What is Communication, Introduction, Meaning, Importance, Mass Communication and it's types

Introduction

It is impossible not to communicate. Everybody communicates, everything communicates. Communication is not a process limited to human beings only. All creatures on the earth, from worms to humans, are communicating each other for their better existence. It is a universal phenomenon.

Communication is a process which includes transmission of information, ideas, emotions, skills, knowledge by using symbols, words, gestures, and visuals and so on. Thus, the act of communication is referred to as ‘transmission’.

Meaning of Communication

The word communication was originated from the Latin word ‘communis’ which means ‘common’. Communion, community, communism, commonality, communalism etc. are some related words having the same linguistic roots.

Definitions

1. Communication is the exchange of meanings between individuals through a common system of symbols. (I.A.Richards).

2. The transmission of information, ideas attitudes, or emotion from one person or group to another or others primarily through symbols. (Theodorson and Theordorson)

3. Communication is the transmission and interchange of facts, ideas, feeling or course of action. (Leland Brown)

4. Communication is a social interaction through messages ( Grabner, 1967)

5. The interchange of thoughts or information to bring about mutual understanding and confidence or good human relation. (American society of Training Directors).

6. ‘One mind affecting another’ (Claude Shannon)

7. ‘The mechanism through which human relations exist and develop’ (Wilbur Schramm)

8. ‘Transmission of stimuli’ (Colin Cherry)

9. Communication is the sum of all the things one person does when he wants to create understanding in the mind of another. It is a bridge of meaning. It involves a systematic and continuous process of telling, listening and understanding. (Louis Allen)

10. Communication refers to the act by one or more persons, of sending and receiving messages distorted by noise, within a context, with some effect and with some opportunity for feedback (Joseph A.Devito)

The definitions given here indicate the following facts:

  • A world without communication is unthinkable
  • Communication is a complex process  Communication is essential for human relationships and progress
  • Human mind, body and physical conditions are vital components of communication
  • A common symbol system is essential for communication

Importance of Communication

The basic foundation of human society is communication and it takes place at different levels – within oneself, between individuals, between individual and a group, between groups, between countries and so on. Similarly, we use verbal and non-verbal forms of messages for communication. Communication is essential for development of the society. We attain cultural, social and economic prosperity by sharing out experiences.

Personal enjoyment is communication based. Just think of a person kept in isolation without any chance for communication with his friends and relatives. It is really a punishment, a prison life.  Communication helps us interact with our surroundings, thus create positive relationships, share love, build up friendship and depend each other to enjoy life. Can you imagine a world without media? Not at all. The basic mission of mass media is to create ties in human society sharing news. In modern world, media have some more roles to play. Media defines our political system, form public opinion, support public demands and set agenda of our social life. In short, no social activity, be it marketing, business, education, politics, media profession…, is possible without communication.

Download Files

intro-to-mass-comm.docx (0.04 MB )