Deutsch: Sender / Español: emisor / Português: emissor / Français: émetteur / Italiano: emittente
In the psychology context, a sender refers to the individual or entity that initiates a communication by transmitting a message to another person or group, known as the receiver. This concept is central to understanding communication processes in fields such as social psychology, communication theory, and interpersonal relationships.
Description
In psychology, communication is viewed as a dynamic process that involves a sender, a message, and a receiver. The sender is the originator of the message—whether it is spoken, written, non-verbal (e.g., body language), or through digital means. The sender's role is to encode the message, which involves choosing the right words, tone, or symbols to effectively communicate an idea, thought, or feeling to the receiver.
Effective communication depends heavily on how well the sender encodes the message and how it is interpreted by the receiver. Factors like the sender's emotions, intent, and clarity of expression can influence how the message is received and understood.
In various psychological theories, the role of the sender is examined in terms of:
- Encoding: The cognitive process by which the sender translates their thoughts, feelings, or information into a communicable form.
- Perception and Bias: A sender's perception of the receiver or the context of the communication can affect how they choose to craft and deliver the message. Bias, mood, or past experiences can impact the sender's communication style.
- Feedback: Once the message is delivered, the receiver's response or feedback can provide the sender with information about whether the message was understood as intended.
Application Areas
- Social Psychology: In social interactions, the sender is a crucial part of communication dynamics, influencing how relationships develop and how social messages (e.g., norms, expectations) are transmitted.
- Therapy and Counseling: In therapy, both the therapist and the client act as senders and receivers, exchanging verbal and non-verbal messages. The therapist must be attuned to how the client sends messages about their thoughts and emotions, while also being careful in how they send interpretive or supportive feedback.
- Communication Theory: In models like the Shannon-Weaver Model, the sender is the person who sends the message, initiating the communication chain. Understanding the role of the sender is crucial for decoding the success or failure of communication.
- Interpersonal Communication: The sender-receiver dynamic is fundamental in understanding how people interact, share emotions, or solve conflicts through conversation or body language.
Well-Known Examples
- Therapeutic Communication: In counseling, the therapist must effectively serve as a sender when providing feedback, interpretations, or support to the client. How the therapist delivers these messages influences the therapeutic relationship.
- Social Media Communication: In digital contexts, people act as senders when they post, message, or share content. The success of the communication depends on how well the sender understands the platform and the audience.
- Non-verbal Communication: In face-to-face interactions, a person can be the sender of non-verbal cues, such as facial expressions or gestures, which can communicate emotions or intentions even without words.
Risks and Challenges
- Miscommunication: The sender might fail to encode the message clearly, leading to misunderstandings or confusion on the receiver's part.
- Bias in Message Delivery: Personal biases, assumptions, or emotional states can distort the message that the sender is attempting to convey, resulting in communication breakdowns.
- Cultural Differences: In cross-cultural communication, a sender's message might be misinterpreted due to cultural differences in language, gestures, or communication styles.
Similar Terms
- Communicator: Another term for the sender, especially in communication models.
- Encoder: The sender's role in translating thoughts into a message.
- Initiator: The person who starts the communication process by sending the first message.
- Source: In communication theory, the origin of the message.
Weblinks
- allerwelt-lexikon.de: 'Sender' in the allerwelt-lexikon.de (German)
- information-lexikon.de: 'Sender' in the information-lexikon.de (German)
Summary
In psychology, a sender is the individual or entity that initiates communication by encoding and transmitting a message to a receiver. The effectiveness of communication depends on how well the sender conveys their thoughts, emotions, or information, taking into account factors like encoding, perception, and feedback. Whether in therapy, social interactions, or communication theory, the sender plays a crucial role in shaping the dynamics of message exchange and understanding.
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