Study guides · Stuff Every Communication Scout Should Know
Practice facts for the Communication merit badge. Not an official Scouting America credential. Grab a snack: this guide is the friendly version, with the answers explained and a groan-worthy joke waiting at the end of most cards.
Knowing Communication Scout saves you money, time and the occasional embarrassment.
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Short answer: Decode it to understand it
The receiver decodes the message to understand what the sender meant.
Groan of the day: I decoded your message and it said hi!
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Facial expressions
Non-verbal communication happens without language, such as through facial expressions and body language.
Groan of the day: My face talks even when I am quiet.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Communication with oneself
Intrapersonal communication is communication with yourself, like thinking or writing a list.
Groan of the day: I had a meeting with myself and we agreed.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Communication between distinct people
Interpersonal communication happens between distinct people, such as a conversation or phone call.
Groan of the day: Two people talking is a person-to-person call.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: A Latin verb meaning to share
The root is the Latin verb communicare, which means to share or make common.
Groan of the day: Communication is all about sharing the news.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: The way a message travels to the receiver
A channel is the technical means by which a message travels from sender to receiver.
Groan of the day: Pick a channel and stay tuned.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: It lets the listener respond or ask for clarity
Feedback lets listeners respond or ask for clarification, which supports two-way communication.
Groan of the day: Feedback is the boomerang of conversation.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Something that interferes with and distorts a signal
Noise interferes with the signal and can distort the message during transmission.
Groan of the day: Noise is the static that crashes the message party.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Expressing an idea as a message using a code
Encoding is expressing an idea in message form using a code such as words or signs.
Groan of the day: Encode your idea before you send it.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Ascribing meaning to a message or cue
Decoding is the process of ascribing meaning to messages or cues you receive.
Groan of the day: Decode the message and unlock the meaning.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Using sign language
Verbal communication uses language, and sign languages are a form of verbal communication.
Groan of the day: Sign language speaks with the hands.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Pitch, loudness, and rhythm of speech
Paralanguage covers non-verbal elements of speech such as pitch, loudness, and rhythm.
Groan of the day: It is not what you say but how you say it.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: How personal space is used in communication
Proxemics studies how distance and personal space send messages between people.
Groan of the day: Give me some space, said the proxemics fan.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: How information is conveyed by touch
Haptics looks at communication through touch, like handshakes or holding hands.
Groan of the day: A handshake is a touchy greeting.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: The messages sent by being on time or late
Chronemics concerns the use of time, such as what being on time or late communicates.
Groan of the day: Being on time says a lot without a word.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: The ability to communicate well and choose suitable behavior
Communicative competence is the ability to communicate effectively and choose appropriate behavior for a situation.
Groan of the day: Competence means saying the right thing at the right time.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Effectiveness and appropriateness
Effectiveness is achieving your goal, and appropriateness means meeting social standards.
Groan of the day: Be effective and appropriate, a winning pair.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Behavior meets social standards and expectations
Appropriateness means the communicative behavior fits social standards and the context.
Groan of the day: Appropriate words fit the moment.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Make messages more likely to be misinterpreted
Significant cultural differences are an obstacle and make misinterpretation more likely.
Groan of the day: Culture adds flavor and sometimes confusion.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: A model where information flows one way from sender to receiver
Linear models focus on a sender transmitting information to a receiver in one direction.
Groan of the day: Linear models go one way, like a one-way street.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: A feedback loop
Interaction models include feedback, showing communication as two-way with turns.
Groan of the day: Interaction models loop back for a reply.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Sending and responding can happen at the same time
Transaction models allow sending and responding at the same time, like non-verbal feedback during speech.
Groan of the day: Transaction models multitask the message.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: A local area network within a limited area
A LAN is a local area network, usually within a limited area like a home or office.
Groan of the day: A LAN keeps nearby computers chatting.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: A common set of conventions for exchanging data
Protocols are shared conventions about message format and how to handle errors.
Groan of the day: Protocols keep computers on the same page.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Only in one direction
Simplex systems send signals only one way, like radio or airport arrival screens.
Groan of the day: Simplex is a one-way signal street.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Send in one direction at a time
Walkie-talkies are half-duplex, so signals flow one direction at a time.
Groan of the day: Walkie-talkies take turns talking.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Signals flow both ways at the same time
Full-duplex systems send signals in both directions simultaneously, like phones and internet.
Groan of the day: Full-duplex talks and listens together.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: To make data unintelligible to interceptors
Cryptography changes data format so unauthorized third parties cannot understand it.
Groan of the day: Cryptography scrambles secrets for safety.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: A way to interact using graphical elements
Graphical user interfaces use visual elements so people can interact with computers more easily.
