Communication Definition & Process, Elements of Communication (Source,
Encoding, Message, Channel, Decoding, Feedback, Noise), Interpersonal vs Mass
Communication, Mediated Communication, Mass Personal Communication,
Bandwidth, Digitization, Binary Code, Analog vs Digital Media, The Three C’s
(Compression, Conversion, Convergence), Moore’s Law, Internet vs internet,
Web 1.0, Web 2.0, Web 3.0, Big Data, Diffusion of Innovations Theory
(Innovators to Laggards), Technological Determinism vs Social Shaping of
Technology, Hardware vs Software, Reinvention, Cyborg Theory, Transparent vs
Opaque Technologies, Scaffolding, Connotative vs Denotative Meaning, Uses &
Gratifications Theory, Functional Approach, Problems De Novo vs Ex Nihilo,
Technochauvinism, Media Ecology, Information Literacy, Big 6 Model (Task
Definition, Information Seeking, Location & Access, Use, Synthesis, Evaluation),
Source Credibility, Digital Divide, Economic Divide, Usability Divide,
Empowerment Divide, Jury Theorem, Crowdsourcing, Netizens, Critical Thinking
Standards (Clarity, Accuracy, Precision, Relevance, Depth, Breadth, Logic,
Fairness), Red Herring, Egocentrism Exam Questions Verified and Provided with
Complete A+ Graded Rationales Latest Updated 2026
Communication definition
The process by which one person stimulates meaning in the minds of another person (or
persons) though verbal and nonverbal messages
Elements of communication
Source, encoding, message, channel, decoding, feedback, noise
, Communication as a process
An ongoing sequence of actions or events that involves sending and receiving messages.
Mass communication
Having a singular source that sends out one message to a large audience
Example: a TV station sending out one message to all people watching the channel
Three characteristics of mass communication
1) Mass production: to reach a large audience, one size fits all message
2) Finite in its available channels have to reach a large audience (billboards)
3) Lack of individual control: It is often one-way communication (can't control what's playing on
TV)
Bandwidth
the capacity of the channel to carry messages
Interpersonal Communication
Consider the intended audience size
Consider the nature of the relationship between sender and receiver
- Student and professor has a power dynamic