What is communication?

Communication can be defined as sharing of information, ideas and attitudes of feelings with the help of words, tones and behavior. It is vital for gaining knowledge, to get help from others, to learn and acquire skills and to pass your own knowledge to others. Proper communication enables you to persuade or negotiate in a professional setup. You can easily pass your ideas to others because of your effective communication skills.

Why communication is difficult?

Communication depends on several factors. If facts are not understood properly then it should be taken into consideration that the communicator is having some problem in conveying his/her ideas to the counterpart. Because of the communicator’s improper body language or wrong attitude of the feeling towards the target person it may lead to a situation where it is impossible to deliver ideas without any hassles.

Communication Process:
Sender’s ideas
Conversion in words (decoding)
Transmission (Channels)
Receiver’s senses
Receiver’s understanding

The message:
Receiver’s Fillers Sender / Transmitter Filters
Facts
Perceive feelings Visuals Facts
Message attitudes Tones Feelings
Words Attitudes

Barriers to communication

1. Cross cultural barriers
2. Stereotypes and myths
3. Misinterpretation and selection
4. Lack of trust

How to Avoid Barriers?

1. Listening
2. Concentrating
3. Consensus

Types of Communication

1. Interpersonal Communication
2. Intrapersonal Communication
3. Group Communication
4. Mass Communication

1. Interpersonal Communication:

It is the communication that takes places between two people. For example if Andy is taking with Jack, then the communication taking place is said to be “Interpersonal” communication. It is a type of communication continues based on the feedback the participants give and receive.

(Feedback: - Any verbal or non-verbal cue that facilitates the communication process. For example nodding of head, saying ‘yes’ when the other person is taking etc,.)

2. Intrapersonal Communication:

It is the communication-taking place within one self. It is usually identified with ones thought process. For example when a person does some introspection, he is said to be involved in interpersonal communication. When a person interacts with himself and calculating his thoughts, is known as Intrapersonal Communication

3. Group Communication:

When groups of people interact together for a common issue of purpose. E.g. Meeting among Principal and Professors. It is the communication-taking place within a relatively small group. The binding factor is that, it is a homogeneous group. People coming together for a common purpose or with similar objectives. For example the communication-taking place inside a classroom is said to be Group communication, here the provision for Feedback is also immediate.

4. Mass Communication:

It is the communication-taking place within a relatively large group. Basic advantage of mass medium / communication is its reach. Mass communication reaches a very large population at the same time. For example communication through TV or Radio is Mass Communication.

The disadvantage of Mass communication is that the provision for feedback is negligible and always delayed. It is a one way communication and ideas presented cannot be checked of clarified.