Student

In this essay I am going to write about the different theories of communication. I will discuss the communication theories presented by Michael Argyle and Bruce Tuckman and the different stages included in both. Both Theories refer to different types of communication and are used to develop effective communication within the health and social care sector. The communication cycle is an important factor in the way we communicate with each other today as it enables us to participate and understand conversations well. Rasheed et al (2010) says once you have decided you need to communicate with someone, it is helpful to think about the communication cycle. This is a commonly used theory of communication first developed by Charles Berner in 1965 and modified by Michael Argyle, a social psychologist, in 1972. The communication goes through various stages which involves two people; the sender and the receiver. The interaction involves sending and receiving messages, it is a two way process which is responsible for effective communication. There are several steps in Argyles theory of communication. This figure taken from Boardworks shows a diagram of the communication cycle. It shows one-on-one communication and how the different stages are presented by each person. Stage one of Argyles communication cycle is Ideas occurring. Langridge et al (2007) says that Ideas occur and a conscious decision is made to send a message. The sender is the one from whom the ideas originate, and starts off the communication cycle. For example Mrs Smith wants to have some pain relief administered during her labour. Stage two is where the message is coded by the sender. This is where the sender decides what type of communication to use which can consists of speaking, listening, body language or gestures and writing. They have to make sure they communicate in a way so that the receiver can understand what the sender is saying. Also the sender must think of their tone of voice and how they can come across. Mrs Smith will probably notify the Doctor or Midwife in what sort of pain relief she wants and when she wants it. Stage three is quite simple and short as the message is sent. Stage four is when the message is received by the receiver. Langridge et al. (2007) describes the stage as The response will depend on a number of factors such as whether the receiver is in a position to hear or to listen or is able to interpret the information being sent. The Doctor or Midwife will listen to the message if they are able to which then leads onto the penultimate stage, which is Stage five. This is where the message is decoded by the receiver, where the Receiver processes the message. In this case the Doctor or Midwife will process the information they have just received. The final stage, Stage six is where the message is understood and feedback is given. The receiver must respond appropriately to the message from the sender. The Midwife or Doctor will give Mrs Smith an answer and perhaps saying when they will give her pain relief. The roles of the participants reverse as the communication cycle will start again, and a conversation will arise and they sender and receiver will continuously exchange messages.