Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal communication is the process of exchange of information, ideas, feelings and

meaning between two or more people through verbal and/or non-verbal methods.

It often includes face-to-face exchange of messages, which may take form of a certain tone
of voice, facial expressions, body language and gestures. The level of one’s interpersonal
communication skills is measured through the effectiveness of meaning transferred
through the message.

Commonly used interpersonal communication within a business organization include

water cooler talks, client meetings, employee performance reviews and project discussions.
But, of course, online conversation is a large part of people’s interpersonal experience
today.

Core concepts

Communication is taking place when two or more people dwelling in the same place are
aware of each other’s presence. The communication may be subtle or unintentional and
doesn’t necessarily needs to be verbal.

Although no communication may be intended, non-verbal methods such as posture and

facial expression relay messages from one person to another. Interpersonal communication
is largely dyadic in nature (occurring between two people) but is often extended to a small
group such as family.

Interpersonal communication involves interdependent people

Interpersonal communication is the communication where two or more people are

connected in some way. It would include the exchange between a teacher and their
students, a married couple, a boss and an intern and so on.

The people involved in the communication are interdependent, meaning the action of one
person has effects on the other person. Example: A child’s temper tantrum will affect his
parents and siblings.

Interpersonal communication essentially defines a relationship

Interpersonal communication is relational in nature; it takes place in a relationship and the

way we communicate depends on the kind of relationship we have with the other
person. Example: You wouldn’t call your boss by their nickname, but you would for a
sibling or a friend.

The kind of communication can range from relatively impersonal to highly

personal. Example: You wouldn’t gossip about your ex with your boss, but would with a
friend.
Elements of interpersonal communication

Source-Receiver

Source refers to the party that formulates and sends messages while receiver receives and
understands messages. The term source-receiver emphasizes the dual role of a person as a
source and receiver.

Messages

For interpersonal communication to exist, messages must be sent and received. In face-to-
face communication, verbal and non-verbal messages are exchanged through speech, facial
expressions, body movements and gestures. In online communication, messages are
communicated with words, emoticons, photos, videos and audios.
Feedback

Feedback conveys information about the messages sent. In face-to-face communication,

nods of agreement, smiles, puzzled looks, confusion etc are feedback and can be monitored
as we are speaking. In online communication, feedback is delayed.

Channel

Channel refers to the medium between source and receiver through which messages pass.
Messages are transferred through multiple channels. For example, in face-to-face
communication, messages are conveyed through voice as well as gestures.

Noise

Noise refers to any interference faced while receiving a message. It can be physical,
physiological, psychological or semantic. Noise cannot be eliminated completely but it can
be reduced.

Context

Every communication takes place within a context. Context refers to an environment that
influences the forms and content of communication.

Types of interpersonal communication

In a broad sense, interpersonal communication is categorized into two types.

Verbal communication

Verbal communication includes the exchange done with spoken words. This includes what
we say and how.

According to Albert Mehrabian, words (what we say) make up only 7% of our

communication while our tone of voice, pauses, rhythm etc (how we say) make up 38% of
our communication. The latter is also known as para-verbal communication.

Non-verbal communication

Non-verbal communication, on the other hand, constitutes 55% of our interpersonal

communication. Our action speaks volume and is a key aspect in communication. Even
when we are silent, we are communicating a message.

When it comes to online non-verbal conversation, interpersonal communication may be

asynchronous or synchronous.
Asynchronous communication means the conversation doesn’t take place in real
time. Example: The sender sends an email. The receiver may receive it a week later and
take even longer to reply.

Synchronous communication happens when the receiver responds as soon as they receive
the message from the sender. They interact in real time. Example: Facetime, Facebook
messaging

Models of Communication

Communication models are systematic representations of the process, which helps

in understanding how communication works can be done. 

Types of Communication Model

There are three general types of communication models in which all other
communication models are mostly categorized.

Linear Model of Communication

Linear model of communication is a simple one way communication model. The
message flows in a straight line from sender to the receiver. There is no concept of
feedback. The only task that a receiver does here is to receive the message.
Different models that follow linear model of communication are:
 Lasswell’s Model

 Aristotle’s Model
 Shannon Weaver Model
 Berlo’s S-M-C-R Model
Transactional Model of Communication
In transactional model, senders and receivers both are known as communicators
and both play equally important role in communication. Transactional model relates
communication with social reality, cultural up-bringing and relational context
(relationships). Non-verbal feedback like gestures, body language, is also considered
as feedback in this model. Different models that follow transactional model of
communication are:
 Barnlund’s Transactional Model
 Helical Model
 Becker’s Mosaic Model
Interactive Model of Communication
Interactive model or convergence model is similar to transactional model as they are
both two way communication model. But, interactive model is mostly used for new
media like internet. Here, people can respond to any mass communications like
videos, news, etc. People can exchange their views and ideas. Different models that
follow interactive model of communication are:
 Schramm’s Interactive Model

Other Communication Models

Dance’s Helical Spiral of Communication
In 1967, Dance made a communication model based on a helix known as helical
model. He explains how a child learns to communicate and the child grows up and
continues to communicate. Communication depends on previous experiences and
activities of the speaker according to this model.
Westley and MacLean’s Conceptual Model
Westley and MacLean’s model explains the difference between interpersonal and
mass communication as feedback. Feedback can be direct in interpersonal
communication whereas indirect in mass communication. According to this model,
communication starts from the environment and not when the message is spoken
or shown.