Interpersonal Communication.

 

So how do group members transfer meaning between and among each other? They essentially rely on oral, written, and nonverbal communication.

 

Oral Communication

The advantages of oral communication are speed and feedback. We can convey a verbal message and receive response in minimal time. If the receiver is unsure of the message, rapid feedback allows sender to quickly detect and correct it.

 

The major disadvantage of oral communication surfaces whenever a message has to pass through a number of people: the more people the greater the potential of distortion. If an organization, where decisions and other communications are verbally passed up and down the authority hierarchy, considerable opportunities arise for messages become distorted.

 

Written Communication

Why would sender choose written communication? It is often tangible and verifiable. When it is printed, both sender and the receiver have a record of the communication, and the message can be stored for an identifiable period. 

 

Another benefit is that people are usually forced to think more thoroughly about what they want to convey in a written message than in a spoken one. Thus, written communications are more likely to be well thought out, logical and clear.

 

Of course, written messages have drawbacks. They are time consuming. You could convey far more information to a college instructor in a 1-hour oral oral exam than in 1-hour written exam. In fact, what you can say in 10 to 15 minutes might take you an hour to write.

 

Nonverbal Communication

Every time we deliver a verbal message, we also impart a nonverbal message. Sometimes the nonverbal component may stand alone. In a singles bar, glance, a stare, a smile all convey meaning. No discussion of communication would thus be complete without consideration of nonverbal communication - which includes body movements, the intonations or emphasis we give to words, facial expressions, and the typical distance between the sender and receiver.

 

The two most important messages body language conveys are (1) the extent to which we like another and are interested in his or her views and (2) and perceived status between a sender and receiver. We are more likely to position ourselves closer to people we like and touch them more often. Similarly, if you feel you are a higher status than another, you are more likely to display body movements such as crossed legs to reflect a casual and relaxed manner.