Which of the following is NOT a source variable that influences communication effectiveness?

The correct choice indicates that the code or language used is not classified as a source variable affecting communication effectiveness. In communication theory, source variables refer to characteristics of the communicator that can impact how effectively a message is conveyed and received by an audience. Source variables typically include aspects like the communicator’s knowledge of the subject matter, their communication skills, and their attitude or social status, as these traits influence how messages are framed and understood.

The code or language used in communication, while important, falls under the category of message variables rather than source variables. The effectiveness of communication may certainly depend on the clarity, appropriateness, and comprehensibility of the language; however, this factor pertains more to the construction and delivery of the message itself rather than the individual delivering the message. Thus, it is considered distinct from source variables, highlighting that the communicator's attributes, rather than the technical aspects of the language itself, play a more direct role in shaping communication effectiveness.