INTRODUCTION TO

COMMUNICATION

3 Essential Points To Consider When Defining
Communication:
i. It involves people by understanding how people relate
to each other.
ii. It involves shared meaning where people must agree
on the definition of the terms they are using; and
iii. It is symbolic gestures, sounds, letters, numbers and
words can also represent ideas for communicating.

DEFINITION
COMMUNICATION is

A process where messages are transferred from
a sender to a receiver, through the use of a
common system, with the intention of
influencing one another.
COMMUNICATION GROUPS
Intrapersonal communication
- comm. involving 1 indiv thinking or talking to
him/herself
Interpersonal communication
- comm. Involving at least 2 to 20 indivs.
Group communication
- comm involving more than 20 indivs in close
proximity
Mass communication
- involves a communicator (maybe one or more
individuals) with large number of people using a mass
medium.
THE THEORY AND PROCESS OF
COMMUNICATION
CONCEIVES
MESSAGE
DECODES
MESSAGE
INTERPRETS
MESSAGE
SELECTS
COMMUNICATION
MEDIUM
ENCODES
MESSAGE
SUPPLIES
FEEDBACK
Advantages and Disadvantages of the
Medium of Communication
Medium Advantages Disadvantages
Written communication

e.g. letter
memorandum
report
minutes
article
press release



provides written record
proof of despatch and receipt
can rely complex ideas
provides analysis, evaluation,
summary
easily duplicated
able to confirm, interpret, clarity
oral communication
a basis of contract or agreement
mass distribution/ audience
used for future reference



time consuming
expensive
communication tends to be
formal and impersonal
high possibility of
misinterpretation
low possibility of
misinterpretation
low possibility of instant
feedback
difficult to modify
non room for exchange of
ideas/ views

Advantages and Disadvantages of the
Medium of Communication cont
Medium Advantages Disadvantages
Oral/verbal
communication

e.g. face to face
interview
meeting
oral briefing
assembly
telephone call
conference
training session




direct medium
physical nearness (e.g. within sight
and sound of sender and receiver)
instant exchange of ideas
easier to convince/ persuada
allows contribution and participation
pf all present
ability to view facial expression/
attitudes



difficult to hold your stand when
opposed
difficult to control large crowds
disputes may arise
low quality of decisions made
(lack of time)
no written evidence

Medium Advantages Disadvantages
Non-verbal communication

e.g. body language
gesture
posture
diagram
chart
table
graph
photograph
film slide
model



reinforces oral and written
communication
provides additional visual
stimulus
simplifies written or spoken
words
quantifies ideas in number
forms
illustrates techniques and
procedures
provides visual records


difficult to interpret without
written or spoken words
require skills in understanding
and defining
expensive to produce (e.g.
posters)
high cost of distribution
no time for evaluation
Advantages and Disadvantages of the
Medium of Communication cont