Communication Process

Definition

The communication process in psychology refers to the exchange of information, ideas, thoughts, and emotions between individuals or groups. It involves a sender transmitting an idea to a receiver.

Analogy

Think of the communication process like a game of telephone. One person (the sender) whispers a message into another person's ear (the receiver). That person then passes the message along to the next person, and so on. Just like in this game, effective communication requires clear transmission and accurate reception of messages.

Related terms

Encoding: This is the first step in communication where the sender converts their thoughts into a language or symbol that can be understood by others.

Decoding: This is when the receiver interprets and makes sense of the received message.

Feedback: This is an essential part of communication where the receiver sends back their response or reaction to the sender's message.