What does "decoding" refer to in the communication process?

The term "decoding" in the communication process pertains specifically to the transformation of a message into understanding. This involves the interpretation and processing of information that the receiver does after receiving a message. In essence, it’s how a receiver takes the symbols, words, and other forms of communication presented by the sender and derives meaning from them.

When someone sends a message—whether spoken, written, or non-verbal—this message might contain complex ideas, emotions, or intentions. Once this message is received, the decoding process enables the receiver to make sense of it based on their own experiences, context, and knowledge. This is crucial for effective communication, as the intent of the sender must be accurately understood by the receiver to ensure a successful exchange of information.

The other choices touch on different aspects of communication. Delivering a message pertains to the transmission rather than interpretation, interpreting body language focuses on a specific non-verbal aspect of communication, and the selection of symbols by the sender is about how the message is created, rather than how it is interpreted by the receiver. Understanding decoding is vital for recognizing how miscommunications might arise when shared meanings are not achieved.