Elements of the Communication Process

In Chapter One, we learned communication is the process of creating or sharing meaning in informal conversation, group interaction, or public speaking. To understand how the process works, we described the essential elements in the process.

For the following interaction, identify the contexts, participants, channels. message, interference (noise), and feedback.

“Maria and Damien are meandering through the park, talking and drinking bottled water. Damien finishes his bottle, replaces the lid, and tosses the bottle into the bushes at the side of the path. Maria, who has been listening to Damien talk, comes to a stop, puts her hand on her hips, stares at Damien, and says angrily, ” I can’t believe what you just did! Damien blushes, averts his gaze, and mumbles, “Sorry, I’ll get it- I just wasn’t thinking.” As the tension drains from Maria’s face. she gives her head a playful toss, smiles, and says, Well, just see that it doesn’t happen again.

1. Contexts

a. Physical

b. Social

c. Historical

d. Psychological

2. Participants

3. Channels

4. Message

5. Interference (Noise)

6. Feedback