Types of Communication

Types of Communication Based on media used

Media or channel is the means to transfer the messages from sender to the receiver. The communication is classified into two types based on media used in the process of communication.

1. Verbal Communication

Verbal communication is the expression or exchange of information or messages through written or oral words. Forms of verbal communication are as follows:

1. Oral Communication

Oral communication is the process of communication in which message or information is exchanged or communicated between sender and receiver through the words. It can be divided into two ways: a. speaking b. Listening. The forms of oral communication are face to face conversation, telephone or mobile, conference, meetings, interviews.

     2. Written Communication

In Written communication the messages or information is exchanged or communicated between sender and receiver through written form. It can be divided into two ways: a. writing b. Reading. The forms of written communication are newspaper, letter, report, memo, mail, advertisement, note etc.2

2. Nonverbal communication 

Nonverbal communication  the expression or exchange of information or messages without any spoken or written word.

The forms of non-verbal communications are as follows:

• Kinesics
• Proxemics
• Haptics
• Chronemics
• Appearance
• Paralanguage

Nonverbal Communication

The ability to communicate effectively is the he key to success in both

personal and professional relationships. It’s not the words that are used but

the nonverbal cues or “ body language” speaks louder than words.

Body language is the use of gestures, postures, behavior, expressions, and mannerisms to communicate without words.

It is instinctive in nature and less conscious and subtle .

It is complementary to verbal communication.

It is culture, gender and profession specific

Research shows that the percentage of various types of communication is Nonverbal communication

 55%,Verbal Communication 7%, Paralanguage 38% as mentioned in the diagram:

 

The nonverbal communication is the expression of the way one listens, looks, moves, and reacts---- whether or not one cares or is truthful. When your nonverbal signals are in sync with your words, there is the enhancement of mutual trust, clarity, and rapport. When they don’t, it leads to tension, mistrust, and confusion.

In order to become an effective communicator, it’s important to be more sensitive not only to the body language and nonverbal cues of others, but also to your own.

It can be observed that the substantial portion of our communication is nonverbal. Experts have found that daily we respond to thousands of nonverbal cues and behaviors including postures, facial expressions, eye gaze, gestures, and tone of voice.

From our handshakes to our hairstyles, nonverbal details reveal who we are and impact how we relate to other people.

Types of Nonverbal Communication

Scientific research on nonverbal communication and behavior began with the publication of Charles Darwin's The Expression of the Emotions in Man and Animals in 1872.

 

While these signals are so subtle that we are not consciously aware of them. The research has identified the following types of nonverbal communication.

a)Kinesics: The study of body language-Postures and body shape, Gestures, Facial expressions

b)Occulesics: The study of Eye contact

c)Haptics: The study of touch

d)Proxemics: The study of space in interpersonal communication

e)Paralanguage: The study of voice quality, tone, pitch

f)Chronemics: The study of time factor

g)Appearance: The study of clothing, adornment

a)Kinesics

The study of body language-Postures and body shape, Gestures, Facial expressions.

Postures and body shape

The posture means the way we hold our body in a particular situation, moment, direction and the degree of openness.

The way we stand, sit and walk forms postures in human beings. The postures are sitting postures, walking postures and walking postures. The Postures are helpful in finding out the degree of attention or involvement, status differences and affection between sender and receiver.

If there is postural echo in communication, it means complete agreement or win-win situation. An upright posture enhances the appearance and a sense of confidence.

b)Occulesics :

• The study of Eye contact is called as occulesics.
• The eye contact is an especially important type of nonverbal communication. The way you look at someone can communicate many things including interest, affection, hostility, or attraction.
• Eye contact is also important in maintaining the flow of conversation and for gauging the other person’s interest and response.

The eye contact is variedly established. However there are three prominent ways to establish the eye contact are:

i.Formal Gaze: Focus on forehead of the person in front of the speaker

ii.Informal Gaze: Focus on middle part of the face i.e. area between eyebrows and lips of the person in front of the speaker

iii.Personal Gaze: Focus on middle part of the body or torso of the person in front of the speaker

 

Eye contact is established for

• Expressing feelings
• Showing attention and interest
• Inviting and controlling interaction
• Domineering, threatening and influencing others
• Providing feedback during speech
• Revealing attitudes

c)Haptics

The study of touch is called as Haptics.

We communicate a great deal through touch. For instance handshake, a warm bear hug, a patronizing pat on the head, or a controlling grip on the arm.

d)Proxemics

The study of space in interpersonal communication is called proxemics.

We need physical space although the need of space differs as per the culture, the situation and the closeness of the relationship.

One can use physical space to communicate different nonverbal messages such as signals of intimacy and affection, aggression or dominance.

Proxemics can be categorized in four types of zones

Intimate zone

Able to touch each other—0 to 0.5 m

Personal zone

Able to shake hands—0.5 to 1.2 m

Social zone

Social or business oriented—1.2 m to 3 m

Public zone

Restricting intruders over 3 m

This space is often referred as personal space and is influenced by a number of factors including social norms, cultural expectations, situational factors, personality characteristics, and level of familiarity.

