Communication Flashcards
What is communication?
Communication is any process in which people share information, ideas and feelings.
What are some elements of communication?
- Sender
- Receiver
- Noise
- Message
- Feedback
- Channel
The receiver is…
The person to whom the message is sent.
The sender is…
The person who wishes to convey an idea.
The message is…
The tangible form of the idea.
The channel is…
The means by which a message is sent.
The feedback is…
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.
What is the importance of feedback?
- 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
The element noise is…
Anything that seeks to distort the message.
What are some communication channels?
- Written
- Oral
- Visual
What are some forms of written communication?
- Letters
- Memorandum
- Minutes
- Reports
- Press release
- Bulletins
What are some advantages of written communication?
- Provides written evidence
- Can be dispatched to persons far away
- Can be used for detailed messages
- Can confirm oral messages
What are some disadvantages of written communication?
- Can be expensive
- Can be time consuming to create
- Getting instant feedback may not be possible
What are some forms of oral communication?
- Face-to-face meetings
- Interviews
- Telephone calls
- Training sessions
What are some advantages of oral communication?
- Direct contact
- Benefits from sight, sound and physical proximity
- Allows for instant feedback
- More convincing
What are some disadvantages of oral communication?
- More difficult to control
- May not provide adequate time to think things out
- There might not be any written record
What are some forms of visual communication?
- Photos
- Film
- Model
- Diagram/ Chart
- Body language
What are some advantages of visual communication?
- Illustrates a message through a visual stimulus
- Simplifies written or verbal communication
What are some disadvantages of visual communication?
- May be expensive
- May be difficult to interpret by itself
- Requires additional skills of comprehension and interpretation
What are electronic communication channels?
These send written, oral, visual messages through electrical means which may be wireless or with cables.
What is Informal communication?
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.
