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5 Forms of Communication

Intrapersonal

Definition: This is the type of communication that goes on within my head during the day that helps me process all of my thoughts, ideas, and inner conflicts (Communication).

Example: One example of the way I experience intrapersonal communication is when I am completing a test in the classroom. When sitting down and reading a question, I think back to the lesson in which I learned the material or back to the study notes I made a few days prior. Within my head, I will back track on the lesson that was taught to me and justify the answer I give on the test. Many times when explaining to myself the thoughts that I have, I often write down little notes. This aids me in keeping track of my thoughts in an orderly manner. 

Interpersonal

Definition: Contrastly to intrapersonal communication, this happens between people often in the scope of pairs. Within these pairs are people who depend on each other throughout the day like in a friendship, relationship, or work type atmosphere (Communication).

Example: This type of communication specifically applies to my life in the work atmosphere. My job is at a daycare, where I am the head of the aftercare program. While I am the head of the program, I have a partner teacher who helps me more with my own specific classroom management as I may have to deal with larger issues within the program. In this type of situation, interpersonal communication is essential as both myself and my partner teacher need to be able to effectively communicate students needs for issues such as safety, wellness, and educational studies. Being able to communicate not only the children’s needs but our own needs helps to better strengthen the program and leaves children in the best type of environment possible.

Group

Definition: This is when there are more than a pair of individuals involved in the communication who are often speaking in order to achieve the same task (Communication).

Example: One example I have of this is currently between myself, my significant other, and my vacation planner. This summer my significant other and I are taking a trip to Disney World for a week, our first solo trip together. In order to have the easiest transition into this vacation, we hired a vacation planner who helps us with organizing things like restaurants, hotel stays and rides. Between the three of us, we bounce around ideas that will essentially provide us with the best outcomes. With picking restaurants, I have to speak to my boyfriend and then relay our conversation on to our planner. Within group communication, the three of us are still able to make personal connections that can help keep us on the path to obtaining that one shared goal successfully. 

Public

Definition: When the sender or myself in this situation, speaks to a larger amount of people in order to inform them on a situation or idea (Communication).

Example: The main point in my life when I use this form of communication is when I am giving a presentation at my university to my class. These presentations can vary in terms of subject matter but often help my fellow classmates better understand the information I am giving them. My ability to effectively communicate my own ideas along with research helps the other students in their own personal studies. If I do not put forth the effort to communicate the ideas and simply show them a powerpoint without explaining, they may not be able to fully grasp the concept. 

Mass Communication

Definition: The type of communication in which you display messages, or opinions to a large audience. This can be done either electronically or through paper (Communication).

Example: This type of communication affects me on a daily basis, as mostly everything in my life is done electronically and posted online. This ranges from pictures on instagram or tweets I send out. However recently, I have been trying to cut back my social media presence as I have felt like social media is supposed to be a reflection of yourself. And honestly at this point I am not exactly sure of the type of person I want to portray to the world, as I do not really know myself fully. With this type of communication things can get easily misunderstood as it does go out to the masses.  

Definitions Provided at:

“Communication in the Real World: An Introduction to Communication Studies” University of  Minnesota LIbraries Publishing Edition, 2016. Minneapolis, MN. Pressbooks. Accessed 29 January 2020