TYPES OF COMMUNICATION

There are four types or categories

1. interpersonal
2. intrapersonal
3. Group communication
4. Mass communication

1. Interpersonal – Interpersonal communication is between two persons. It can be

i.                 Face to face

ii.               Machine assisted

Face to face – interpersonal communication means face to face communication, dialogue or conversation between two people without the intervention of machines. This conversation is direct, personal and intimate. In such communication the sender and the receiver are generally within one anothers physical presence and the communication is not only by word of mouth but also by facial expressions, gestures, etc. e.g. talking to your parents at home or talking to your friends, classmates or teacher in college, talking to a doctor or shopkeeper.

Machine assisted – in this communication two or more persons communicate with the help of a mechanical or an electronic device. E.g. talking on phone or cell phone, pager, internet, fax etc.

Merits and demerits of face to face to communication

-        This communication does not cost anything

-        Feed back is immediate

-        It is more persuasive and influential because it involves not only words and gestures but also expressions and human emotions. E.g. companies employees, door to door sales man for advertising their product.

-        It has minimum disturbance but to linguistic barriers face to face communication may not be effected.

Merits and demerits of machine assisted communication

-        In case of defect in machine there will be disturbance and noise

-        The machine has to be purchased

-        Feedback may not be immediate depending on availability of the receiver

-        Machine assisted communication depends on energy sources like electricity, light, sound, papers, etc.

-        If there is a scarcity there cannot be machine assisted, interpersonal communication

Role of interpersonal communication in mass communication

Interpersonal communication plays an important role in mass communication. It becomes the first source of information in significant events, local news as well as national news is easily carried by word of mouth

2. Intrapersonal – Talking to oneself

Sometimes we talk to ourselves when we are alone or when we dream.

Day dreams or night dreams – in intrapersonal communication a person either dreams, reflects, contemplates or meditates. It can also take place according to William E Francois, ‘ If it involves internal transmission by means of signs or symbols and such internalization may be more common than most of tus imagine’. Our conversation with the divine or god is said to be intrapersonal communication. Such experience can be enjoyed in a temple, mosques, church, in a solitary place or in natural surrounding.

3. Group communication – a group is few people interacting with one another in such a way that each person influences and is influenced by other persons. E.g. when there is a domestic problem, family members get together and solve it. There are various kinds of group communication.

i.                 face to face

ii.               Machine assisted group communication

        

           A healthy combination of both may be heard or watched audio visually on

           radio, television with serials like national geographic etc. In group communication, small or big groups come together for a specific objective they give ideas, discuss, discover solutions to problems. Committees, conferences where people interact with one another are examples of group communication.

    

          Merits and demerits of group communication

-        benefits from combined experiences which provide better understanding as well as information to a group

-        greater chances of misunderstanding if there is no moderator or chair person to guide the group

-        feed back is difficult to measure as it takes time to clarify meanings and responses.

4. Mass Communication – means communicating with thousands of people and sharing with them views, ideas, information, experiences and entertainment through a network of communication – radio, television, cinemas, internet, mobile phones, etc.

      Mass communication is defined as ‘ a process by which a complex organization with the aid of one or two machines producers and transmits public messages that are directed at large audiences’ – Joseph Dominic

         Need and significance of mass communication in modern society

-        Different outlooks and lifestyles of the people – the 20^th century has brought about a total transformation.

-        Government programs and policies can be communicated and the follow up action can be made known to the people trhough mass media

-        Complaints of the people can be addressed through mass media

-        Today mass communication is being studied as an independent discipline which has influence on sociology, economics, politics, literature, performing arts and electronic media which makes it both interesting as well as instructive

-        Corruptive and constructive influence on young minds – Mass communication can be a servant as well as a master and it depends on the individual who makes use of it.  E.g. Films on TV as well as other programs can be used to increase thinking and imagination but the adverse effect is seen on younger generations where crime rate has increased.

-        Educative values or social progressive quality of mass media – it plays a dynamic role in bringing about changes in society. The technical means may be used for constructive or destructive purposes for which media itself cannot be blamed.