Unit 1: Communication, Process, Principles

and Ethics
Chapter 1: Lesson B (Types of Communication: According to Mode, Context
and Purpose)
This continuation of the chapter tackles the different types of communication according to mode, context and purpose,
also some of its advantages and disadvantages.

Types of Communication

Messages can be imparted across many types, according to the mode of communication, context as well as the
purpose. But one thing that’s needed to be emphasized is that while communication is often thought of as
verbal, non-verbal mode, is as important as it strengthens one’s message.

The following are the type of communication according to mode:

a. Verbal Communication
b. Non-verbal

A. Verbal Communication
• Message is conveyed orally
• Verbal contact is achieved by speech, voice, or a piece of paper
• Goal of this kind of communication is to make people understand what we are trying to convey

Types of Verbal Communication

• Oral Communication

o Thru oral speech

o Includes face-to-face conversations, speech, telephone conversation, video, radio, and TV
o Communication is influence by volume, speed and clarity of speech

Advantages Disadvantages
o Quickness in exchange of 1. Unfit for lengthy message
ideas 2. Unfit for policy matters
o Flexible 3. Lack of written proof
o Personal touch 4. Lack of clarity
o Removal of misunderstanding 5. Misuse of time
6. Presence of both the parties’ necessary
 • Written Communication

o Signs and symbols are used to communicate in written communication

o Messages can be sent via email, letter, report, memo, etc.
o Influenced by vocabulary and grammar used in the style of writing, the precision and the
clarity of the language used

Advantages
o Suitable for lengthy Disadvantage
message
o Unfit for uneducated persons
o Written proof
o Lack of secrecy
o Clear message
o No quick feedback
o Less expensive method
o Presence of both parties
o True effective

B. Non-Verbal Communication

• A communication through signs and symbols.

• It can go without verbal communication, but the latter can’t go without the other.
• It is considered to be an effective communication, because the tone of voice and body language can
convey the message effectively rather than just verbally.

o Facial Expression
o Eye
o Gestures
o Body language
o Chronemics
o Proxemics
o Personal appearance
o Haptics

• Facial Expression
- by looking at a person’s face is the first thing we see, even before we hear what they have to say
- through it we can display or recognize joy, sorrow, rage, and fear and much more
• Eyes
- Plays an important role in non-verbal communication
- A dangerous look will tell you that someone is upset and not comfortable with you
• Gesture
- Delivery of gestures an signals is an effective way to express meaning without words
- Popular gesture movements include waves, pointing, and the use of fingers to signify quantitative
number.
- Other gestures are arbitrary and cultural

• Body language and posture

- May also convey a lot of details
- Although these actions signify feelings and attitudes, research indicates that body language is
much more nuanced and less definite than commonly believed

• Haptics
- Communication by contact is another essential non-verbal action
- Examples are pat on the back/head, shake hands, high five, fist bump

• Personal Appearance
- Think about the assumptions you make about someone based on their appearance, such initial
impressions are significant which is why experts recommend that job seekers dress appropriately
for interviews with potential employers.
- Researchers have found out that appearances can play a role on how people are viewed, and how
much they receive. In the 1996 study showed that lawyers considered more attractive than their
colleagues paid almost 15% more than those considered less attractive.
- Culture is an important influence on how beauty is judged. While thinness appeared to be valued in
western cultures, some African cultures attribute full-figure bodies to better health, income and
social status.

• Proxemics
- to communicate while keeping distance
- the distance we need and the amount of space we
consider as belonging to us are determined by a variety
of factors including; social norms, situational factors,
personality, characteristics and familiarity
- there are different types of spaces determined by the
measurement of distance
 • Chronemics
- The use of time in non-verbal communication
- How time is used and interpreted
- Example, as for punctuality/patience to wait is concerned, time can be used as a status predictor. In
most industries, the boss might interrupt the process of holding some kind of meeting in the
middle of the working day, so the average workers will have to make an appointment to see the
boss.
- Speed of the speech or how long people are able to listen can have a big impact on the
effectiveness of verbal message

Types of Communication According to Context

• Intrapersonal Communication
- a communication that happens in your own mind

• Interpersonal Communication
- a communication between two or more people

Types of Interpersonal Communication

a. Dyadic – communication between two individuals in a personal relationship built over time and
involves their thoughts and feelings at a certain level
b. Small Group – communication within formal or informal groups or teams. A group interaction that
results in decision making, problem-solving and discussion within an organization
c. Public – sender-focused mode of communication in which one person is usually responsible for
transferring information to an audience; compared to interpersonal and group communication,
public communication is the most deliberate, structured and goal-oriented mode of communication
d. Mass – a public communication conveyed to a lot of people by print or electronic media like
newspapers and magazines; unlike interpersonal, group and public communication, there is no
immediate verbal and non-verbal feedback in mass communication
Types of Communication According to Purpose
1. Formal Communication
• Follows strict protocols when it comes to flow
• Message passes from one official channel to the next
• This type of communication is usually found in corporate settings
For instance: in a newsroom, the staff writer can’t go directly to the editor-in-chief without passing
though the section heads first, similarly, the CEO of the company could not go directly to the rank-
and-fillers but instead relies on managers and department heads to implement company policies

• Sometimes be in a form of an oral instruction, a memo, an inter-office letter, an organization e-

mail, or any other form agreed upon by the organization itself, after communication is sent, this is
filed an recorded in the office
• Language is often business-like
• Formal communication can be of two-kinds: vertical and horizontal

1.1 Vertical Communication

• Any type that could either go upward (from staff to boss) or downward (from manager to employee)
Examples: an employee requesting for a loan, asking permission for a leave of absence or making a
progress report about the latest project

• Downward information may include managers firing of memos of instruction for an implementation of
a project, a letter of information about a new inter-company policy, or a notice of meeting for a
general assembly

1.2 Horizontal Communication

• Is lateral communication or communication between office or communication between office or

individuals who are considered in the same level in an organization. A department-to-department
correspondence, for instance, or a lunch meeting among managers are both considered lateral or
horizontal

2. Informal Communication
• Any type of communication that is done outside of the context of an organization is considered
informal. Oftentimes unofficial, it is referred to as the “grapevine”.
• Very difficult to put out or get straight once it is spread haphazardly; the facts could also get
distorted, leading to office tension and an unproductive work environment