Instructor Manual: Deanna D. Sellnow, Kathleen S. Verderber, Rudolph F. Verderber, Comm, 7e, 2026, 9798214157313; Chapter 1:
Communication Perspectives
Instructor Manual
Deanna D. Sellnow, Kathleen S. Verderber, Rudolph F. Verderber, Comm, 7e,
2026, 9798214157313; Chapter 1: Communication Perspectives
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter......................................................................2
Chapter Objectives........................................................................................................2
Complete List of Chapter Activities and Assessments.................................................2
Key Terms.....................................................................................................................3
Chapter Outline.............................................................................................................5
Discussion Questions....................................................................................................9
Additional Activities and Assignments.......................................................................10
Additional Resources..................................................................................................11
External Videos or Playlist......................................................................................................................11
Internet Resources....................................................................................................................................12
Primary Sources....................................................................................................................................... 12
External Audio Resources........................................................................................................................12
List of Transcripts for Audio Assignments..............................................................................................12
a
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 1
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Deanna D. Sellnow, Kathleen S. Verderber, Rudolph F. Verderber, Comm, 7e, 2026, 9798214157313; Chapter 1:
Communication Perspectives
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a foundational understanding of communication as a complex,
multifaceted process that operates across various contexts and channels. Students will explore the nature
of communication, examining how messages are produced, interpreted, and coordinated through verbal
symbols, nonverbal cues, and visual images in both face-to-face and digital environments. The chapter
addresses key communication components including contexts, settings, and channels while highlighting
characteristics such as purposefulness, continuity, and cultural influence. Emphasis is placed on ethical
communication principles and the development of communication competence through motivation,
knowledge acquisition, and skills practice. Students will learn to assess their own communication abilities
and create personal improvement plans to enhance effectiveness across interpersonal, group, and public
communication settings, preparing them for professional success and meaningful relationship building.
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1-1 Describe the nature of communication as it operates in person and online
1-2 Define key components in the communication process
1-3 Identify the characteristics of communication
1-4 Assess messages using the principles of ethical communication
1-5 Develop a personal communication improvement plan to follow when interacting with others
both in person and online
[return to top]
COMPLETE LIST OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES AND
ASSESSMENTS
The following table organizes activities and assessments by objective, so that you can see how all this
content relates to objectives and make decisions about which content you would like to emphasize in your
class based on your objectives. For additional guidance, refer to the Teaching Online Guide.
Chapter Source (i.e., PPT slide,
Objective Workbook) Activity/Assessment Duration
1-1 Slides 1–3 Chapter introduction and review of 5 min
learning objectives
1-1 Slides 6 and 7 Think Pair Share: Canned Plans and 10 min
Scripts
1-2 Slides 13 and 14 Case Study: Choosing the Channel 15 min
1-2 Slides 15 and 16 Class Discussion: Interference 10 min
a
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 2
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Deanna D. Sellnow, Kathleen S. Verderber, Rudolph F. Verderber, Comm, 7e, 2026, 9798214157313; Chapter 1:
Communication Perspectives
(Noise)
1-3 Slides 18–23 Think Pair Share: Communication 10 min
Settings
1-3 Slides 24–28 Guided Discussion: Characteristics 15 min
of Communication
1-4 Slides 31–34 Role Play: Bright Side vs. Dark 15 min
Side Messages
1-5 Slides 38–41 Written Activity: Communication 10 min
Improvement Plan
1-1–1-5 Chapter textbook End-of-Chapter Review/Quiz 15–20 min
[return to top]
KEY TERMS
Bright side messages: Messages that are ethical and appropriate, typically positive and
constructive, helping to build and maintain healthy relationships.
Canned plan: A “mental library” of scripts each person draws from to create messages based
on what worked for them or others in the past.
Channel: The route traveled by the message and the means of transportation, including verbal
symbols, nonverbal cues, and visual images.
Communication: The process through which people express, interpret, and coordinate
messages with others to create shared meaning, meet social goals, manage personal identity, and
carry out relationships.
Communication apprehension: The fear or anxiety associated with real or anticipated
communication with others, which can be traitlike, audience-based, situational, or context-based.
Communication competence: The impression that communicative behavior is both
appropriate and effective in a given situation.
Communication context: The physical, social, historical, psychological, and cultural
situations that surround a communication event.
Communication process: A complex set of three different and interrelated activities
intended to result in shared meaning: message production, message interpretation, and interaction
coordination.
Complementary feedback: A message that signals agreement about who is in control in a
relationship.
Constructed messages: Messages that are formed carefully and thoughtfully when known
scripts are inadequate for the situation.
Control: The degree to which partners believe themselves to be “in charge” in the relationship.
Credibility: A perception of a speaker’s knowledge, trustworthiness, and warmth that
influences how others view their competence.
