Describe five stages of the listening process

Process of communication:
Communication is an interactive process. The two communication agents involved in the
communication process are the sender(s) and the receiver(s). Both the communication agents exert a reciprocal influence on each other through inter-stimulation and response. The process of communication consists of five steps. These are: ideation, encoding, transmission, decoding and feedback. These steps take place only between the sender and receiver.

1. Ideation: This is the initiation in the different stages of communication. Ideation refers to the formation of the idea and we tend to select the message to be communicated. We also finalize the language for communication, the length and breadth of it. It consists of the ‘What’ of communication and is concerned with the content of the specific message to be presented. Ideation depends on the sender’s knowledge, experiences, and abilities, as well as the purpose of communication and the context of the communication situation. However, ideation depends on various factors. Messages are generally of two types as far as content is concerned, i.e. logical and emotional. A logical message contains facts, figures and analysis whereas
emotional messages consists of feelings. We finalize on the topic to communication in this step.

2. Encoding: It is the process of converting the idea into a particular language. The information to be sent is transformed into a logical and coded message. It depends on the type of relationship the sender and receiver enjoy. For example, if it is a formal situation then the sender has to keep various things in mind e.g. Selection of language, level of competency of the receiver to understand the language, selecting a medium of communication (speaking, writing or non-verbal means) and the form of communication (face to face, telephone, one-to-one, one-to-many, group communication etc.

3. Transmission: It refers to the transfer of message from sender to the receiver through a proper channel. It helps in confirming the process of encoding and keeps the channel free from interference. It decides the right time, place and method for communication. Through transmission only the intended message reaches the receiver without distortion and the listener is able to decode it in order to understand and comprehend the message.

4. Decoding: In order to understand the message the receiver has to decode the message in form and content. It is the process of converting the message into thoughts by translating the received stimuli into an interpreted meaning in order to understand the message communicated. One must understand that the message is transferred not the meaning. It depends on the receiver to realize the meaning and understand it. The process also involves interpretation and analysis of a message. In case of oral communication it involves listening and understanding. A quick response is required in oral communication the decoding must take place rapidly, whereas, in case of written communication it involves reading and understanding, hence, the time taken can depend on the ability of receiver. Effective decoding is essential for successful communication to continue.

5. Feedback: It is most important step in the process of communication. Without feedback the process of communication won’t be complete. It makes the process of communication two-way. This is the last stage in the process of communication. One must keep in mind that, the communication doesn’t end here. It just completes one loop in the communication cycle. The process of communication continues in a cyclical order. It is considered the reaction/response to the message. The feedback is given by the receiver, but when the receiver is giving the feedback he/she becomes the sender and the sender becomes the receiver. That’s why it is also known as the reverse flow of communication.
Feedback denotes whether the receiver has understood the message or not. The effectiveness of the process of communication depends on feedback.

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marto answered the question on February 5, 2019 at 07:32