communication

Identifying Parts of the Transactional Model

Find a video clip on Youtube that demonstrates the transactional nature of interpersonal communication. This clip could be a brief scene from your favorite movie or television program so long as you make sure the content is appropriate. Explain each component that appears in the clip.

1. Be sure to copy/paste the URL in your response or insert it using the YouTube icon at the top of the discussion board.

 

2. Note the time frame that displays the elements if it is only a portion of the clip, and address each component (sender-receiver, encoding-decoding, channel, feedback, and noise) in your analysis.

3. Finally, explain who you think is the more competent communicator of the two. Your response should demonstrate your understanding of the transactional view of communication as well as the essential elements of effective interpersonal communication. 

4. You should be descriptive in your 150-250 word response. 

EXAMPLE:

The Break Up Movie (Links to an external site.)

The video used is a clip from The Break Up Movie. The entire video (2:30) was used to describe parts of the transactional model of communication. 

Source and Receiver: Vince Vaughn and Jennifer Anniston were simultaneously senders and receivers of messages in this communicative interaction. They were trying to negotiate meaning together to come to a shared understanding of what should be done before their dinner guests arrived.

Encoding and Decoding: At :11 in the video, Jennifer said, “You got 3 lemons?” She was encoding her thoughts with this question to convey that it wasn’t enough since she asked for 12. We know that Vince decoded her statement to be positive because he replied, “What my baby wants, my baby gets.” Clearly, what she intended to communicate is not what was decoded. 

Channel: The channel of communication was primarily verbal, but there was also a great deal conveyed with the gestures and use of eye contact, eye-rolling, and eye contact avoidance. 

Environment: Vince was distracted by the TV and Jennifer was influenced by the fact that the company would be soon arriving. 

Feedback: Vince responds with humor, affirmation, and avoidance to diffuse the situation, and Jennifer’s responses are a mix of pleading, shock, and sarcasm. 

 

Communication Model

Criteria

Ratings

Pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeLink to video

Provided a working link to an appropriate interpersonal communication scene and indicated the time frame (if relevant)

5 pts

Full Marks

0 pts

No Marks

5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeCollege Level Writing

Contained minimal errors related to grammar, spelling, punctuation, and capitalization.

5 pts

Full Marks

0 pts

No Marks

5 pts

This criterion is linked to a Learning OutcomeParts of the Model

Accurately identified source/receiver, encoding/decoding, channel, feedback and environment with 1-3 sentences explaining each.

15 pts

Full Marks

0 pts

No Marks

15 pts

Total Points: 25

Communication Model

Lecture: The Human Communication Process

How does it work??

I am sure you are thinking to yourself, “What do you mean how does it work? It’s simple, we just use our words and body language to talk with one another.” Sure, that is very true. In fact, the textbook interplay defines communication as “using messages to generate meanings” (Adler, Rosenfeld, Proctor, 2013, p. 9).

However, how many of you have actually considered how complex a “simple” communication interaction can be?

Are you aware of your role as a communicator in your everyday interactions? Who do you think is responsible for the intended meaning of a message? The sender? The receiver? Both? Do you pay attention to the context of every interaction you have and adapt your communication accordingly? Are you aware of the distractions (noise) that might be interfering with the messages being sent and received? How can one’s background (experiences, knowledge, education, culture, mood, gender, etc) impact the interaction? 

These are all questions you should be asking yourself when trying to understand how communication works. 

Over time, communication theorists have developed a communication model, called the Transactional Communication Model, to help explain the complexity of face-to-face human communication. It is difficult to really depict all parts of the process; however, we can use this model to help us better understand our role as a communicator. 

The Model of Communication video (below), along with your textbook, does a great job breaking down all parts of the Transactional Communication Model.

After watching the video, and reading about the Transactional Communication Model, I want you to ask yourself and consider the following questions. 

1. What is my role as a communicator?

2. Who is responsible for the effectiveness of a message (the sender, receiver, or both)? 

Now that you have a better understanding of how complex the communication process is, you are one step closer to becoming a more competent communicator.