additional-readings for social work student
- 1. SW 224 Communication and Documentation (Supplemental Readings/ Additional References)
- 2. Communication A process of understanding and sharing meaning. A process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs or behavior. An act or process of using words, sounds, signs or behaviors to express or exchange information or to express ideas, thoughts, feelings, etc. to someone else. Process of interaction wherein meaning is stimulated through the sending and receiving of verbal messages Is interaction: one person sends the message to a person who receives it and in turn responds. It’s a dynamic, on-going and transactional process.
- 3. TYPES OF COMMUNICATION Intrapersonal Communication – process of understanding and sharing meaning within the self. Interpersonal Communication – process of understanding and sharing meaning between ourselves and at least one person. Public Communication – a process of sharing and understanding meaning with a number of people when one person is generally identified as the speaker and others as receivers or listeners
- 4. A purposeful set of activities focused on altering the problem situation of client. It is a process that allows for the information gathering necessary for the assessment of clients problem and the enactment of the relationship and intervention Primary technology of social work Chief tool of the social worker WHAT IS SW COMMUNICATION
- 5. ELEMENTS OF COMMUNICATION 1. Source – Communication may originate from an individual, a group or an institution. In social work this means that communication could be initiated by social worker, with her client, her co-worker, her agency, or with a worker in another agency. 2. Message – The “message” of a communication could be a knowledge, an attitude, and/or behavior which the source wishes to convey to the receiver. Message can be verbally, non- verbally and through symbols.
- 6. ELEMENTS … 3. Channel – Refers to the proper course or “Channel” of transmission of communication either interpersonal communication or mass media, or both. ⮚Interpersonal communication – Involves face-to-face contact with people. It can be 1-to-1 basis or on a group level ⮚Mass Media – Comes in 2 forms: 1. Printed Material 2. Electronics (TV, Radio) 4. Receiver – The person, group, or population segment/total population is the intended audience of a communication.
- 7. “MESSAGE” 1. Verbal Communication involves the use of words whether spoken or written. >Euphemisms – Use of word or phrase which expresses something unpleasant or offensive in a more pleasant way. 2. Non-Verbal Communication – Communication without the use of words conveyed through the person’s physical appearance, dress, facial expression, behavior, gestures, sounds, silence, touch, eye contact, etc. Conveys attitudes and feelings often accompanies verbal communication. > Symbols – Comes in the form of pictures, diagrams, posters, logos, etc. Can stand with themselves or with words.
- 8. MESSAGES THAT HAVE THE BEST CHANCE OF BEING EFFECTIVE 1. The verbal and non-verbal messages are congruent 2. The message is simple, specific and intelligible to the receiver 3. The receiver can understand what is meant by the sender 4. There is sufficient repetition 5. Reduction of psychological and actual noise
- 9. PROBLEMS THAT CONFRONT SW IN THEIR COMMUNICATION WITH CLIENTS 1. Double Messages- two contradictory messages are received simultaneously or in close succession 2. Ambiguous Messages- these messages have little meaning or several possible meanings for the receiver 3. Referent Confusion-words have different meaning or a professional jargon 4. Overload -receiving of more messages than a receiver can interpret 5. Order Incongruence - failure to properly sequence the message