Purposive Communication | Lesson 1: Nature, Process, and Basic Elements of Communication

Summary

The lesson introduces communication as an everyday but complex process. The word comes from the Latin communicare, meaning “to share.” Communication involves making meaning, exchanging information, and sharing ideas. It is important in both personal life and business, where it can help resolve conflicts, build relationships, improve productivity, and spark ideas.

Communication process and elements

The instructor describes communication as a two-way, ongoing process:

1. Sender develops an idea or concept.
2. Message is the idea shaped into something to communicate.
3. Channel carries the message.
4. Receiver receives and interprets it.
5. Feedback is the receiver’s response. That response becomes a new message, so the participants exchange sender and receiver roles.

Other elements that affect communication include:

• Noise: Anything that interferes with the message or prevents communication from flowing effectively.
• Context: The situation in which communication takes place.
• Environment: The setting or surroundings where communication occurs.

Four types of noise

• Physical noise: Distractions in the surroundings, such as someone shouting or a lawnmower operating outside a classroom.
• Semantic noise: Confusion caused by unclear, incomplete, or differently interpreted words or messages. The instructor recommends making messages clear, concise, and correct.
• Psychological noise: Thoughts or emotional concerns—such as stress, depression, or personal problems—that make communication difficult. The instructor advises addressing mental well-being.
• Physiological noise: Physical conditions, such as hunger or an injury, that distract someone from communicating. The instructor suggests attending to physical needs first.

Communication channels

The lesson describes five communication channels. One term is unclear in the auto-generated subtitles; the list appears to be visual, auditory, olfactory, oral, and tactile.

Speaker and examples

The video’s instructor, referred to as the “coach,” presents the lesson. The short exchanges in the examples are illustrative and do not introduce additional identified speakers.