PCM Pre Lecture Quiz 1 Reviewer

PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION
CHAPTER 1 – FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNICATION (VERDERBER ET. AL., 2017)

PRE-LECTURE QUIZ REVIEWER
I. THE NATURE OF COMMUNICATION
 Communication – a complex process through which we express, interpret, and coordinate

messages with others. We communicate to:
- Create shared meaning

- Meet social goals
- Manage personal identity
- Carry out our relationships
At its core, communication is about messages.
 Messages – verbal utterances, visual images, and nonverbal behaviors used to convey
thoughts and feelings.
a) Encoding – creating messages

b) Decoding – interpreting messages
c) Feedback – reply to the original message which indicates how the original
message was interpreted
II. CANNED PLANS AND SCRIPTS
 Canned Plan – a “mental library” of scripts used to create messages for what worked with
others in the past.
 Script – an actual text of what to say or do in a specific situation.
 Canned plans and scripts can be used for:
- Greeting people
- Making small talk
- Giving advice
- Complimenting/criticizing someone
- Persuading others
- Etc.
III. COMMUNICATION CONTEXT
 Communication Context – made up of the physical, social, historical,

psychological, and cultural situations that surround a communication event.
a) Physical Situation – includes the location, environmental conditions

(temperature, lighting, noise level), and physical proximity/distance of the
participants to each other. It can also be virtual (through social media).
- Social presence is the term used for when we create a sense of

virtually “being there” with the person we are communicating with.
This only works with virtual methods that involve the participants
seeing each other (via video call, etc.)
- E-mails and messages do not work with social presence because the
participants are only exchanging words/written messages, but cannot
see each other’s expressions and therefore understand their intentions
– meaning that it can possibly be misinterpreted or misunderstood.
b) Social Situation – the nature of the relationship that already exists

between the participants; the better you know someone and the better
relationship you have with them, the more likely you are to accurately
interpret or understand their message, and give them the benefit of the
doubt if what they are saying seems or sounds negative.
c) Historical Situation – the background provided by previous

communication between the participants. For example: if you text a
classmate to meet up with them and do a project, you would ask them to
bring the materials. Once you meet, you would ask them “Did you bring
what we need?” Any other person listening to the conversation wouldn’t
have any idea/context as to “what we need” might be referring to – but
you and your classmate both do.
d) Psychological Situation – the moods and feelings of each person which

may affect how they communicate. For example: if someone who is
usually joyful or happy is feeling stressed, they might communicate with
you in an unusually irritated (or generally less joyful) tone of voice.
e) Cultural Situation – the beliefs, values, orientations, underlying

assumptions, and rituals that belong to a specific culture. For example:
when two people from different cultures interact, they might
misunderstand each other because they have different beliefs, values, etc.
IV. COMMUNICATION SETTINGS
 Intrapersonal Communication – occurs in our minds when we are talking to

ourselves. For example: when you remind yourself about a household chore or
assignment that you have to do later, or when you silently think about what you
want to have for lunch today.
 Interpersonal Communication – informal interaction between two people who

have a pre-existing relationship with each other. For example: Talking to a friend
between classes, calling your mom and talking over the phone, or chatting online
with your significant other.
 Small-group Communication – involves 3 to 20 people who come together to

communicate with one another. Examples include a family, a group of friends, a
group of classmates talking about a performance task.
 Public Communication – delivered to more than 20 people. Examples include

public speeches, presentations, forums, etc. This can be experienced face-to-face
or through a technological channel like radio, television or social media.
 Mass Communication – delivered by individuals and entities to large segments

of the population at the same time using mass media. Examples include
newspaper ads, television commercials, etc.
V. THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS
 Communication Process – a complex set of three different, related activities that

result in shared meaning.
 Shared Meaning – occurs when the receiver’s interpretation/understanding of the

message is the same as the sender’s intended meaning.
 Message Production – encoding/creating a message
 Message Interpretation – decoding/interpreting a message
 Interaction Coordination – refers to the behavioral adjustments each participant

makes to create shared meaning.
VI. CHANNELS
 Channels – refers to the path that the message moves through, as well as the way
in which it is delivered.
 Media Richness – refers to how much and what kinds of information can be sent
 Synchronicity – the extent to which a channel allows for immediate feedback –

