Topic – 2 – Levels of Communication

There are mainly five levels of communication:

·         Extra personal communication

·         Intrapersonal communication

·         Interpersonal communication

·         Organizational communication

·         Mass communication

·     Extrapersonal communication:

Communication that takes place between human being and non-human being is called Extrapersonal communication. For example: the barking of a dog on seeing a stranger informs its master of some stranger‘s arrival. More than any other form, Extrapersonal communication requires perfect understanding between sender and receiver in which one of them transmits information or responds in sign language only.

·     Intrapersonal communication:

Intrapersonal communication takes place within the individual. We know that there is a constant exchange of information between our organs of body and brain. This communication is very essential to locate the eminent danger to human body. One more type of communication we experience within us is soliloquy where the person talks to himself.

·     Interpersonal communication:

Interpersonal communication means the sharing of information among people. In this type of communication, the role of the sender and the receiver keeps altering. This form of communication is advantageous because direct and immediate feedback is possible. If doubts occur, it can be instantly clarified. Interpersonal communication can be formal or informal. For example; Interaction between two friends is different from the interaction between the members in business meeting.

·     Organizational communication:

Communication is take place among the various parts of the organization is called organizational communication. To run the organization, communication among various parts is very essential. The need of communication is grater in organization because a large number of employees are involved in various activities. For example; the college organization includes principal, lecturers, non-teaching staff, students etc. we usually find that there is a constant communication among them to run the college. This kind of communication can be further divided into:

√      Internal-operational

√      external operational

√      personal

·     Mass Communication:

This kind of communication calls for a mediator to transmit information. Mass communication requires strong mediator such as journals, books, T.V., newspapers, news channels, etc. These mediators transmit information for the countless receivers (audience, reader, etc.). This type of communication requires utmost care on the part of the sender in encoding the message. Since the information is to reach thousands of people, it should be flawless and true. Oral communication through mass media requires some equipment such as microphones, amplifiers, transmitters, etc. and written form needs print or visual media. Mass communication is very effective because it spread information at a lightening speed across the world.