GCOM 103 Final Study Guide
Study Guide for GCOM Final Exam
Fall 2013
Fundamentals of Communication
Chapter 1: Competent Communication
1. What are the most common myths about communication?
Communication quantity equals communication quality
Communication is a cure-all
Communicating is common sense 2. Explain the differences between the three models of communication: linear, interactive, and transactional.
Linear: 1 channel, sender and receiver
Interactive: 2 way process, multiple channels, giving and receiving feedback
Transactional: Each is a sender and receiver, not just a sender or receiver. Simultaneous feedback, one large channel with content/relationship.
3. Define the basic communication elements contained in the communication models (channel, sender, receiver, message, encode, decode, context, fields of experience, noise, and feedback)
Channel: medium through which the message travels, such as oral or written
Sender: initiator and encoder
Receiver: decoder of message
Message: stimulus that produces meaning
Encode: to convert message into code
Decode: to interpret the coded message
Context: what is said and done
Fields of experience: our cultural backgrounds, ethnicity, geographic location, extent of travel, and general personal experiences accumulated over the course of a lifetime
Noise: interference with effective transmission and reception of a message
Feedback: the receiver’s verbal and nonverbal responses to a message 4. Explain the two aspects of every message: Content and relationship.
The content aspect refers to what is actually said and done while the relationship aspect refers to how that message defines or redefines the association between individuals. 5. How do constructive versus destructive communication climates influence relationships?
Constructive climates – openness, a willingness to communicate and a pattern of supportiveness, a willingness to communicate and have a pattern of supportiveness, a confirmation of the
Fall 2013
Fundamentals of Communication
Chapter 1: Competent Communication
1. What are the most common myths about communication?
Communication quantity equals communication quality
Communication is a cure-all
Communicating is common sense 2. Explain the differences between the three models of communication: linear, interactive, and transactional.
Linear: 1 channel, sender and receiver
Interactive: 2 way process, multiple channels, giving and receiving feedback
Transactional: Each is a sender and receiver, not just a sender or receiver. Simultaneous feedback, one large channel with content/relationship.
3. Define the basic communication elements contained in the communication models (channel, sender, receiver, message, encode, decode, context, fields of experience, noise, and feedback)
Channel: medium through which the message travels, such as oral or written
Sender: initiator and encoder
Receiver: decoder of message
Message: stimulus that produces meaning
Encode: to convert message into code
Decode: to interpret the coded message
Context: what is said and done
Fields of experience: our cultural backgrounds, ethnicity, geographic location, extent of travel, and general personal experiences accumulated over the course of a lifetime
Noise: interference with effective transmission and reception of a message
Feedback: the receiver’s verbal and nonverbal responses to a message 4. Explain the two aspects of every message: Content and relationship.
The content aspect refers to what is actually said and done while the relationship aspect refers to how that message defines or redefines the association between individuals. 5. How do constructive versus destructive communication climates influence relationships?
Constructive climates – openness, a willingness to communicate and a pattern of supportiveness, a willingness to communicate and have a pattern of supportiveness, a confirmation of the