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Concepts & Problems of Communication

This document discusses various concepts and problems that can arise in communication. It covers cultural differences, individual perspectives, conventions of meaning including symbols and acronyms, problems that can occur with abstract concepts like denotations and connotations. It also discusses how perceptions of reality can differ between individuals and issues like slanted statements, inferring, and how values, attitudes and opinions can impact how a message is received. Problems that may occur with communication are explored relating to conventions of meaning, perceptions of reality, and influencing factors on opinions.

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57 views14 pages

Concepts & Problems of Communication

This document discusses various concepts and problems that can arise in communication. It covers cultural differences, individual perspectives, conventions of meaning including symbols and acronyms, problems that can occur with abstract concepts like denotations and connotations. It also discusses how perceptions of reality can differ between individuals and issues like slanted statements, inferring, and how values, attitudes and opinions can impact how a message is received. Problems that may occur with communication are explored relating to conventions of meaning, perceptions of reality, and influencing factors on opinions.

Uploaded by

kiran
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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CONCEPTS & PROBLEMS OF

COMMUNICATION
Cultural Differences
Mind as a Unique Filter
Conventions of Meaning
Synonymy: Protect and save
Symbols and their Meaning: Arbitrariness
Acronyms: WMD: Weapons of Mass Destruction/
World Mother’s Day
Communication Problems in
Conventions of Meaning
Examples of Mis-communicated Instruction

Bimonthly
To table a proposal
HOW TO AVOID MISCOMMUNICATION
REACTIONS TO DENOTATIONS,
CONNOTATIONS, AND EUPHEMISMS
DENOTATIONS
A denotation is usually the dictionary definition of a
word that does not indicate any positive or negative
qualities.
WORDS
MEAN INTEND TO CONVEY,
AVERAGE, CRUEL
OBJECTIVE AIM, SHORT QUESTIONS,
GENERAL OPINION
CONNOTATIONS
• A connotation is an implication of a word or a
suggestion separate from the usual definition.
• House: Mansion, villa, home, cottage, firetrap, shack.
• Student: Bookworm, nerd, dropout, scholar,
researcher.
• Efficient, gentle, prompt (Positive connotations)
• Lazy, cowardly, delinquent (Negative connotations)
• Cheap product and cheap price
• The term “bad” in colloquial means its opposite.
• Speed, grass, coke
EUPHEMISM
• A euphemism is a mild or pleasant expression used
instead of an offensive or unpleasant one.
• Old people: Senior citizens
• Dead people: Loved ones
• Mentally abnormal: Special (School for Special
Children)
• Tax collector: Revenue agent
• Barber: Hairstylist
• Graveyard: Memorial park
• Poor countries: Developing countries
Perceptions of Reality
Unique reality of each individual
Different sensory perceptions
Communication Problems in
Perceptions of Reality
Abstracting: When we select some facts and omit
others, we are abstracting
The economic situation of Pakistan in 2006 was not
good, but now it is better.
 
Necessary Desirable Abstracts
• Slanted Statements: Biased or prejudiced statements in
reporting
•  
• A reported news reporter would not write: “A small
crowd of retards came to hear the Governor’s plan for
1997 yesterday noon in that rundown hotel that
disfigures Hong Kong central.”
•  
• Instead the write-up might state: “Between 250 and 350
people heard an address yesterday noon by Governor
Patton in the auditorium at the Conrad Hotel at
Pacific Palace.”
• Inferring: Conclusions drawn from evidence or
premises
• Necessary, Desirable Inferences
• When we drop a letter in the mailbox, we infer that it
will be delivered to our intended reader.
• When we land at a foreign airport, we assume we will
be treated hospitably.
• When we enter an elevator in our building, we hope it
will take us to the desired floor.
• Risks of Inferences
Values, Attitudes, and
Opinions
A receiver’s attitude toward a message can determine
whether it is accepted, rejected, distorted, or avoided.
Communication Problems
Involving Values, Attitudes, and
Opinions
Favorable or Unfavorable Information
Inadequate or Incorrect Information
Closed Minds
Sender’s Credibility
Other Circumstances Affecting Attitudes,
Opinions, and Responses

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