Four Types Of Communication
Communication is a process whereby information is encoded and imparted by a sender to a receiver using a channel or medium. The receiver then decodes the message and gives the sender a feedback. Communication is, thus, a process by which we assign and convey meaning in an attempt to create shared understanding. The means of communication could be auditory such as speaking, singing and sometimes tone of voice and non-verbal or physical means such as writing, body language, touch and eye contact.
The process of communication requires a vast repertoire of skills in intrapersonal and interpersonal processing, listening, observing, speaking, questioning, analyzing and evaluating.
Four Types of Communication:
The first two kinds of communication are the verbal and written communication. The verbal or dialogue communication represents a reciprocal conversation between two parties. However, both verbal and written formats of communication are dependent on human language. The human languages can be described as a system of symbols and rules of grammar by the parameters of which the symbols are manipulated. Language is learnt in the human race right through childhood. Most human languages use patterns of sound for symbols, which enable communication with others. There are thousands of human languages that share certain properties.
The third type of communication is the non-verbal communication. This category of communication includes communicating through sending and receiving wordless messages, which are conveyed through facial expressions, eye contact, gestures, posture or body language. In fact, verbal communication may also contain non-verbal elements referred to as paralanguage that comprise of voice quality, intonation, stress, emotion and style of speaking. Similarly, non-verbal elements play a key role in written texts as well in the form of handwriting style and the spatial arrangement of words. Together these three groups form the base of communication. According to research, 55 percent of communication is determined by the body language, 38 percent by the tone of the voice and 7 percent by the content or the words used in the communication process.
The fourth type of communication is the visual communication. As the name suggests, this kind of communication is through visual aid. This method of conveyance of ideas and information is primarily associated with two dimensional images that include signs, typography, drawing, graphic design, illustration, color and electronic resources. This form of communication with visual effect emphasizes on the concept that a visual message with text has a greater power to inform, educate or persuade a person. The most common ways to present information visually are video and television. Here, the focus is on the presentation of text, pictures, diagrams and photographs integrated on a computer display. This category of communication is widely used by graphic designers.
Communication affects the minutest aspect of life. The category could be any but communication on the whole strives towards a common goal. However, the exact percentage of influence may differ from variables such as the listener and the speaker. To improve communication competence, one must be motivated to alter current ways of communicating and be open to learn and develop new skills so that the end result is increased self confidence and stronger relationships that improve both one’s professional and personal life.
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