Communication Needs and Communication Model: Relationship with Stereotypes and Prejudices

This report discusses communication needs and the communication model along with the relationship stereotypes and prejudices have with the communication process. It also highlights the significance of communication needs, the communication model, and the impact of stereotypes and prejudices on communication.

Psychology
Name of the Student
Name of the University
Author Note

Discuss communication needs and the Communication Model along with the relationship
stereotypes and prejudices have with the communication process.
Introduction
The term communication can be defined as the process by which information is
exchanged between individuals through verbal as well as non verbal symbols, behaviours and
signs. Communication can be both verbal and nonverbal. Verbal communication is established
when individuals the emotions and information shared between individuals occurs through
spoken words. On the other hand, non-verbal communication includes facial expressions, the
tone and pitch of the voice, gestures displayed through body language (Hobbs, 2016).
Communication plays a vital role in human life. It not only facilitates the process of sharing
information as well as knowledge, but also enables people to develop effective relationships. In
this report, discussion on communication needs along with the communication model will be
performed. Not only this, relationship stereotypes as well as prejudices that are often faced
during the communication process will also be discussed in this report.
Discussion
Significance of Communication needs
Communication is considered to be one of the chief reasons behind today’s development
in human kind. One of the chief needs associated with communication is to understand the
information or an emotion that is being communicated. Lack of understanding while establishing
face to face or virtual communication often takes place while individuals from different
linguistic origin try to communicate. During such crisis, non verbal, or action based

communication is used for establishing effective communication. Another major communication
needs includes effective relationship between communicators. In our daily life, communication is
often found to get hampered due to lack of positive relationship. Lack of communication or
negative communication in the society possesses the potential to give rise to conflicts. According
to Silverstone, (2015) communication is considered to be the foundation of human relationship.
Efficient communication helps individuals to express their ideas as well as feelings.
The Communication Model
The model of communication is comprised of a sender, message and a receiver. In
sociology, the SMCR model is an eminent communication model which has been developed by
Berlo and is comprised of elements like source, message, channel as well as receiver. In order to
enhance the ability of the mentioned model to explain the complex process of communication a
good number of theories as well as models under categories like physiological, sociological ad
mechanical categories. When the SMCR model is considered as a sociological model, it is
generally governed by the process used by the society. According to Fuchs, (2016), society
influences the life of individuals and communication is no exception to this. Hence
communication is found to be influenced by our surroundings as well as the state of affairs
prevalent around us. The first step of the communication model includes formation of an idea
that a sender wishes to convey to a receiver. This step is followed by the sender who translate the
idea or thought into a tangible form of code. The code can be both verbal as well as noon verbal
and the process of translation is known as encoding (Kolomiets, 2017).
Stereotypes and prejudice have with the communication process
The term “stereotype”, in social psychology, is defined as a widely adopted thought about
a specific group of individuals. Stereotyping is considered to be associated with interpersonal

communication. The concept of prejudice is quite similar to that of stereotyping. Prejudice is
defined as a perceived opinion which is not at all based on actual experience. Both prejudice as
well as stereotyping results in negative communication between individual and this imposes a
highly adverse impact on the society. In my college life, I have experienced several situations
where an individual or a group of individuals was victim of stereotyping and prejudice. For
instance, in my school, I had a class mate X, who used to communicate with everyone but any of
our coloured classmates. He was from a British origin and he used to believe that coloured
people possess evil power and thus should always be avoided. This can be considered as an ideal
example of discrimination due to prejudice. When it comes to stereotyping, on of the major
stereotyping comment I have often gone through are misogynist comments like “Girls are weak.”
Or “Girls should dress properly.”. Like the above mentioned prejudiced thoughts, such thoughts
also demonstrate discrimination as well as hatred towards women. When it comes to stereotyping
though communication process, the stereotype content model is a psychological theory that
suggests that group stereotypes consist of two dimensions: warmth and competence. Warmth and
competence is two fundamental dimensions on the basis of which both individuals as well as
groups are assessed. Information associated about the warmth of an individual can be
manipulated. however; information about his or her competence cannot be changed. A few
examples of warm characteristics that can be used to eradicate stereotyping during
communication process include friendliness, reliability and empathy. On the other hand, some of
the major competence that possesses the potential to eradicate stereotyped communication
includes strength, skills, working intent and intelligence.

Conclusion
From the above discussion, it can be concluded that communication indeed is a highly
crucial part of human life. Effective communication possesses the potential to enhance the
bonding between individual which in turn can increase the relationship between people in the
society. Two major communication needs that are being discussed in this report include effective
understanding and relationship between people. While stereotyping and prejudices during the
communication process possess the potential to impose adverse impact on the social relationship
between individuals, it can also lead to major conflicts. Hence, it is highly crucial to educate
people about the importance of effective communication and how the same can impose several
benefits on the society. Considering the fact that effective communication is directly related to
behavioral factors, communication skills should be taught to student’s right from their early
childhood. In order to eradicate prejudices and stereotyping, both children and adult needs to
educate about the adverse effects of stereotyping and prejudices.

Reference List
Fuchs, C. (2016). Critical theory of communication as critical sociology of critique in the age of
digital capitalism: A response to Jan Løhmann Stephensen's review essay on Culture and
Economy in the Age of Social Media. Conjunctions: Transdisciplinary Journal of
Cultural Participation, 3(1).
Hobbs, M. (2016). The sociology of spin: An investigation into the uses, practices and
consequences of political communication. Journal of Sociology, 52(2), 371-386.
Kolomiets, V. P. (2017). Sociology of mass communication in society of communicative
abundance. Sociological Studies, 6(6), 3-14.
Silverstone, R. (2015). The sociology of mediation and communication. The SAGE handbook of
sociology, 188-207.