Types of Communication

Types of Communication

People in managerial roles have many opportunities to communicate with others.
Communication can be classified in the following different ways.

• Intrapersonal Communication: When people talk to themselves, communication
takes place within the brain. It embraces their thoughts, experiences and perceptions
during a communication event. Behavior responses on all other levels of communication essentially begin on intrapersonal level. On this level, the individual forms personal rules and patterns of communication. Intrapersonal communication encompasses:
• Sense-making e.g. interpreting maps, texts, signs, and symbols
• Interpreting non-verbal communication e.g. gestures, eye contact
• Communication between body parts; e.g. “My stomach is telling me it’s time
for lunch.”
• Day-dreaming
• Nocturnal dreaming and
• Many others...
• Interpersonal Communication: Interpersonal communication is also referred to
as dyadic communication, or communication between two individuals. This type
of communication can occur in both a one-on-one and a group setting. This also
means being able to handle different people in different situations and making people
feel at ease. Gestures such as eye contact, body movement, and hand gestures
are also part of interpersonal communication. The most common functions of
interpersonal communication are listening, talking and conflict resolution. Types of
interpersonal communication vary from verbal to non-verbal and from situation to
situation. Interpersonal communication involves face-to-face communication in a
way that accomplishes the purpose and is appropriate.

• Small Group Communication: Small group communication is an interaction process that occurs among three or more people interacting in an attempt to achieve commonly recognized goals either face-to-face or through mediated forms. This is sometimes included in the interpersonal level — the most obvious difference is the number of persons involved in the process. The small group may be a family of three talking at supper, or a meeting of an organization with just a few members.

• Public Communication or Public Speaking: The speaker sends messages to an audience, which is not identified as individuals. Unlike the previous levels, the speaker is doing most, if not all, of the talking.

• Mass Communication: 

Mass communication occurs when a small number of people send messages to a large anonymous and usually heterogeneous audience using specialized communication media. It represents the creation and sending of homogeneous message to a large heterogeneous audience through the media.

• Non-Verbal Communication: In non-verbal communication, people send
messages to each other without talking. They communicate through facial
expressions, head positions, arm and hand movements, body posture, and
positioning of legs and feet. How people use “space” also transmits a message.
By being aware of non-verbal communication, one can interpret the signals of others,
or send signals to others.

Awareness of non-verbal communication helps people:
• Project an image of confidence and knowledge.
• Demonstrate power or influence
• Express sincerity, interest and cooperativeness.
• Create trust.
• Recognize personal tension in self and others.
• Identify discrepancies between what people are saying and what they are
actually thinking.
• Change behavior and environment to encourage productive discussion.

Three Myths about Communication

• Myth One: Communication is the magical cure for all our woes - a Panacea
• Myth Two: Communication Can Break Down (here can be a difference of opinion
• but communication cannot break down, machines break down)
• Myth Three: Communication is Merely Skill Building. Communication is a complex
process that must be taken and understood as a whole