication

1. Continuous and Dynamic: Communication is an ongoing, action-driven process with specific objectives.

2. All-Pervasive: Information flows in various directions within an organization, including top-down, bottom-up, diagonal, and horizontal channels.

3. Two-way Process: Effective communication includes a feedback loop to ensure understanding and acknowledgment.

4. Context and Relationship: The way a message is delivered, including content and tone, significantly influences its effectiveness, with emotions and feelings often affecting grammar.

5. Symmetry and Complementary: Communication exchanges can be based on either similarity (symmetry) or differences (complementary), depending on characteristics.

6. Common Language: Using a shared language enhances mutual understanding and communication effectiveness.

7. Meeting of Minds: Effective communication relies on the recipient comprehending the intended message.

8. Substance of the Message: A message’s significance depends on the recipient’s interest in the subject matter.

9. Gestures as Communication: Communication extends beyond words to include non-verbal elements like gestures, facial expressions, and body language.

10. Different Types of Communication: Communication can be formal or informal, verbal or non-verbal, each with its unique characteristics and contexts.

11. Always Within a Context: Communication takes place within a framework encompassing physical, social, psychological, and temporal dimensions that influence its meaning and impact.

Adjacency Pairs

An adjacency pair is a concept in the field of conversation analysis, which is a branch of sociolinguistics. We assume two turns First Turn (Initiation) and Second Turn (Response) which could be understood from the following examples:

Question and Answer: ‘What’s your name?’ ‘My name is Agam.’

Greeting and Response: ‘Hello!’ – ‘Hi, how are you?’

Request and Compliance: ‘Can you pass the salt?’ – ‘Sure, here you go’

Benefits of Communication to Society

Abraham Maslow in his 1943 paper ‘A Theory of Human Motivation’ proposed the following set of needs, which flow from lower end of needs to higher order.

1. Physiological Needs food, water, and shelter. For example, a toddler receives milk only when they cry for it.

2. Safety Needs security, stability, and freedom from fear. Financial security may be added later in life.

3. Love and Belongingness Needs emotional relationships like friendships, romantic attachments, and family.

4. Esteem Needs – self-esteem, positive feedback, confidence, competence.

5. Self-actualization Needs we want to realise our potential, this includes personal growth, self-expression.

Many of us see that the need for communication is pervasive and multifaceted, and not in the order suggested above, needs are actually pervasive and multifaceted.

1. Communication is expression of ideas, emotions, thoughts and experiences

2. Information Sharing: The exchange of facts, data, news, and insights. They help in global connectivity.

3. Social Connection: That is forming relationships, friendships, and bonds with family, friends, and colleagues.

4. Problem Solving: To discuss issues, negotiate solutions, and make decisions collaboratively.

5. Education and Learning: Being part of education process, communication imparts knowledge and motivates students to ask questions, seek clarification, and engage in discussions.

6. Personal and Professional Development: Communication helps in job interviews, career advancement, leadership, and teamwork.

7. Cultural Preservation: This means preserving and passing on cultural traditions, stories, languages, and histories from one generation to the next.

8. Entertainment and Arts: This includes music literature, film, theatre, and visual arts.

9. Economic Activities: This facilitates business transactions, marketing, advertising, and customer relations. This helps in fostering good citizenship.

10. Participation in Governance and Democracy: So that people participate in political processes.

They help in safety and emergency situations, innovation and creativity, healthcare, personal well-being.