Communication - Definition, Fundamentals, Models, Importance, and Myths

Running head: COMMUNICATION
Communication
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COMMUNICATION1
1. According to Communication: Principles for a Lifetime (2013), what is the definition
of communication? What are the fundamentals of communication? What does
communication mean to you personally? Provide an example.
As per Communication: Principles for a Lifetime (2013), the definition of communication
is- the process in which one acts on information. Communication can be everything. It is a
form in which one express oneself to others in verbal or non-verbal context. It is fundamental
in the manner in which people guide their interpersonal relationships. For instance, if a
married couple stops talking or feeling each other, their relationship is likely to end very
soon. Similarly, it is important to the businesses and governments and if there is any
breakdown in the process of communication, things can turn into wrong. For example, in case
of political communication, if the involved parties are unwilling to communicate effectively
and talk and discuss about their idea and thoughts, it is likely that the ultimate decision over
the issue would be poor. Hence, it is important to ensure that all the lines of communication
are open to ensure the survival of long-term relationship, be it personal or professional.
2. Describe the differences between linear, interactional, and transactional communication.
Linear, interactional and transactional are the three models of communication that are
used for explaining the process of human communication. The linear model comprise of the
sender encoding a message that is to be sent through a channel to the receiver in presence of
noise. It is a “one-way communication that does not display the feedback element that
indicate continuous exchange of information (Ganah & John, 2015). On the other hand, the
interactional model of communication, which is although similar to the linear model, is said
to be a bit more complex and technical model, that is equal to two different linear models
from the opposite directions that are stacked together. In this model, the sender sends a
message to the receiver through a channel and the receiver then becomes sender and channels
a message to the real sender. It has also added feedback and here communication is not one-

COMMUNICATION2
way process, rather, is a two-way process. Lastly, transactional communication model does
not indicate any sender or receiver. Instead, it labels interlocutors as the communicators-
either A or B. It represents face-to-face communication and here, communicators could
simultaneously be the sender and receiver, both, as in a negotiating manner.
3. Why is communication critical to developing self-concept? Provide an example of
how communication has helped you to develop your self-concept.
It is to note that self-concept refers to the beliefs, values and attitudes of an individual.
The individuals who are aware of themselves reflect a very confident personality and at the
same time, are seen as a good communicators. Human beings cannot live in isolation and
each and every one has the right of speaking out their view-points. Human beings usually
think of themselves and what others think of them by means of making interactions. No one
can form their own conceptions unless it is compared to any other person and this is why
human beings are often referred to as social animals. Communication is important for
developing self-concept as of the fact that it allows an individual for creating the premise for
the foundation to be expound and explored upon throughout the passage of life (Seobuk-gu,
2014). One of the examples to showcase how communication has helped in developing self-
concept is to see how effectively people work with other people are their workplaces who
belong from different walks of life. People often learns from the mistake of others and
through trial and errors. In this way, communication help in developing self-concept.
Myth or Reality?
1. You communicate only when you consciously and deliberately choose to
communicate.
Myth or Reality