Cultural identity: How people perceive themselves based on the cultural and social groups to
which they belong.
a
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 3
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Deanna D. Sellnow, Kathleen S. Verderber, Rudolph F. Verderber, Comm, 7e, 2026, 9798214157313; Chapter 1:
Communication Perspectives
Cultural situation: The beliefs, values, orientations, underlying assumptions, and rituals that
belong to a specific culture.
Culture: A system of shared beliefs, values, symbols, and behaviors that guides how messages
are formed and interpreted.
Dark side messages: Messages that are not ethical and/or appropriate, typically negative and
leading to hurt feelings, conflict, and psychological damage.
Decoding: The process of interpreting messages received from others.
Encoding: The process of creating messages to convey thoughts and feelings.
Environmental scanning: The process of gathering information through quiet observation
about the people and processes that go on in an organization.
Ethics: A set of moral principles held by a society, group, or individual that differentiates right
from wrong.
Feedback: Verbal and nonverbal responses to messages that indicate how the initial message
was interpreted.
Glossophobia: Fear of public speaking, experienced by approximately 75% of the adult
population.
Group communication: Communication involving 3 to 20 people who come together to
interact in live, in-person, or virtual settings.
Historical situation: The background provided by previous communication between
participants that affects current message interpretation.
Index: A measure of the emotional temperature of a relationship at the time of communication.
Interference (noise): Any stimulus that interferes with the process of sharing meaning,
which can be physical or psychological.
Interpersonal communication: Informal interaction between two people who have an
identifiable relationship with each other.
Intimacy: The degree of emotional closeness in a relationship, managed through what and how
much each partner is willing to disclose.
Intrapersonal communication: The interactions that occur in people’s minds when they
are talking to themselves, often occurring subconsciously.
Mass communication: Communication delivered through mass media to large segments of
the population by individuals and entities.
Media richness: The amount and kinds of information that can be transmitted via a particular
communication channel.
Messages: The verbal utterances, visual images, and nonverbal behaviors used to convey
thoughts and feelings.
Physical situation: The location, environmental conditions, and physical proximity of
participants to each other in a communication event.
Positionality: The distinct worldview a participant brings to a communication occasion based
on their background and experiences.
Psychological situation: The moods and feelings each person brings to a communication
encounter.
Public communication: Communication where one participant delivers a message to a
group of more than 20 people.
a
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 4
accessible website, in whole or in part.
Communication Perspectives
Instructor Manual
Deanna D. Sellnow, Kathleen S. Verderber, Rudolph F. Verderber, Comm, 7e,
2026, 9798214157313; Chapter 1: Communication Perspectives
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Purpose and Perspective of the Chapter......................................................................2
Chapter Objectives........................................................................................................2
Complete List of Chapter Activities and Assessments.................................................2
Key Terms.....................................................................................................................3
Chapter Outline.............................................................................................................5
Discussion Questions....................................................................................................9
Additional Activities and Assignments.......................................................................10
Additional Resources..................................................................................................11
External Videos or Playlist......................................................................................................................11
Internet Resources....................................................................................................................................12
Primary Sources....................................................................................................................................... 12
External Audio Resources........................................................................................................................12
List of Transcripts for Audio Assignments..............................................................................................12
a
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 1
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Deanna D. Sellnow, Kathleen S. Verderber, Rudolph F. Verderber, Comm, 7e, 2026, 9798214157313; Chapter 1:
Communication Perspectives
PURPOSE AND PERSPECTIVE OF THE CHAPTER
The purpose of this chapter is to establish a foundational understanding of communication as a complex,
multifaceted process that operates across various contexts and channels. Students will explore the nature
of communication, examining how messages are produced, interpreted, and coordinated through verbal
symbols, nonverbal cues, and visual images in both face-to-face and digital environments. The chapter
addresses key communication components including contexts, settings, and channels while highlighting
characteristics such as purposefulness, continuity, and cultural influence. Emphasis is placed on ethical
communication principles and the development of communication competence through motivation,
knowledge acquisition, and skills practice. Students will learn to assess their own communication abilities
and create personal improvement plans to enhance effectiveness across interpersonal, group, and public
communication settings, preparing them for professional success and meaningful relationship building.
CHAPTER OBJECTIVES
The following objectives are addressed in this chapter:
1-1 Describe the nature of communication as it operates in person and online
1-2 Define key components in the communication process
1-3 Identify the characteristics of communication
1-4 Assess messages using the principles of ethical communication
1-5 Develop a personal communication improvement plan to follow when interacting with others
both in person and online
[return to top]
COMPLETE LIST OF CHAPTER ACTIVITIES AND
ASSESSMENTS
The following table organizes activities and assessments by objective, so that you can see how all this
content relates to objectives and make decisions about which content you would like to emphasize in your
class based on your objectives. For additional guidance, refer to the Teaching Online Guide.