Groan of the day: A GUI makes computers click with people.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: To make new concepts feel familiar
Skeuomorphism mimics real-world objects so new interface ideas feel familiar and are easier to understand.
Groan of the day: A folder icon feels like home.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: They release volatile organic compounds
Maple trees release volatile organic compounds that warn neighboring plants of herbivore attack.
Groan of the day: Trees send scented alerts.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: An underground network of mycorrhizal fungi connecting roots
Mycorrhizal fungi form underground networks that connect plant roots and carry warning messages.
Groan of the day: The Wood-Wide Web has deep roots.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: With distinctive colors and symmetrical shapes
Flowers use colors and symmetrical shapes to signal where nectar is and attract pollinators.
Groan of the day: Flowers advertise with colorful signs.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Releasing molecules to detect and respond to other bacteria
Bacteria release hormone-like molecules that others detect, helping coordinate population-wide responses.
Groan of the day: Bacteria take a head count by molecule.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: They detect emotions from pitch and frequency
Dogs react to pitch and frequency to detect emotions, dominance, and uncertainty in human voices.
Groan of the day: Dogs tune in to your tone.
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Track the time and different ways you communicate
A communication log tracks time and different ways you communicate, such as talking, listening, and media.
Groan of the day: Log your chats and see the pattern.
Sources: Scouting America: Communication
Short answer: Examples of why you listened, such as to learn or to enjoy
A listening journal identifies examples like obtaining information, being persuaded, enjoying something, or understanding feelings.
Groan of the day: Listen up and write it down.
Sources: Scouting America: Communication
Short answer: It may not fit the situation or audience
Different communication methods can be unsuitable depending on the instance, audience, or situation.
Groan of the day: Pick the right channel for the chat.
Sources: Scouting America: Communication
Short answer: Using a creative aid like a collage or short story
A creative aid such as a collage, story, drawing, or song can help describe yourself in a presentation.
Groan of the day: A collage can tell your story.
Sources: Scouting America: Communication
Short answer: The good points of your concept or product
A sales plan should be built on the good points of the concept, product, or service.
Groan of the day: Sell the strengths, not the mystery.
Sources: Scouting America: Communication
Short answer: Reasons the audience would want to hear the person
An introduction should include reasons the audience would want to hear the guest speaker.
Groan of the day: Introduce the speaker and spark interest.
Sources: Scouting America: Communication
Short answer: Careful notes of each point of view
Practice active listening and take careful notes of each point of view expressed.
Groan of the day: Notes keep every viewpoint in view.
Sources: Scouting America: Communication
Short answer: Determine whether the person learned what you intended
After carrying out a teaching plan, determine with your counselor whether the person learned what you intended.
Groan of the day: Teach, then check the learning.
Sources: Scouting America: Communication
Short answer: At least three articles and one image or link
A webpage or blog should include at least three articles or entries, one image, and one helpful link.
Groan of the day: Three posts and a picture make a page.
Sources: Scouting America: Communication
Short answer: Share it with your parent or guardian and counselor for permission
If you decide to post online, first share it with your parent or guardian and counselor and get permission.
Groan of the day: Ask first, then post.
Sources: Scouting America: Communication
Short answer: A newsletter, brochure, or flyer
Desktop publishing can produce printed materials like a newsletter, brochure, or flyer with an article and image.
Groan of the day: Desktop publishing prints the news.
Sources: Scouting America: Communication
Short answer: A script and program, then serve as master of ceremonies
Write the script, prepare the program, and serve as master of ceremonies after approval.
Groan of the day: A good campfire program has a script.
Sources: Scouting America: Communication
Short answer: The education, training, and experience required
Pick a communication career and find out the education, training, and experience it requires.
Groan of the day: Career research trains your future.
Sources: Scouting America: Communication
Short answer: How bodily behavior conveys information
Kinesics studies body language, including gestures, postures, and facial expressions.
Groan of the day: Body language has no grammar!
Sources: Communication
Short answer: Eye contact and gaze
Oculesics is a subcategory of kinesics covering eye contact, gaze, and blink rate.
Groan of the day: Eye contact is a real eye-opener!
Sources: Communication
The whole guide on one screen. Screenshot it, print it, stick it on the fridge.
Think of your answer first, then peek.
Decode it to understand it. The receiver decodes the message to understand what the sender meant.
Using sign language. Verbal communication uses language, and sign languages are a form of verbal communication.
A feedback loop. Interaction models include feedback, showing communication as two-way with turns.
They release volatile organic compounds. Maple trees release volatile organic compounds that warn neighboring plants of herbivore attack.
Reasons the audience would want to hear the person. An introduction should include reasons the audience would want to hear the guest speaker.
Read a chapter, then play the deck and see how much stuck.
This guide covers the 50 free cards. The other 39 are in the game for members.
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