Which of the following is not an element in the communication process?

The element identified as not part of the communication process is societal norms. In the communication process, key components include the sender, receiver, and the message being transmitted. The sender initiates the communication, the receiver is the individual or audience who interprets the message, and the message itself is the content conveyed from the sender to the receiver.

While societal norms can influence communication by shaping how messages are framed and interpreted, they are not considered an inherent part of the communication process itself. Instead, they serve more as an external influence on communication, affecting how communicators and audiences perceive and respond to messages. This distinction is important as it highlights that the core elements of communication are focused on the participants directly involved in the exchange of information.