Career and Technical Education Practice Exam 2026 – Comprehensive Study Guide

Receiving a message involves several cognitive and perceptual processes. A person must first sense the presence of the message, meaning they need to detect it through their senses. This could involve seeing, hearing, or otherwise perceiving the message in some form. Additionally, perceiving the message as actual and relevant is essential; without this step, the message may go unnoticed or be disregarded.

Selecting it from other competing messages refers to the ability to filter through various stimuli and focus on the intended message, which is crucial in our often overwhelming sensory environment.

Although comprehension of the message is important for effective communication, it occurs after the act of receiving the message. It is not a prerequisite for receiving; one can receive a message without fully understanding it. This distinguishes comprehension from the essential steps of receiving a message, making it the exception.