Communication

Communication is the process of information usually via a common system of symbols. "Communication studies" is the academic discipline focused on communication forms, processes and meanings, including speech, interpersonal and organizational communication. "Mass communication" is a more specialized academic discipline focused on the institutions, practice and effects of journalism, broadcasting, advertising, public relations and related mediated communication directed at a large, undifferentiated or segmented audience.

Forms and components of human communication

Humans communicate in order to share knowledge and experiences. Common forms of human communication include sign language, speaking, writing, gestures, and broadcasting. Communication can be interactive, transactive, intentional, or unintentional; it can also be verbal or nonverbal. Communication varies considerably in form and style when considering scale. Internal communication, within oneself, is intrapersonal while communication between two individuals is interpersonal. At larger scales of communication both the system of communication and media of communication change. Small group communication takes place in settings of between three and 12 individuals creating a different set of interactions than large groups such as organizational communication in settings like companies or communities. At the largest scales mass communication describes communication to huge numbers of individuals through mass media. Communication also has a time component, being either synchronous or asynchronous. There are a number of theories of communication that attempt to explain human communication.

Related Topics:
Human - Knowledge - Experience - Sign language - Speaking - Writing - Gesture - Broadcasting - Interactive - Transactive - Intentional - Unintentional - Verbal - Nonverbal - Intrapersonal - Interpersonal - Small group - Large groups - Organizational communication - Mass communication - Mass media - Synchronous - Asynchronous - Theories of communication

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However, various theories relating to human communication have the same core philosophy. Communication follows a five-step process which begins with the creation of a message and then sending it to another individual, organization or a group of people. This message is received and then interpreted. Finally this message is responded to, which completes the process of communication.

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