Communication Overview and Types

Communication Overview

• Communication is the process of transferring messages from a source to a receiver.
• Rogers and Shoemaker defined communication as the process by which messages are transferred from source to receiver.

Types of Communication

One-Way Communication

• One-way communication lacks feedback from the receiver.
• An example is a teacher lecturing to students.

Two-Way Communication

• Two-way communication includes active feedback from the receiver to the sender.
• It is essential for ensuring the receiver understands the message as intended.

Verbal Communication

• Verbal communication uses symbols with commonly understood meanings.
• Includes oral and written forms.

Oral Communication

• Information is exchanged through spoken words.

Written Communication

• Information is exchanged through written or printed words.

Functions of Verbal Communication

• Organizing and controlling behavior and events
• Completing tasks.
• Building and maintaining relationships.
• Satisfying personal needs.
• Acquiring knowledge.
• Expressing events and knowledge.

Nonverbal Communication (NVC)

• Nonverbal communication transmits meaning apart from written or spoken words.
• Communication cues include facial expressions, body posture, kinesics, chronemics, proxemics, and appearance.

Functions of Nonverbal Communication

• Strengthening
• Complementing
• Contradicting
• Controlling
• Repeating
• Replacing

Kinesics

• The study of body movements to interpret inner emotions.

Facial Expressions

• Facial expressions convey emotions (e.g., happiness, sadness, anger).

Gestures

• Body movements communicate a variety of emotions.

Posture

• Body positioning can communicate emotions (e.g., confidence, discomfort).

Proxemics

• The study of personal space, including intimate, personal, social, and public.

Paralanguage

• Paralanguage studies voice quality, volume, speed, and spoken manner.
• A shaky voice may indicate nervousness, while a clear voice may indicate confidence.

Formal Communication

• Structured communication based on organizational hierarchy and authority.

Types of Formal Communication

Upward Communication

• Messages flowing from subordinates to superiors.

Downward Communication

• Messages flowing from superiors to subordinates in an organization's hierarchy.

Horizontal Communication

• Messages flowing among colleagues.

Informal Communication

• Less structured and spontaneous communication from daily routines.

Interpersonal Communication

• Communication between two or more individuals. It is essential to everyday life.

Intrapersonal Communication

• Internal dialogue within an individual’s mind. May be clear or confused depending on the individual.