What are the types of propagation definitions?

The word "communication" is the Chinese translation of the English word "communication", which comes from the Latin word "communis" and has the meaning of "public" and "community". It has evolved into the meaning of "communication", "transmission" and "traffic" through convention.

I definition of communication (source: Liu Hailong's paradigm and school)

1, the theory of "* * * enjoyment" emphasizes that "communication" is information sharing between sender and receiver.

For example, wilbur schramm, a master of communication, thinks that "communication is the sharing of a group of information symbols". He believes that "when we spread, who do we try to establish common ground with, that is, the information, thoughts or attitudes we try to share."

Another viewpoint of "* * * enjoyment" is that the concept of "* * * enjoyment" is approximately equal to "interaction", and the subtext is to emphasize that communication is an equal exchange and dialogue between the sender and the receiver, and there should be at least respect and understanding between them.

2. "Communication" theory emphasizes that "communication" is a mutual and two-way activity.

For example, American scholar J. Houben said that "communication is to exchange ideas in words." It's a bit like "enjoyment", but the point is not "result", but "process".

3. "Symbol" theory emphasizes that "transmission" is the flow of symbols (or information).

For example, American scholars B. Berelson and Senna think: "The so-called communication is the transmission of symbols through the main media of mass communication and interpersonal communication"; "Communication is the use of symbols-words, pictures, numbers, charts, etc. To convey information, thoughts, feelings, technology, etc. " .

4. The definition of communication in Encyclopedia Britannica: "Communication is the exchange of ideas between individuals through the same symbol system".

5. The theory of "influence (persuasion)" emphasizes that "communication" is the behavior that the sender exerts influence on the receiver (through persuasion).

For example, American scholars J Lucy and G Peterson believe that "the concept of communication includes the whole process of interaction between people". This definition correctly points out that there are a lot of utilitarian and purposeful communication activities in real life.

6. Other statements:

Control theory: it is the sender's control over the receiver.

Power theory: information means some kind of compulsion or discipline.

Game theory: a game in which communicators make rules.

7. From the definition of communication, we can see that the basic characteristics of human social communication are: (Guo's Basic Communication)

1, social interaction is an activity to enjoy information.

2. Social communication is carried out in a certain social relationship and is the embodiment of a certain social relationship.

3. As far as social relations are concerned, communication is a two-way social interaction.

4. An important prerequisite for establishing communication is that both parties must have a meaningful space.

5. Communication is a kind of behavior, a process and a system.

Second, the three meanings of communication

1, communication

The original meaning of Communication in Chinese is "communication", which is the same as the etymology of community in Latin, and its part is communis. That is, to establish "make common"-that is, to share information and emotions with each other through face-to-face communication in the community, so as to establish a deep understanding. One of the most important areas is the family. The sound and smell in the house are familiar. Someone is coming in from the next room. Just listen to the footsteps and you will know who it is. There is no need to look up. Obviously, familiarity is the basic element of communication.

Habermas put forward the "public sphere", which also started from the family; People walk out of the "family" fortress and enter a "public * * *" field full of strangers. They are not familiar with each other in that field. It is necessary to establish a situation without political oppression and capital pollution, so that everyone can seek common ground while reserving differences through critical and rational communication.

Step 2 transport

After the industrial revolution, communication entered the second stage, adding the meaning of "traffic". Industrial society creates employment opportunities, and a large number of farmers move to cities. Thanks to boats, cars, planes, telephones and telegrams, they can still maintain their feelings and significance in the distance. Traffic breaks the geographical barrier and prolongs people's communication energy, but the density of communication content is bound to be greatly diluted. Today, Bank of Communications is translated into Bank of Communications. The translation of the Ministryof Communications into the Ministry of Communications actually retains the meaning of the second layer communication.

For example, Cooley proposed that "the railway is also an important way of communication"

3. Media

As late as 1950s, the word "mass media" appeared in English, which generally refers to newspapers, magazines, radio and television that we are familiar with, and even extends to today's so-called "new media" (including the Internet, satellites and social media), and has entered the third meaning of communication. If the second layer means "material" means of transportation, then the third layer means "spiritual" means of transportation.

When it comes to communication, we must pay attention to the group of "audience". In classical sociology, the public also means "mob" in Chinese (refer to Le Pen's "mob"), which describes strangers with different backgrounds, loose organization, leaderless, between audiences and between audiences and communicators.

It is precisely because of the "rabble" that the early Colombian school assumed that the media can drive straight people, and its information can "strike" these "atomized" audiences and change their attitudes and behaviors. Later research proved that this assumption was absurd.

Lippmann (1922) believes that mass media transforms the "outside world" into our "image in the brain", while journalists live in the middle. They must use "stereotypes" to capture the complex external world, which inevitably leads to leakage. Therefore, Lippmann advocates experts and elites to explain social events to the public.

In the early years, the Chicago School called the media "organized intelligence", that is, a bureaucratic organization composed of journalists and editors. Collect, manufacture and distribute all kinds of information purposefully. Since public opinion represents "rational communication", why does mass media promote the "rational communication" of public opinion? How to unify theoretical contradictions? Then we must further assume that even if individuals are ignorant, everyone has collective wisdom. The so-called "the eyes of the masses are discerning" also has the same effect.

Summary-

These three meanings appear one after another, which are independent and exist at the same time. No matter how advanced modern communication technology is, it can't replace face-to-face communication, and the functions of communication and transportation don't completely overlap. The romantic prototype of western democratic theory, from Greek city-state politics to the parliament hall of a small town in New England, assumes that everyone in the community is familiar with each other, well-informed and more keen on participating in public affairs.

Third, the types and functions of communication

1, communication type

(1) is self-communication, interpersonal communication, organizational communication and mass communication.

(2) It is divided into personal communication and mass communication.

2. Personal function of communication

(1) The personal function of communication can be divided into sociality and egocentricity. (Piaget)

(2) Many personal functions of communication are instrumental behaviors. (tolman)

(3) Spreading the "game theory" of personal function. (Stephenson)

(4) The personal functions of media mainly include information function, personality development function, social integration function and entertainment function. (Dennis mcguire)

3. Social function of communication

(1) harold lasswell's three-point summary of the communication function in the article "The Structure and Function of Communication in Society" (1948) has always been regarded as a classic exposition by communication scholars.

Namely, three functional theories-monitoring environment; Harmonious society; Inherit culture.

(2) In his book Mass Communication: A Discussion on Functions (1957), Charles Wright added a fourth function-entertainment, in addition to the three functions put forward by lasswell.

These four functions are usually called informing (obtaining information), persuading, educating and entertaining.

(3) Radas Feld and Merton put forward in Mass Communication, Mass Appreciation and Organized Social Action (1948) that mass communication has the status of granting; Promote the implementation of social norms; The spirit of anesthesia.

Fourth, the elements of communication

(1) Three-element theory: sender, content (information) and receiver.

(2) Four elements: sender, content (information), channel and receiver.

(3) Five elements: 5W of lasswell (who, what to say, what to pass on, to whom, and what effect to achieve).

(4) Six elements: source, coding, information, noise, decoding and information destination.