Download Assignment on Communication

Assignment on Definition, Nature and Functions of Communication
-Dipti Kamath
MA-Applied Economics
119807
2nd
Introduction
The word “communication” derived from the Latin word ‘communis’ which means common. It
is a process of exchange of facts, ideas, opinions. It is a means through which individuals or
organizations share meaning and understanding with one another. Communication is an
interdisciplinary concept because it is approached from various disciplines such as
mathematics, psychology, linguistics etc.
Definition
Newman and Summer Jr. state that, ‘Communication is an exchange of facts, ideas, opinions or
emotions by two or more persons’.
Peter Little defines communication as, ‘Communication is the process by which information is
transmitted between individuals and/or organizations so that an understanding response
result’.
According to Keith Davis, ‘The process of passing the information and understanding from one
person to another. It is essentially a bridge of meaning between the people. By using the bridge
a person can safely across the river of misunderstanding’.
Louis A. Allen defines, ‘Communication is the sum total of all the things that a person does,
when he wants to create an understanding in the mind of another. It involves a systematic and
continuous process of telling, listening and understanding’.
According to Cyril L Hudson “communication in its simplest form is the conveying of
information from one person to another.”
According to Theo Haiemann “communication is the process of passing information and
understanding from one person to another. It is the process of imparting ideas and making
oneself understood by others.”
According to Herald D Lasswell “communication is discerning who says what in which channel
to whom with what effect.”
From the above definition it can be concluded that communicationIs a two-way exchange of information
Communication is a 2 way process of exchanging information. In this process of communication
there has to be a sender and receiver of this information.
It is a process
Communication is a continous process of telling, listening and understanding between 2 or
more persons. Each message is a part of a process and does not occur in isolation.
It involves a sender and a receiver of information
Ant communication starts with a sender of a message and requires a receiver to attach some
meaning to that message.
It could be verbal or non-verbal
Communication could be through the use of words in spoken to written form, or through the
use of body languages such as gestures and facial expressions.
It is successful when the receiver interprets the meaning in the same way as that intended by
the sender
Effective communication takes place when the information given by the sender is understood
by the receiver as intended by the sender. When the message is wrongly interpreted
communication is a failure.
Nature of Communication
Dynamic
Depending on the circumstances and results obtained communication needs to be continous
evolving process. Thus for communication to be effective it has to be dynamic and it has to
constantly change with time with changing situations and taking into consideration available
resources and data.
Complex
Since there are many facets of communication, the communication process becomes complex.
Communication becomes effective only if all the complexities are recognized and taken into
account by giving due weightage to each situation.
Behavioural interaction
Each person responds in a different way when the same message is being conveyed by the
sender. So the v becomes effective only when the behavioural pattern of the receiver is
understood and necessary adjustments to the communication either verbal or non-verbal is
taken care of. A persons behavior can be gleaned from his gestures and facial expressions.
It elicits response
Communication is a 2 way process. It is essential that every communication involves a feedback
mechanism so as to ascertain the effectiveness of the communication received by the receiver.
Feedback helps to fine tune the communication process.
Ever-expanding field
With its dynamic nature and requirement of getting constant feedback the communication
process is ever expanding. Because of this nature of communication the various channels such
as print media, television, radio etc will come into play.
Functions of communication
Information Function
The main aim of communication is to gather, assimilate and provide timely information to the
receivers. Information includes facts, ideas and opinions given by the sender from various
appropriate reliable sources. It may also include feedback from the receivers end.
Building relationships
Communication helps in building relationships between people. A problem can be solved by
proper, reliable and effective information. This helps in building trust between people.
Persuading
When the trust levels increase between people persuasion necessarily becomes easy. Thus,
communication helps in solving problems and getting things done favourably.
Requesting specific action
With assimilation of all the current available data it becomes easy to request for specific actions
required by the receiver.
Conclusion
Communication is an exchange of ideas, facts and information between people. It helps in
nurturing relationships and is necessary in day-to-day activities for improving effectiveness of
people.
Bibliography
Principles of Management and Administration, Bose Chandra D, Prentice Hall of India Pvt ltd,
New Delhi.
Effective Public Relations and Media Strategy, Reddi Narasimha C.V, PHI learning Pvt Ltd, New
Delhi.
Information to Communication Course Book, Steinberg S, Jute and Co Ltd, Cape Town.