Communication

Question 1

What is communication?

Answer 1

Communication is any process in which people share information, ideas and feelings.

Question 2

What are some elements of communication?

Answer 2

• Sender
• Receiver
• Noise
• Message
• Feedback
• Channel

Question 3

The receiver is…

Answer 3

The person to whom the message is sent.

Question 4

The sender is…

Answer 4

The person who wishes to convey an idea.

Question 5

The message is…

Answer 5

The tangible form of the idea.

Question 6

The channel is…

Answer 6

The means by which a message is sent.

Question 7

The feedback is…

Answer 7

The final link in the communication process. It occurs when the receiver responds to the sender’s communication in the form of a return message.

Question 8

What is the importance of feedback?

Answer 8

• It facilitates two way communication
• It provides a means of checking how successful we have been in transferring the message initially intended
• It determines whether or not understanding was achieved
• It reduces the possibility of ambiguity, misunderstanding and chaos

Question 9

The element noise is…

Answer 9

Anything that seeks to distort the message.

Question 10

What are some communication channels?

Answer 10

• Written
• Oral
• Visual

Question 11

What are some forms of written communication?

Answer 11

• Letters
• Memorandum
• Minutes
• Reports
• Press release
• Bulletins

Question 12

What are some advantages of written communication?

Answer 12

• Provides written evidence
• Can be dispatched to persons far away
• Can be used for detailed messages
• Can confirm oral messages

Question 13

What are some disadvantages of written communication?

Answer 13

• Can be expensive
• Can be time consuming to create
• Getting instant feedback may not be possible

Question 14

What are some forms of oral communication?

Answer 14

• Face-to-face meetings
• Interviews
• Telephone calls
• Training sessions

Question 15

What are some advantages of oral communication?

Answer 15

• Direct contact
• Benefits from sight, sound and physical proximity
• Allows for instant feedback
• More convincing

Question 16

What are some disadvantages of oral communication?

Answer 16

• More difficult to control
• May not provide adequate time to think things out
• There might not be any written record

Question 17

What are some forms of visual communication?

Answer 17

• Photos
• Film
• Model
• Diagram/ Chart
• Body language

Question 18

What are some advantages of visual communication?

Answer 18

• Illustrates a message through a visual stimulus
• Simplifies written or verbal communication

Question 19

What are some disadvantages of visual communication?

Answer 19

• May be expensive
• May be difficult to interpret by itself
• Requires additional skills of comprehension and interpretation

Question 20

What are electronic communication channels?

Answer 20

These send written, oral, visual messages through electrical means which may be wireless or with cables.

Question 21

What is Informal communication?

Answer 21

Informal communication is not arranged by management and is usually carried on by others lower down in the organization – private conversation on the telephone, secret sign and gestures, rumours or grapevine.