Chapter Source (i.e., PPT slide,
Objective Workbook) Activity/Assessment Duration
1-1 Slides 1–3 Chapter introduction and review of 5 min
learning objectives
1-1 Slides 6 and 7 Think Pair Share: Canned Plans and 10 min
Scripts
1-2 Slides 13 and 14 Case Study: Choosing the Channel 15 min
1-2 Slides 15 and 16 Class Discussion: Interference 10 min
a
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 2
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Deanna D. Sellnow, Kathleen S. Verderber, Rudolph F. Verderber, Comm, 7e, 2026, 9798214157313; Chapter 1:
Communication Perspectives
(Noise)
1-3 Slides 18–23 Think Pair Share: Communication 10 min
Settings
1-3 Slides 24–28 Guided Discussion: Characteristics 15 min
of Communication
1-4 Slides 31–34 Role Play: Bright Side vs. Dark 15 min
Side Messages
1-5 Slides 38–41 Written Activity: Communication 10 min
Improvement Plan
1-1–1-5 Chapter textbook End-of-Chapter Review/Quiz 15–20 min
[return to top]
KEY TERMS
Bright side messages: Messages that are ethical and appropriate, typically positive and
constructive, helping to build and maintain healthy relationships.
Canned plan: A “mental library” of scripts each person draws from to create messages based
on what worked for them or others in the past.
Channel: The route traveled by the message and the means of transportation, including verbal
symbols, nonverbal cues, and visual images.
Communication: The process through which people express, interpret, and coordinate
messages with others to create shared meaning, meet social goals, manage personal identity, and
carry out relationships.
Communication apprehension: The fear or anxiety associated with real or anticipated
communication with others, which can be traitlike, audience-based, situational, or context-based.
Communication competence: The impression that communicative behavior is both
appropriate and effective in a given situation.
Communication context: The physical, social, historical, psychological, and cultural
situations that surround a communication event.
Communication process: A complex set of three different and interrelated activities
intended to result in shared meaning: message production, message interpretation, and interaction
coordination.
Complementary feedback: A message that signals agreement about who is in control in a
relationship.
Constructed messages: Messages that are formed carefully and thoughtfully when known
scripts are inadequate for the situation.
Control: The degree to which partners believe themselves to be “in charge” in the relationship.
Credibility: A perception of a speaker’s knowledge, trustworthiness, and warmth that
influences how others view their competence.
Cultural identity: How people perceive themselves based on the cultural and social groups to
which they belong.
a
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 3
accessible website, in whole or in part.
, Instructor Manual: Deanna D. Sellnow, Kathleen S. Verderber, Rudolph F. Verderber, Comm, 7e, 2026, 9798214157313; Chapter 1:
Communication Perspectives
Cultural situation: The beliefs, values, orientations, underlying assumptions, and rituals that
belong to a specific culture.
Culture: A system of shared beliefs, values, symbols, and behaviors that guides how messages
are formed and interpreted.
Dark side messages: Messages that are not ethical and/or appropriate, typically negative and
leading to hurt feelings, conflict, and psychological damage.
Decoding: The process of interpreting messages received from others.
Encoding: The process of creating messages to convey thoughts and feelings.
Environmental scanning: The process of gathering information through quiet observation
about the people and processes that go on in an organization.
Ethics: A set of moral principles held by a society, group, or individual that differentiates right
from wrong.
Feedback: Verbal and nonverbal responses to messages that indicate how the initial message
was interpreted.
Glossophobia: Fear of public speaking, experienced by approximately 75% of the adult
population.
Group communication: Communication involving 3 to 20 people who come together to
interact in live, in-person, or virtual settings.
Historical situation: The background provided by previous communication between
participants that affects current message interpretation.
Index: A measure of the emotional temperature of a relationship at the time of communication.
Interference (noise): Any stimulus that interferes with the process of sharing meaning,
which can be physical or psychological.
Interpersonal communication: Informal interaction between two people who have an
identifiable relationship with each other.
Intimacy: The degree of emotional closeness in a relationship, managed through what and how
much each partner is willing to disclose.
Intrapersonal communication: The interactions that occur in people’s minds when they
are talking to themselves, often occurring subconsciously.
Mass communication: Communication delivered through mass media to large segments of
the population by individuals and entities.
Media richness: The amount and kinds of information that can be transmitted via a particular
communication channel.
Messages: The verbal utterances, visual images, and nonverbal behaviors used to convey
thoughts and feelings.
Physical situation: The location, environmental conditions, and physical proximity of
participants to each other in a communication event.
Positionality: The distinct worldview a participant brings to a communication occasion based
on their background and experiences.
Psychological situation: The moods and feelings each person brings to a communication
encounter.
Public communication: Communication where one participant delivers a message to a
group of more than 20 people.
a
© 2026 Cengage Learning, Inc. All Rights Reserved. May not be scanned, copied or duplicated, or posted to a publicly 4
accessible website, in whole or in part.
