Which of the following is NOT a key component of the communication process?

In the context of the communication process, the key components typically include elements such as the sender, encoding, the message, the channel, the receiver, feedback, and noise. Motivation, while a critical aspect that can influence communication, does not serve as a fundamental component within the structural model of communication.

The receiver plays a crucial role, as they are the intended audience of the message. Encoding involves transforming thoughts into a communicable format, which is essential for the message to be understood correctly. Feedback refers to the responses from the receiver back to the sender, indicating whether the message was understood effectively and allowing for adjustments to be made in future communications.

Motivation may impact how one communicates and their willingness to engage in the process, but it does not fit as a direct component of the communication model itself. Therefore, the correct choice highlights an element that, while important in a broader context of communication effectiveness, is not central to the basic structure of the communication process.