There are many different theories of communication. One of the theories is the encoder- decoder model.

by kellydavies (student)

There are many different theories of communication. One of the theories is the encoder- decoder model. One of the theories is the encoder- decoder model.

Communication is a progress in which an idea or feeling is encoded into symbols by a source and transmitted to a receiver (target) and decoded into the original idea and feeling. You have a source a channel and a target. The source would be the message, the channel would be the noise and the target would be when the message is sent.

The encoding -decoding model views human communication as a matter of encoding information. This could be forming a sentence. Transmitting the message by speaking, decoding the message by listening and understanding. Successful communication requires clear channels of transmission, and shared codes. There are misunderstandings in communication, this is usually due to incorrect translations, excess noise and gaps in the message.

Continuous loop model

The continuous loop model is the earliest model of communication that has been presented and accepted by others who study the field. It is also the simplest model even though it may not look like it is at first. It also includes all of the basic/players in the communication process. There are still a few problems with the model though. This model is based upon the concept that language is a system or a machine. In this machine, communication acts as the “gears” for the machine to work correctly. Any breakdowns hurt efficiency. While this is the earliest model of communication, it is not known who the developer or the creator of the model was. The only thing we know for is that it was most likely developed in the 1920s or 1930s. One of the flaws of the model is that assumes “continuous” communication. There are times when we choose to stop communicating. In other words this is a good paper but it does not fit all situations.

Shannon and Weaver

This model was created in 1949. It was almost certain that this pair had seen the continuous loop model, but they were probably at least familiar with it. This model was designed to be practical. Just as the “continuous loop model” was more academic the Shannon and Weaver model was known to be the more “down to earth” model. The basic for this model was a study of telephone conversations over a very lengthy 2 year time. The team studied only what they deemed to be “important” or “significant” calls of some lengths. Quick calls to a neighbour or a store were not considered for the study. The focus was on the “mechanics” of the messages.

Berlo’s Model

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Berlo’s Model

This is the most recent model of communication study. An exact date is not given for the study, but it is believed to have been completed in the late 1970’s or the early 1980’s. This one is not designed to be “academic” or “practical” it is designed to be “all inclusive”. Even with all of the good things that this “model” illustrates and tries to describe, there is still one little issue to remember. It’s not really even a true model in the first place. It is not a model because it was never tested. Berlo designed what he though would be the ideal system to describe communication, but never had a chance to put it to test in real life. Since it was never “field tested” the “model” that Berlo developed has to take on a new title. it has to be called a theory.

Task 3 - Describe factors which may influence communication and interpersonal interactions with particular reference to health and social care settings

Communication and language needs and preferences

People that work in health and social care environments, with people who have a disability, such as a hearing problem or a visual problem should have many different ways of communicating. Individuals who have hearing impairments have different ways of communicating which could be sign language, lip reading or reading symbols. They use these different methods to communicate with people. The reason why they use symbols is because some people may not know how to sign to someone with hearing difficulties. By using symbols to communicate can make an enormous difference. For example by using different types of communication methods, it empowers individuals with hearing impairments by giving them choices, increase involvement and it can also boost the individuals confidence. Individuals who only have slight hearing problems (partly deaf) are still able to read an write, so to influence their intellectual needs it is also handy to carry a pen and book around such as a notepad to use for different forms of communication.

There are several different things that could influence communication.

If the language that we communicate with is not understood by the person we are talking to could be a big problem. Different cultures or cultural differences could also be a problem because they could have a preferred language they like to speak in or be spoken to by, and if there is not anyone to speak to the person in their preferred language then that could cause a barrier to communication. The environment could play a big part in communication. If someone is in an environment that they did not feel comfortable in then that could play a real bad part on their communication, but if they felt comfortable in the environment then more than likely you would see a increase on their communication. Lighting can also be a barrier, for example if you were to sign to someone with hearing difficulties and the lighting was poor , and it was dim, it could be hard for the individual to see what you are signing to them, it would not be as clear as it would be in good lighting. If there is loud background noise that could become a influence on communication. For example if you are on the telephone speaking to someone and there is a lot of background noise then the individual on the other end of the phone may not hear what you said correctly which could lead to miss-communication. Values and beliefs could also be an influence on communicating efficiently. This could be a problem because if someone does not agree on your value or beliefs then this could stop verbal communication. If you are trying to communicate in awkward situations or tense or upsetting situations, it can be really hard for verbal communication, because you may not know what to say, or you may not know what the correct thing to say is. In situations like that non-verbal communication, like a hug, a nod, a smile or even a frown works better. Interruption can be the main cause of a barrier to communication. If someone is speaking and they are constantly getting interrupted it can cause that individual to stop speaking as it could knock their confidence. It could also in some way bring down their self-esteem. Interrupting someone during communication is a number one factor of a barrier to communication.

The role of effective communication could fall under Maslow’s belief.

Communication falls under the physical needs because communication is about physical needs or help. If you are in pain, if you are hungry or cold. Communication is the central because if you are working in a health and social care environment people in this predicament communication will be vital to solving the issue. It also falls under emotional needs. Effective communication will help service users feel safe. If someone has been rushed into accident and emergency because they have had a stroke or a heart attack then communication is the most important factor their, because if you are speaking to the individual and asking them where are they in pain to, what have they hurt etc. It makes them feel safe and welcome. Poor communication may make service users feel threatened, and users. Vice versa, if a service user feels threatened or unsafe this may effect their communication.

Affection/belonging

Effective communication skills are important for individuals to show and receive affection. Effective communication between a professional and a service user may result in the service user may result in the service user feeling belonged, which is a good thing because if someone has come to speak about problems they have they will want to feel belonged so they can gain trust in you to speak to you, and then the professional will be able to help the individual out. Whereas if you use poor communication it could make the individual feel like a outsider and then the individual wont confide in the professional as much as they could, and without the correct information the professional wont be able to help the individual out.

Self esteem

Effective communication empowers people to value others and builds a positive self image, but if you are to use poor communication it could make the service user feel devalued and worthless.

Self actualisation

Personal growth and self actualisation can often be helped by effective communication with others in sharing ideas.

Factors that could inhibit effective communication.

Physical factors

Background noise may stop a health and social care professional hearing a service user or even a colleague. Poor lighting can also cause bad results in non verbal communication because signals may not be picked up and then that could result in miss-communication. If furniture is badly placed it may inhibit verbal and non verbal communication.

Tiredness

A tired health and social care professional may listen badly because the act of active listening takes to much physical, mental and or emotional effort.

The know it all

Health and social care professionals may feel it is important that they have a straight forward answer for everything and that they have “heard everything before” this can stop them listening properly to what the service user is trying to communicate

Time constraints

Professionals in health and social care are very busy people with large case loads. There are considerable constraints on their time; such constraints mean communication can be poor. Professionals need to be aware of this and not use it as an excuse for not listening.

Avoiding difficult issues

Sometimes the service user can cause their carer to worry about them, they may also talk about topics such as pain and grief this can make the professional very awkward and they could switch off and have poor listening skills. Health and social care professionals must be trained to be able to talk about such issues and not avoid them because they are uncomfortable.

Intolerance and ignorance

If a health and social care worker does not approve of the lifestyle or background of a service user, this can cause communication to become very difficult. Health and social care professionals must be tolerant, broad minded and non judgmental as effective communication is the service users entitlement.