Understanding the Concept of Communication

NATURE AND SCOPE OF COMMUNICATION Introduction The word “Communication” is derived from the Latin root “Communis” means common. This indicates that when we communicate, we are trying to establish commonness with someone through a message. Communication is a process of getting a source and a receiver tuned together for a particular message or a series of messages. In fact, communication is so diverse concept that any attempt to create a generally accepted definition becomes so profoundly involved that it hinders rather than helps in clarifying and understanding the subject. Thus, communication covers a wide topic area. Any definition of a communication would be too general, too complex or too fragmented . we can explain various aspects of communication with definitions, but they would not be integrated. Different ways to define communication are as under: What is communication?  Communication is about moving/passing something about conveying or sending or delivering information  It is a two way process in which messages are transferred from source to the receiver  It is a conscious attempt to share information, ideas, attitudes and the like with others. Communication is a process of interaction. In a particular situation two or more individuals interact. They try to influence the ideas, attitudes, knowledge and behavior of each other. Communication sometimes has an impact and change occurs as a result of interaction. The impact is due to the information. One passes the gestures, expression, language the manner of expression and tone i.e modulation . For effective communication, the communicator understands the target and the purpose of communication, the right person to receive it, the impact in terms of knowledge, attitude and skills. 1. Communication is the discriminatory response of an organism to stimulus 2. Communication is a process by which information and feelings are exchanged among individuals through common symbols , signs or behavior 3. Communication is a dynamic process, ongoing and ever changing, which involves five major elements. The five elements are the message, the sender, the transmission medium the receiver and feedback. 4. Communication is the process whereby, a person attempts to transmit thoughts, ideas, wishes or emotions to others to be received them with the very same meaning. Since our major interest is transfer technology, we can define communication as the Those sharing information process by which extension workers independently, in a group or through media, exchange either knowledge , attitude or skills on behalf of an organization with any member of farming community, through such ways that each gains intellectual capacity, understanding and use of the message. This is not complete view of the process of communication but will provide our purpose . Communication is frequently thought of as happenings by means of verbal symbols but a socio – psychological analysis requires that attention be paid to the full range of symbols that may be used by human beings, including gestures, tone, facial expressions, Sound of keys and buttons drumbeats, telegraphic click, flags, smoke signals, color, size, distance, sign or any signal. Experts say that communication is composed of different methods: words, voice, tone and nonverbal clues. Of these, some are more effective in delivering a message than others. According to research, in a conversation or verbal exchange: Words are 7% effective Tone of voice is 38% effective Non-verbal clues are 55% effective Elements of speaking:  Body language  Voice quality  Intention  Manner : directness, sincerity  Dress and clothing  Visual aids and animation  Eye contact  Emotional content, energy, strength  Self- concept  Concept of others  Listening , hearing ad underlying message  Speaking from the heart  Energy  Setting, time place, timing  Sensitivity  Rhythm and pacing  Attitude and confidence  Rapport  Agenda  Purpose of communication- knowing what you want to communicate  Clarity  Silence, centering, looking For effective communication, the communicator understands the target and the purpose of communication, the right person to receive it, the impact of in terms of knowledge, attitude and skills. There are three levels of understanding the communication: Action -------------- Information ---------------------------- Relationship 1. Relationship: The important reason for communication is to build relationships with other people through rapport building, through verbal behavior, vocal behavior. Subjects experts from different parts of India : individual build rapport for academic purpose such as syllabus restructure, future expectation . 2. Information: Building relationship leads to information sharing – it shapes of our thinking and it is dynamic . The communication is a matter of creating meaning out of that information: the receiver should understand the right meaning of information. How to create meaning - by turning information in to ideas 3. Action: The reason for communication is for promotion of action. The key to effective action is not giving accurate information but persuasive ideas. An idea is any thought that we can express in a sentence. We have to find out the quality of an idea by how meaningful it is. The purpose of communication is to create and share ideas. Scope of communication Every communicative act is based on something that conveys meaning, and that conveyance is the message. The message may be either verbal (spoken or written) or nonverbal (body language, physical appearance, or vocal tone). Messages may also come from the context—or place and time—of the communication. For instance, if you choose to make a critical comment to someone, the place and the time you choose to make that comment will make a big impact on how it will be received. Every message is sent and received through one of our five senses—it is seen, heard, touched, tasted, or smelled. The sensory media through which messages are sent and received are communication channels. In a work setting, messages may be seen through body movement, letters, memos, newsletters, bulletin board notices, signs, emails, and so on. Messages that are heard come through conversations, interviews, presentations, telephones, radios, and other audio media. Sight and sound are the two most frequent communication channels used in our society. When the receiver gets the message (through seeing, hearing, feeling, touching, or smelling), he or she will usually give feedback (return message) unconsciously or consciously. Thus, the communication process is on-going. The worst assumption a sender of a message can make is that the message will be received as intended. So many things can go wrong during the communication process that we should always assume that something will go wrong and take steps to prevent that occurrence. Barriers to good communication are always present. For instance, the language itself can be a barrier—unclear wording, slang, jargon, and the tone. Another barrier is the failure of the sender to realize that his or her body language might contradict the spoken message. The channel used to convey the message might be wrong. In case, if you would not use the telephone to relay a lot of statistical information; you would need to write that message on paper. Poor listening skills can constitute a barrier also.