MODALITIES of COMMUNICATION are the channels through which we transmit and receive language signals.

To appreciate the functions of the human nervous system in communication we must be aware of the systems of output and input we use.

GOAL: to apply the elements of neuroscience to the several modalities of human communication.

OBJECTIVES: "After reading and lecture, students will ...

1. Differentiate three modalities of communication.

2. Different between afferent and efferent functions of the three modalities.

3. Differentiate three levels of processing for output and input in these modalities.

...with 90% accuracy."

  1. We communicate primarily via THREE MODALITIES or "Channels." (A really fine instrument for testing these modalities is the Porch Index of Communicative Abilities, Porch, B (1981). Administration, Scoring and Interpretation Manual, 3rd Edition. Palo Alto, CA.: Consulting Psychologists Press. (Actually, Porch described nine total modalities in his latest revision, but the six new ones can be managed by the three original, primary ones.)


    1. Communication via any modality requires a minimal efficiency of input processing and output expression.


      1. Input functions are AFFERENT.


      2. Output functions are EFFERENT.


      3. The Expresser must have minimally efficient afferent functions to insure successful efferent functions.


        1. These include input through the muscles. The brain must be aware, consciously or unconsciously of the position and movement status of articulatory structures.


        2. As well as through vision and hearing.


    2. Gestural communication uses the face, hands and extremities for pointing or for pantomime.


      1. The Afferent limb is Visual or Tactile.


      2. The Efferent limb is motor, with movement creating the signal.


        1. With the face and...


        2. with the extremities


    3. The Spoken modality (called "Verbal" by Porch) uses sounds emitted through the mouth and nose for communication.


      1. Also known as speech. Did you ever want a definition for "Speech?"


      2. The Afferent limb of the spoken modality is auditory.


      3. The Efferent limb is modification of pulmonary air through contractions of the bulbar and thoracic musculature.


    4. The Graphic modality uses relatively permanent marks.


      1. The Afferent limb is visual.


      2. The Efferent limb requires ability to manipulate extremities or head/neck.


  2. We process all modalities on (at least) three levels.


    1. Afferent Communicative Functions are processed through Reception, Perception, Association and Integration.


      1. Reception is the process by which physical signals are converted into neural action potentials


      2. Perception sorts and differentiates the basic characteristics of the neural potentials.


      3. Association is the process of relating the perceptions to symbolic referent functions stored in the memory, and of storing these new associations for later use.


      4. Integration is the process of combining the processed signal with stored information from other communicative acts, past and present, storing them as appropriate, and deciding about further communicative responses.


    2. Efferent Functions may be described as Conception, Formulation Expression and Monitoring.


      1. Conception is the selection of the appropriate symbols for the output.


        1. The expresser selects these symbols from an array of choices.


        2. Before this occurs, the expresser must decide to respond and chose the appropriate modalities.


      2. Formulation involves the generation of series of neural patterns which activate the output tracts.


        1. This involves the activation of diverse brain centers.


        2. There appears to be a final common pathway through which all these centers converge.


      3. Expression is the contracting and coordinated relaxation of the muscles which disturb the medium of communication and produce the signals.


      4. Monitoring completes the loop of expression and reception.


    3. INTEGRATION is a series of processes that occur between Afferent and Efferent Functions. Integration is a function that links the two, creating an interdependence. Without efficient input, output is compromised.