Communication

“Communication is a systemic process in which individuals interact with; through symbols to create and interpret meanings.”

– Julia Wood

 

This is a widely used definition from communication scholar Julia T. Wood, often featured in her textbooks like “Communication in Our Lives” or “Communication Mosaics.” It captures a transactional, symbolic, and contextual view of communication common in modern communication studies.

 

Breaking It Down

 

Systemic process:

PROCESS means communication is ongoing, dynamic, and continuous—not a single event or static exchange. It’s always in motion, evolving based on prior interactions, feedback, and context. Once you communicate, it influences future interactions.

 

SYSTEMIC emphasizes that communication doesn’t happen in isolation. It occurs within interconnected systems—such as relationships, families, organizations, cultures, or societies. Everything is linked: what you say affects others, and the environment (physical, social, cultural) shapes the exchange. A change in one-part ripples through the whole system.

 

Individuals interact with and through symbols:

 

SYMBOLS are the core tools of communication—anything that stands for or represents something else (words, gestures, facial expressions, emojis, clothing, tone of voice, art, etc.). They are arbitrary, i.e., their meaning isn’t inherent; it’s socially agreed upon.

 

“WITH symbols” refers to using them as the medium or vehicle.

 

“THROUGH symbols” highlights that we don’t just exchange information; we interact via these symbols, and the symbols themselves shape how we relate to each other.

 

This distinguishes communication from mere behavior or instinct—human communication is fundamentally symbolic.

 

To create and interpret meanings:

 

Meanings are not fixed or automatically transmitted from sender to receiver. Instead, people actively co-create them together.

 

CREATE: Through interaction, participants construct shared or sometimes contested understandings.

 

INTERPRET: Each person brings their own experiences, culture, emotions, and context, so the same symbol (e.g., the word “love” or a smile) can mean different things to different people.

 

This underscores the transactional nature of communication: both, or all, parties are simultaneously sending and receiving, influencing each other in real time.

 

Why This Definition Matters

 

This view moves away from older, linear “transmission” models (e.g., sender → message → receiver) that treated communication like packaging and shipping information. Wood’s definition highlights:

 

Context and relationships — Communication is embedded in systems and builds/maintains relationships.

 

Subjectivity and potential for misunderstanding — Because meanings are interpreted, not inherent, miscommunication is common.

 

Agency and creativity — People aren’t passive; they actively shape reality through how they use and interpret symbols.

 

Breadth — It applies to interpersonal talk, group discussions, mass media, digital communication, and non-verbal cues.

 

Example: Imagine two friends texting:

1. One sends “🙃” (a symbol).

2. The other interprets it based on their shared history (maybe playful sarcasm) and the current context (after a stressful day).

3. They co-create meaning (“You’re joking about the bad meeting”) and respond, which further shapes their ongoing relationship (the systemic part).

 

If the recipient misinterprets it due to their mood or lack of context, the meaning created differs—showing why effective communication requires awareness, feedback, and adaptation.

 

In short, Wood’s definition portrays communication as a dynamic, collaborative, symbol-driven activity through which humans build understanding, relationships, and social reality within larger systems. It’s a foundational idea in communication theory that emphasizes process, symbols, and shared meaning-making over simple information transfer.

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