1.

7 major elements of communication

(1) Sender:

The person who intends to convey the message with the intention of passing information and
ideas to others is known as sender or communicator.

(2) Ideas:
This is the subject matter of the communication. This may be an opinion, attitude, feelings,
views, orders, or suggestions.

(3) Encoding:
Since the subject matter of communication is theoretical and intangible, its further passing
requires use of certain symbols such as words, actions or pictures etc. Conversion of subject
matter into these symbols is the process of encoding.

(4) Communication Channel:

The person who is interested in communicating has to choose the channel for sending the
required information, ideas etc. This information is transmitted to the receiver through certain
channels which may be either formal or informal.

(5) Receiver:
Receiver is the person who receives the message or for whom the message is meant for. It is the
receiver who tries to understand the message in the best possible manner in achieving the
desired objectives.

(6) Decoding:
The person who receives the message or symbol from the communicator tries to convert the
same in such a way so that he may extract its meaning to his complete understanding.

(7) Feedback:
Feedback is the process of ensuring that the receiver has received the message and understood
in the same sense as sender meant it..

2. 11 Major Barriers of Communication

Answer: Physical Barriers:
A communication is a two-way process, distance between the sender and the receiver of the
message is an important barrier to communication. Noise and environmental factors also
block communication.
Personal Barriers:
Personal factors like difference in judgment, social values, inferiority complex, bias, attitude,
pressure of time, inability to communicate, etc.
Semantic or Language Barriers:
 Semantic is the science of meaning. The same words and symbols carry different meanings
to different people. Difficulties in communication arise when the sender and the receiver of
the message use words or symbols in different senses.
Status Barriers (Superior-Subordinate Relationship):
Status or position in the hierarchy of an organization is one of the fundamental barriers that
obstructs free flow of information.
Organizational Structure Barriers:
Effective communication largely depends upon sound organizational structure. If the
structure is complex involving several layers of management, the breakdown or distortion in
communication wall arise.
Barriers Due to Inadequate Attention:
Inadequate attention to the message makes communication less effective and the message
is likely to be misunderstood.
Premature Evaluation:
Some people have the tendency to form a judgment before listening to the entire message.
This is known as premature evaluation.
Emotional Attitude:
Barriers may also arise due to emotional attitude because when emotions are strong, it is
difficult to know the frame of mind of other person or group.
Resistance to Change:
It is a general tendency of human beings to stick to old and customary patterns of life. They
may resist change to maintain status quo.
Barriers Due to Lack of Mutual Trust:
Communication means sharing of ideas in common. “When we communicate, we are trying
to establish a commonness.” Thus, one will freely transfer information and understanding
with another only when there is mutual trust between the two.
Other Barriers:
There may be many other barriers, such as un-clarified assumptions, lack of ability to
communicate, mirage of too much knowledge of closed minds, communication overload,
shortage of time, etc., which cause distortion or obstruction in the free flow of
communication and thus make it ineffective.

3. 4 Main Types of Communication

Answer: 1. VERBAL COMMUNICATION

Verbal communication seems like the most obvious of the different types of communication.
It utilizes the spoken word, either face-to-face or remotely. Verbal communication is
essential to most interactions, but there are other nonverbal cues that help provide
additional context to the words themselves. Pairing nonverbal communication with the
spoken word provides a more nuanced message.

2. NONVERBAL CUES SPEAK VOLUMES

Nonverbal communication provides some insight into a speaker’s word choice. Sarcasm,
complacency, deception or genuineness occur within nonverbal communication. These
things are often communicated through facial expressions, hand gestures, posture and even
appearance, all of which can convey something about the speaker. For instance, a
disheveled speaker with wrinkled clothes and poor posture would communicate a lack of
confidence or expertise. A speaker with a nice suit, who stood up straight and spoke clearly,
may appear more serious or knowledgeable.

3. VISUAL COMMUNICATION