Unit 1
When we are communicating there are two main theories of describing the process of communication, in one to one conversations and group conversations. Argyles theory is about the communication cycle in one to one communication, whereas Tuckmans theory describes the communication within a group and interpersonal interaction.
According to Argyle, the communication cycle involves a two way process where you try to understand each others viewpoints. Argyle mentions that we learn the skills of communication through our family and what we are taught by them such as learning how we talk. We also learn from the media by our observations such as copying how they act or listening to what they say in a television programme. We learn these skills at an early age of childhood in primary socialisation and can develop as you grow. When in a one-to-one conversation we have to be able to decode the information from what other people say and constantly adapt your own behaviour. For communication to be successful, it is important that you check your understanding by actively and reflectively listening. This could be demonstrated by showing simple gestures like nodding.
Argyle also emphasises on how important it is to receive feedback in activities that require skills to help them further improve. These skills can be known as interpersonal interaction where people exchange information and their emotions through verbal and non-verbal communication. Verbal and non-verbal communication is complicated at most times as Argyles cycle states the information that is said has a particular code that has to be translated for the other person to fully decode and understand. For a conversation to start in a one-to-one conversation, an idea has to occur in someones thought that they want to share and communicate, which is the first stage of Argyles communication cycle.
Secondly, once an idea has occurred, thought has to go into how the idea is going to be sent, such as speaking in a particular language, sign language or other symbols, so the message is coded. The third stage is that when thought has gone into how the information will be sent, it should be acted upon. The fourth stage involves the second person where the message has to be received when they hear the dialect or observe the actions.
After the message is received, the fifth stage will be when the message is decoded which can be difficult as the information can be interpreted in various ways depending on the tone of voice it has been said in or the body language. As for this reason, it is common for them to ask the person to repeat what they have just said or done. Finally, once the message is decoded, the last stage is understanding the message or idea, which may not happen the first time.
An example to support Argyles theory could be in a hospital, where there is a one-to-one conversation between the doctor and patient in an office. After they both meet each other, the patient may h...