in simpler words, it refers to how fast a specific channel can let a participant
reply.
a) Synchronous Channels – replies are sent in real time/immediately; also

lets the speaker clarify any misunderstandings as soon as possible. Best
used for delivering complicated or difficult information.
b) Asynchronous Channels – replies have lag time or take longer to

prepare/compose. Best used for delivering simpler and emotionally neutral
messages.
VII. INTERFERENCE/NOISE
 Interference/Noise – any stimulus that interrupts the process of achieving shared

meaning. Can be physical or psychological.
a) Physical Noise – sights or sounds that might distract participants from the
message. Examples include cell phones ringing, flashing lights,
loud/surprising noises, etc.
b) Psychological Noise – thoughts and feelings that might take our attention
away from the message being delivered to us. Examples include being
stressed or thinking about unfinished tasks while talking to someone, etc.
VIII. MODEL OF THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS
 [Please refer to the separate document discussing the three models of

communication in detail]
IX. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMUNICATION
 Communication has purpose – whenever we communicate, there’s always a

reason/purpose for why we are doing it, whether serious or trivial. Specifically:
a) To develop our sense of self

b) To meet our social needs
c) To develop and maintain relationships
d) To exchange information
e) To influence others
 Communication is continuous – we are always sending/interpreting messages.

As long as there is always another person interpreting or creating meaning from
our verbal/nonverbal words or actions, communication is being made.
 Communication is irreversible – once we say something, we cannot go back in

time to erase what we have said. The damage or effects of our communication can
possibly be repaired, but it will not change the fact that what has been said, has
already been said. The same applies for online communication.
 Communication is situated – it occurs within a specific setting which affects

how messages are produced, interpreted, and coordinated. For example, we might
swear or use curse words when talking with friends or peers, but never when we
are talking to elderly family members or figures of authority.
 Communication is indexical – the way that we communicate with a person can

also be used as an index to measure the emotional “temperature” of our
relationship with them. Our tone and wording can be used to indicate feelings of
trust/mistrust, domination/submission, and intimacy/distance.
X. COMMUNICATION MESSAGES VARY IN CONSCIOUS THOUGHT
 Our messages can:
- Occur spontaneously/without thought (suddenly)

- Be scripted (canned plans)
- Be constructed (carefully written/composed messages used for
serious or sensitive topics)
XI. COMMUNICATION IS GUIDED BY CULTURAL NORMS
 We must be mindful of our communication behavior when we interact with

people from other cultural backgrounds – what means one thing to us may
mean something else to them. We must be careful to avoid unintentionally
sounding insensitive or disrespectful.
XII. COMMUNICATION ETHICS
 Ethics – moral principles held by a person, group, or society that serve to

differentiate right and wrong. In simpler words, it refers to the moral “do’s” and
“don’ts” of communication.
a) Ethical communicators are honest – they always tell the truth and do not
attempt to deceive/trick others.
b) Ethical communicators act with integrity – what they say is consistent with
what they do; they are not hypocrites.
c) Ethical communicators behave fairly – they do not allow any bias to

influence their critical thinking or decision making.
d) Ethical communicators show respect – this refers to respecting others, their

perspectives, opinions, rights, feelings, and their differences from us.
e) Ethical communicators are responsible – they know the power of words

and are responsible to avoid intentionally/unintentionally hurting people’s
feelings or damaging their reputation (i.e. through gossip, slander, bullying,
etc.)
XIII. “BRIGHT SIDE” AND “DARK SIDE” MESSAGES
a) Bright side messages – honest and respectful; maintains a positive

relationship
b) Hard dark side messages – honest but disrespectful; can possibly hurt one’s
feelings and damage a relationship
c) Easy dark side messages – dishonest but respectful; will not hurt one’s
feelings and will not damage the relationship
d) Evil dark side messages – disrespectful; will hurt one’s feelings and will
damage the relationship
XIV. COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE

 Communication Competence – the impression that communicative behavior is
appropriate and effective in a given situation;
- Communication is effective when it achieves its goals

