Assess the usefulness of theories of communication within health and social care environments

Communication cycle in a health and social care setting

This is argyles theory of communication, where he believes that when someone makes contact there are 6 stages that they go through. The first being ‘idea occurred’, he believes that this is when their brain decides that they are going to speak. The second is ‘message coded’, this is when what they are going to say has been planned and considered, and it is also considered what language they speak it in, what gestures to use, whether they use sign language etc. and the third is ‘messaged sent’, and where what they have been planning to say is spoken. The fourth stage is ‘message received’, this happens when the person they are talking to has heard what they have said. The fifth is ‘message decoded’, this is where the person you have been talking too figures out with their communication skills, what the message they have sent means and what they are going to say. The final stage is ‘message understood’, when the person receiving the message responds with an accurate response and has understood everything that has been said to them.

Here is an example:

Idea occurred - Charlie is 2 years of age. He enjoys helping his mum in the kitchen when she is making a meal. Charlie’s mother spots Charlie in the corner of her eye.

Message coded - She notices Charlie starring at the fruit and is going to ask him if he wants any.

Message sent - When she says, ‘Can I get some fruit for you Charlie?’

Message received – Charlie turns and looks at his mother after she has spoken.

Message decoded – he puts his arms in the air,

Message understood - says ‘me, me’ and smiles at her. His mum responds by picking him up and saying, ‘Okay, you take something yourself this time Charlie’

Interpersonal interaction in a