Communication process › What it is, Elements, How it works

 

Communication process

What is the communication process?

The communication process is the set of actions that are put into practice to transmit, effectively and efficiently, a message between one or more individuals.

It arises from the need to communicate and exchange information, opinion or feeling successfully. Therefore, your goal is to communicate something that others can understand.

The communication process begins when the sender is clear about the idea he wants to communicate, formulates the message and sends it through a channel (voice, written message, body language, etc.). The message is then received and decoded by the receiver, who can then reply and exchange his opinion.

For example, when we make a call, the sender and the receiver exchange direct messages, through a telephone connection that serves as a channel for communication.

The communicative process is characterized by being dynamic and continuous. Likewise, it uses a series of elements so that it can occur such as the sender, the message, the channel and the receiver.

Elements of the communication process

For the communication process to develop correctly and be effective, it uses the following elements:

1. Issuer:  is the individual who initiates the communication process, encodes and sends a message to another person.
2. Receiver: he  is the one who receives and decodes the message he receives from the sender.
3. Code:  are the signs or symbols used by the sender to create the message, and which are known to the receiver for their interpretation or decoding. For example, a language, a sign language, a symbol system, etc.
4. Message: it  is the information or content that the sender is going to share with the receiver.
5. Communication channel: it  is the physical medium used by the sender to send the message. For example, the air in oral communication, digital media, paper, a mobile phone, etc.
6. Noise:  are the external means or obstacles that can affect the emission and / or reception of the message. For example, internet service failure, a distraction, loud music, etc.
7. Feedback or  feedback : it  is the response that the receiver sends to the sender and vice versa. This guarantees the effectiveness of the communication process.

How the communication process works

The communication process meets the following stages:

1. Intention to communicate:  in this first step, the sender must have the intention of communicating something to another person. For example, Julia has an important message to share with her friend Luisa.
2. Coding of the message:  the sender develops and prepares the content of his message according to the communication to be used (written, oral, visual, non-verbal), and that the receiver dominates. For example, Julia is going to send a message through written communication.
3. Selection of the communication channel: this  is the step where the sender selects the channel that he considers most appropriate, depending on the circumstance, to send the message. It can be through the Internet, a letter, a telephone, etc.
4. Transmission of the message:  at this stage, the process will depend on the selected channel, such as a text message, a phone call or video call, an email, among others. For example, Julia selected text messaging through her mobile phone.
5. Message reception:  is when the receiver receives the message. It can be receiving a letter in your hands, notification of a text message, etc. It is the first approach of the receiver with the message before decoding it. For example, when Luisa hears the notification that she has received a text message on her mobile phone.
6. Decoding of the message:  the receiver decodes and interprets the received message, which generates its understanding. At this stage, the communication process will be successful if the receiver understands the received message. For example, Luisa received and read the text message that Julia sent her.
7. Receiver's response:  finally, the receiver will share his answer with the sender of the message, giving rise to feedback and exchange of messages between the participants of the two-way communication process. For example, Luisa gives a reply to Julia's message. If the communication is unidirectional, the sender will not receive a response from the receiver.

Next, we present step by step different examples of how the communication process works in various contexts and situations:

Example of the communication process in a remote work meeting

1. Intention to communicate:  the manager (issuer) of a company has to communicate to the other employees (receivers) the new safety rules implemented in the work facilities.
2. Coding of the message:  the sender prepares the content using oral language as the message code, in a language common to the participants.
3. Communication channel selection:  the sender selected the Internet connection as the communication channel.
4. Message transmission:  the message will be transmitted through a video call.
5. Message reception:  the message will be received by all participants (receivers) once they are connected in the video call at the scheduled time.
6. Decoding the message:  the receivers decode and interpret the received message, and understand its content and meaning.
7. Receiver's response:  finally, the receivers will share their opinions, giving rise to feedback and exchange of messages between the participants of the communication process. In this way, the communication process was effective and efficient.

Example of the communication process in sending email

1. Intention to communicate:  a customer (broadcaster) of an international TV service intends to make a complaint after having problems with the television service.
2. Coding of the message:  the sender prepares the content using written language as the message code, in a language that is not common with the receiver.
3. Communication channel selection:  the sender selected the Internet connection as the communication channel.
4. Transmission of the message:  the message will be transmitted via email.
5. Receiving the message:  the message is received by the receiver through the e-mail of the international TV service company.
6. Decoding the message:  the recipient opens the email, but cannot decode or interpret the message because it is in a language that they do not speak, therefore, they do not understand its content.
7. Receiver response:  the receiver cannot issue a response to the sender until the message is decoded. In this case, the communication process was not successful.

Example of the communication process in a non-verbal communication

1. Intention to communicate:  a dog (sender) begins to bark and runs towards the kitchen to get the attention of his person in charge (receiver), so that he can serve him food in his container.
2. Message encoding:  the dog (sender) uses his barking as the message code, even if it is not common with the receiver.
3. Selection of the communication channel:  the transmitter uses the air as a communication channel through which the sound waves expand and travel with their barking.
4. Message transmission:  the message will be transmitted through constant barking.
5. Message reception:  the message is received by the receiver through sound.
6. Decoding the message:  the receiver hears the barking and, although he cannot decode the message as such, he can interpret the intention of the barking when he sees the dog (sender) running to his empty food bowl.
7. Receiver Response:  Receiver serves food on his pet's plate. In this case, the communication process was successful.

Example of the communication process in a phone call

1. Intention to communicate:  Andrés (sender) intends to call his brother Eduardo (receiver) to greet him.
2. Coding of the message:  the sender prepares the content of his message using oral language, in a common language among the participants. Andrés's message: "Hello, how are you?"
3. Communication channel selection:  the sender selected the mobile telephone network as the communication channel.
4. Transmission of the message:  the message will be transmitted through a voice call. Message reception: the message is received by the receiver through the telephone call.
5. Receiving the message:  Eduardo (receiver) receives a phone call on his mobile phone.
6. Decoding the message:  Eduardo (receiver) answers the phone call, listens to the message and decodes it.
7. Receiver Response:  Receiver responds “I'm fine. How have you been?". There was a response to the initial message which, in turn, is answered, “Very good. Leaving class". In this case, the communication process went smoothly, there was communicative feedback and both participants acted as sender and receiver.

Update date: 09 February 2021.

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