- Communication is appropriate when it follows what is expected in a
situation (i.e. sensitivity, respect, etc.)
 Credibility – the perception of a speaker’s knowledge, trustworthiness, and

warmth.
 Social Ease – managing communication apprehension to avoid feeling nervous or

anxious.
XV. COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION
 Communication Apprehension (CA) – the fear or anxiety associated with

communication. Its four types are:
a) Trait like CA – People who feel anxious in most speaking situations.
b) Audience-based CA – People who only feel anxious when communicating

with a certain audience.
c) Situational CA – People who feel anxious during specific events/encounters

(i.e. job interview)
d) Context-based CA – People who feel anxious in specific contexts (i.e.

whenever they are speaking to a large group of people)
XVI. COMMUNICATION IMPROVEMENT PLAN
 Identify the problem.
 State your specific goal.
 Outline your steps/procedure for reaching that goal.
 Create a method to measure your progress towards achieving that goal.

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PURPOSIVE COMMUNICATION

CHAPTER 1 – FOUNDATIONS OF COMMUNICATION (VERDERBER ET. AL., 2017)

I. THE NATURE OF COMMUNICATION

 Communication – a complex process through which we express, interpret, and coordinate

- Create shared meaning

At its core, communication is about messages.

a) Encoding – creating messages

II. CANNED PLANS AND SCRIPTS

 Script – an actual text of what to say or do in a specific situation.

 Canned plans and scripts can be used for:

 Communication Context – made up of the physical, social, historical,

a) Physical Situation – includes the location, environmental conditions

- Social presence is the term used for when we create a sense of

b) Social Situation – the nature of the relationship that already exists

c) Historical Situation – the background provided by previous

d) Psychological Situation – the moods and feelings of each person which

e) Cultural Situation – the beliefs, values, orientations, underlying

 Intrapersonal Communication – occurs in our minds when we are talking to

 Interpersonal Communication – informal interaction between two people who

 Small-group Communication – involves 3 to 20 people who come together to

 Public Communication – delivered to more than 20 people. Examples include

 Mass Communication – delivered by individuals and entities to large segments

V. THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS

 Communication Process – a complex set of three different, related activities that

 Shared Meaning – occurs when the receiver’s interpretation/understanding of the

 Message Production – encoding/creating a message

 Message Interpretation – decoding/interpreting a message

 Interaction Coordination – refers to the behavioral adjustments each participant

 Synchronicity – the extent to which a channel allows for immediate feedback –

a) Synchronous Channels – replies are sent in real time/immediately; also

b) Asynchronous Channels – replies have lag time or take longer to

 Interference/Noise – any stimulus that interrupts the process of achieving shared

VIII. MODEL OF THE COMMUNICATION PROCESS

 [Please refer to the separate document discussing the three models of

IX. CHARACTERISTICS OF COMMUNICATION

 Communication has purpose – whenever we communicate, there’s always a

a) To develop our sense of self

 Communication is continuous – we are always sending/interpreting messages.

 Communication is irreversible – once we say something, we cannot go back in

 Communication is situated – it occurs within a specific setting which affects

 Communication is indexical – the way that we communicate with a person can

X. COMMUNICATION MESSAGES VARY IN CONSCIOUS THOUGHT

 Our messages can:

- Occur spontaneously/without thought (suddenly)

XI. COMMUNICATION IS GUIDED BY CULTURAL NORMS

 We must be mindful of our communication behavior when we interact with

XII. COMMUNICATION ETHICS

 Ethics – moral principles held by a person, group, or society that serve to

c) Ethical communicators behave fairly – they do not allow any bias to

d) Ethical communicators show respect – this refers to respecting others, their

e) Ethical communicators are responsible – they know the power of words

XIII. “BRIGHT SIDE” AND “DARK SIDE” MESSAGES

a) Bright side messages – honest and respectful; maintains a positive

XIV. COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE

- Communication is effective when it achieves its goals

 Credibility – the perception of a speaker’s knowledge, trustworthiness, and

 Social Ease – managing communication apprehension to avoid feeling nervous or

XV. COMMUNICATION APPREHENSION

 Communication Apprehension (CA) – the fear or anxiety associated with