Communication Transaction

Communication is dynamic that involves interactive processes between people. There is a continuous interpretive messages or meaningful messages created by both parties. It serves as two-way communication that follows a back and forth pattern, the speaker sends message & receiver responses with meanings and goes back to speaker.

The Structure of Transactions

- A transaction takes place when two or more people pay attention to each other and at the same time are mutually and simultaneously taking one another into account.

- Mutual Role Definition…this theory believes that transactions are characterized by the fact that people assume roles in relation to one another.

- The Situation…an interpersonal situation occurs as a powerful guide in choosing which role is appropriate.

- YOURSELF…Your role!
1. Your role will spell out how you will dress up.
2. How you will speak or be spoken to.
3. What kind of duties and privileges and rights you may be entitled to.
4. Roles will determine whom you communicate to.

- Our concept when communicating with the OTHER PERSON:
1. Professional role – the role you expect that person to play.
2. Age role – the person’s age
3. Gender role – the person’s gender (sex)

- Rules…these are the set of guidelines that govern the establishment of role relationships. Sometimes they are clear, sometimes they are not.

Metacommunication

Metacommunication is the communication relationship communication that performs the functions of (a) Interpretive and (b) Rationale.

A. Interpretive…refer to the communication transaction that contains information which tells you how to interpret the content or informational level of the transaction. Characteristics of this include:

1. Gestures – facial & body movements that go with the statement given.

2. Object Language – these are the meaning you apply to objects which which you surround yourself.

3. Tactile Communication – refers to communicating by touch. Touching is a powerful communication tool and serves to express a tremendous range of feelings such as fear, love, anxiety, warmth and coldness.

4. Time – this is a form of interpersonal communication. Being late for an appointment or in turning in an assignment may lead to unpleasant consequences.

5. Space – refers to boundaries or limitations that you would not want to be trespassed. Between persons there should be an interpersonal distance that has to be respected.

B. Relational… refer to the communication transaction that serves to tell others how you see yourself, how you see them, and how you see the relationship.
- Essential Dimensions of Rational Level of Communication
1. Complementary Communication – based on differences among the people in a relationship, and these differences are usually expressed in terms of dominance submission or authority dimension. Some degree of agreement exists about who’s in-charge or where is the focus of authority and control.

2. Symmetrical Communication – based on similarities between people involved in a relationship who tend to mirror each other’s behavior. People in symmetrical communication perceive each other as equals.

3. Intimacy – refer to the level of closeness of people. Touching, standing close to someone, eye to eye contact and smiling are powerful ways of communicating and expressing closeness and openness.

Role Conflict

1. Intersender Conflict – when different people send you expectations which conflict with one another.

2. Intrasender Conflict – arises when you receive inconsistent directives from the same person on how to perform your job.

3. Role Overload – when other people’s expectations of you far exceed the amount of energy, time and skills you have to fulfill them.

4. Personal Role Conflict – occurs when you are expected to do things which are quite out of your own identity.

Barriers to Effective Communication


1. Filtering (saying only what is pleasing and keeping silent about negative things). Refers to a sender manipulating information so that it will be seen more favorably by the receiver.

2. Selective Perception (being biased in your perceptions): People selectively interpret what they see based on their interests, background, experience, and attitudes. Thus for example vested interests can significantly influence what problems we see.

3. Emotions (interprets message based on emotions as of the moment): How the receiver feels at the time of receipt of a communication message will influence how he or she interprets it.

4. Language (choice of language affects what you really want to say): Words mean different things to different people. The meaning of words are not in the words…they are in us. Age, education, and cultural background are three of the more obvious variables that influence the language a persons uses and the definitions they give to words.