Elements of communication (what they are, concept and definition)

What are the Elements of communication?

The elements of communication are:

• Emitter.Receiver.Code.Message.Communication channel.Noise.Feedback.

The elements of communication are all the factors that intervene in the process of sending and receiving a message. Each element provides a value that, depending on the circumstance, helps to improve or distort communication.

Transmitter

The issuer is the starting point of a communication process. He is the one who issues the message.

An example of a sender is the person who makes a phone call to start a conversation with another.

See also Issuer.

Receiver

The receiver is the one who receives the message. You can receive the message and not respond, but if you do, stop being a receiver to become a sender.

An example of a receiver would be the one who receives the call and listens to the sender's message.

See also Receiver.

Code or language

The code or language is the set of signs that are available to transmit a message. The code can be transmitted verbally or non-verbally.

An example of code is the Spanish language that two people use to converse.

See also Language.

Message

The message is the content that you want to transmit from the sender to the receiver. The message is made up of a combination of system of signs or symbols that transmit a concept, idea or information that are familiar to both the sender and the receiver.

An example of a message would be the reason the sender is calling (to give a news, make an invitation, a claim, etc.).

See also Message.

Communication channel

The communication channel is the physical medium through which the message is transmitted from the sender to the receiver. Air is the most common physical means of communication, but so are the telephone, cell phone, email, voice, among others.

An example of a communication channel would be the telephones of the sender and the receiver, which allow communication between the two.

Noise

Noise is any signal that distorts the original message that the sender wants to transmit. The noise can be ambient, channel, emitter, message or receiver noise.

It is important to know how to recognize where the noise is coming from in order to reduce or eliminate it to create a clear and effective communication process.

An example of noise may be that the sender uses English words or phrases, and that the receiver does not know the language. This will create a distortion in the conversation.

See also Noise.

Feedback

Feedback is a mechanism of control of the message by the issuer.

Because the communication is circular and both the sender and the receiver are constantly changing roles, the feedback determines the effectiveness of the messages sent by the sender, who can check if the message was received and interpreted appropriately.

An example of feedback would be a question and answer exchange between sender and receiver. As their roles change continuously throughout the communication process, there is feedback.

See also Feedback.

Context

It is the situation in which the communication process is generated. It includes emotional, social, circumstantial factors, etc. and can have an influence on the exchange of ideas.

An example of context might be trying to have a phone conversation during a party. In this case, the context (the party) can, in turn, be a distortion or noise factor in the communication if it prevents the process from being carried out effectively.

See also:

• Effective communication Communication.