 

e) Paralanguage

The study of paralanguage deals with non verbal qualities of speech which include pitch, amplitude, rate, and voice quality.

The paralanguage includes

• Articulation
• Pronunciation
• Pitch and tone
• Pauses and vocal qualities

Qualities of Effective speech

• Pitch variation
• Speaking speed
• Appropriate pauses
• Fluency
• Voice modulation

f)Chronemics

• The study of time factor in the process of communication is undertaken in chronemics.
• The way that an individual would perceive and value time, structure our time and react to time is a powerful communication tool.
• Across cultures, time perception plays an important role in the nonverbal communication process.
• Time perceptions include punctuality, willingness to wait, and interactions.
• The use of time can affect lifestyles, daily agendas, speed of speech, movements and how long people are willing to listen.

Time can also be used as an indicator of status. For example, in most companies the boss can interrupt progress to hold an impromptu meeting in the middle of the work day, yet the average worker would have to make an appointment to see the boss. The way different cultures perceive time can influence communication as well.

The Cultures are usually put into two time system categories: monochronic and polychronic.

i)Mono-chronic Time

• A mono-chronic time system means that things are done one at a time and time is segmented into precise, small units.
• Under this system time is scheduled, arranged and managed. The United States is considered as a mono-chronic society

ii)Poly-chronic Time

• A poly-chronic time system is a system where several things can be done at once and a more fluid approach is taken for scheduling time
• Unlike Americans and most northern and western European cultures, Latin American and Arabic cultures use the poly-chronic system of time. These cultures are much less focused on the preciseness of accounting for each and every moment.

j)Appearance

• The study of clothing, adornment is included in appearance. Our choice of colors, clothing, hairstyle, accessories and other factors affecting appearance are also considered a means of nonverbal communication.
• It can be observed that people form their opinions about any individual when they watch you at first time. Then they judge the personality and abilities of that individual based on the appearance.
• Good grooming and a tidy appearance are always preferable whether casually or more formally dressed. It presents a much more professional appearance. Appearance includes dress, hair-style, jewelry, makeup, belt -buckles, accessories, foot-wear and so on.

 

Appearance indicates the degree of importance or interest a person conveys to an occasion. Through uniform, we can identify a student, a doctor, a lawyer, a police officer etc.

In an organization, employee’s dress is keenly observed to see whether it conforms to accepted standards of appearance.

Appearance can be:

• Formal

• Informal

• Occasion Specific--- for Party-festivals-official dinner or lunch- get together

Types of Communication on the basis of channels of communication

On the basis of the status of individuals involved in the communication process and the communication channels, the communication can be categorized as:

• Formal Communication

• Informal Communication

Formal Communication

• Formal communication refers to the flow of official information by the means of proper, predefined channels.
• It needs deliberate efforts to communicate the information properly hence the flow of information is controlled.
• Formal communication is in the form of hierarchical structure and chain of command.
• The structure is from top to down, from higher authorities to subordinates.
• Employees are bound to follow formal communication channels while performing their duties.

Formal communication is considered effective as it is a timely and systematic flow of communication.

In an organizational set up the formal communication can be observed in following forms:

 

a)Upward Communication: 

In upward communication the message is transferred from the subordinates to higher authorities. The communication flows upwards i.e. from the subordinates to the managers in the form of requests, reports, suggestions, complaints and instructions.

b)Downward Communication: 

In downward communication the information is transferred from the management level to the subordinate level. This is the most common form of communication and the information flows downwards i.e. from higher authorities in an organization to the lower levels in the form of reports, emails, letters, manuals etc.

It mainly includes orders and instructions and can either be written or oral depending on the importance of the message and also the status of individuals involved in the communication process.

c)Horizontal or Lateral Communication: 

Horizontal communication refers to the communication among co-workers sharing the same level of profile or colleagues in the organization.

The communication among the managers of various departments such as marketing, finance, production, HR, is the best example of horizontal communication.

d)Diagonal or Crosswise Communication: 

When the employees of different departments at different levels communicate with each other irrespective of the chain of command, such communication is considered as a diagonal or a cross-wise communication. The communication between the floor manager and the sales team is the example of diagonal communication.

 

Informal Communication

• Informal communication is multi-dimensional.
• Informal communication moves freely within the organization and is not bound by pre-defined channels and communication paths.
• Informal communication is particularly fast and far more relational than formal communication.
• It is a very natural form of communication as people interact with each other freely and can talk about a diverse range of topics, often extending outside of their work duties.
• Informal communication in the workplace is often called the ‘grapevine’ and generally begins with employees through social relation.
• Informal communication is considered effective as employees can discuss work-related issues which save the organization’s time and money.
• It also helps to build more productive and healthy relationships in the workforce