SCCA 2023 Human Communication

Nurul Hanis Binti Imar

233767
Quiz 1
There are five types of human communication which is Intrapersonal Communication,
Interpersonal
Communication,
Small
Group
Communication,
Organizational
Communication, and Public Communication.
Intrapersonal Communication
Intrapersonal communication is a communication with oneself or also known as monologue.
Intrapersonal communication occurs either verbally or non-verbally. The communist acts as a
sender and receiver himself. The messages are his thoughts and feelings while his brain acts
as a channel that transmits the messages. According to Sheldtesky (2000), an individual gives
meaning into his life by intrapersonal communication. Verbally, intrapersonal communication
usually occurs when someone is literally talking to themselves such as a person who is
talking in front of a mirror. Monologue also occurs internally or non-verbally, in such a way
that a person is talking to himself by hearing the voices in his head either conscious or
unconsciously. Intrapersonal communication can be implied in Maslows Hierarchy of Needs
Theory in order for an individual to achieve the highest stage of human need which is the
self-actualization. Intrapersonal communication is essential for developing soft skill because
it helps us to enhance self-esteem, to increase self-awareness, to improve problem solving
and analyzing abilities, to increase self-control, to reduce stress, and to manage intrapersonal
conflict. Intrapersonal communication is the foundation of other types of communication
because it triggers a person to communicate with another person.
Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal communication is a communication between two people. It is an ongoing, everchanging process that occurs when one person interacts with another person, forming a dyad;
communication occurring within a relationship. The essential elements of interpersonal
relationship are sender, receiver, message, channel, noise, environment and feedback. Wood
(2000) defines interpersonal communication as selective, systemic, individual, processual (is
an ongoing process) transactions that allow people to reflect and build personal knowledge of
one another and create shared meanings. Interpersonal communication is very selective
because we do not simply interact intimately with a stranger or unknown individuals.
Moreover, it is very systematic because it occurs within various systems. Interpersonal
communication is said to be individual or personal because the deepest level of interpersonal
communication involves engaging others as individuals who are unlike anyone else.
Furthermore, it is a processual phenomenon as the communication evolves over time,
becoming more personal as people interact, for instance, friends that become lovers.
Interpersonal communication is crucial in intimate relationship. For example, based on
Equity Theory, an equitable relationship is simply one in which each party derives rewards
that are proportional to their costs. Whereas, inequity exists when both of you and your
partner work equally hard but one of you derive more rewards from what you deserve. So, s
relationship which experiences inequity will need to achieve equity by talking to each other
to sort out problems and solve them. The function of interpersonal communication is to
increase effectiveness in one-to-one communication, to develop and maintain productive
relationships, and to improve conflict management abilities.

Small Group Communication

Small group communication is a collection of individuals who are connected to one another
by some common purpose and have some degree of organization among them. A small group
consist of approximately 5 to 12 people. There are two basic types of groups which are
relationship and task groups and reference and membership groups.
Relationship and tasks group can be divided into two subunits which are the primary group
and the secondary group. A primary group is a relationship group such as friend and family. A
primary group is usually last-lasting and is the one that we turn to in order to fulfill our needs
of affiliation, affection and affirmation. Whereas, task groups or secondary groups are groups
that only focused on completing tasks. It is formal, task-oriented, and rewarded participation.
In task groups, each members contributes to the given task but members can be replaced with
another person who is similarly competent to the old ones. On the other hand, reference
group is a group from which you derive your values and norms of behavior. A reference
group may be primary or secondary. While membership group is a group you participate in
but do not use as a guide or to measure yourself.
Some of small group communication functions are increasing effectiveness as a group
member, improving leadership abilities, using groups to achieve specific purposes by
brainstorming and problem solving. Atillas Theory of Leadership can be implemented in
being a small group leader which the theory comprises of leadership qualities such as
empathy, courage, dependability, credibility and stewardship. There are several skills in
becoming a great leader. First, a leader should keep members on track by asking questions.
Secondly, summarizing the groups achievement. For example, briefly identify what has been
accomplished and what group need to move on to the next. Next, set an agenda and stick to it.
Lastly, focus your attention on the topics at hand. This exemplification will influence te
behavior of other members. (DeVito, 2012)
Organizational Communication
An organization may be defined as an organized group of people who work together to
achieve compatible goals. The word organization itself gives an idea that it has structure or
hierarchy. Organizational communication is the communication process that occurs within the
organization. According to Kreps (1986), organizational communication is a social
collectives in which people develop ritualized patterns of interaction in an attempt to
coordinate their activities and efforts in the ongoing accomplishment of personal and group
goals. (p. 5). The functions of organizational communication is to transmit information, to
motivate workers, to deal with feedback, gossips and grapevines, as well as to increase
workers satisfaction, productivity and retention. According to Max Webers Theory of
Bureaucracy, a successful organization should have six characteristics; (1) a clear division of
labor and authority, (2) a hierarchical structure, (3) written guidelines prescribing
performance criteria, (4) work specialization and expertise, (5) office holding as a career or
vocation, and (6) duties and authority attached to positions, not persons. For example, a
doctor who has been educated and trained in the diagnosis and preoperative, operative, and
postoperative treatment of diseases and injuries of the musculoskeletal system. So, the
hospital he works in put him in a specialized unit; the orthopedic. Same goes to other work
specialization such as optometric, pharmaceutical and surgical.
Public Communication
Public communication is also known as public speech. According to Hanska-Ahy (2012),
public communication is defined as those communicative processes oriented towards shaping

collective decisions on matters of the common good. It holds that political or moral precepts
are the product of collective decisions and that the validity of a precept does not depend on its
content but on whether it has been arrived at correctly. Linking public communication to
questions about collective decision making allows a discussion about what is relevant to
public communication if it is to support valid or legitimate decisions. Habermas, for instance,
argues that some values can, and in a just society must, be discussed rationally (Edgar,
2006, p. 37). Because this study understands public communication as supportive of the
legitimacy of collective decisions, it holds that the value of the public sphere is at least in part
derivative of values such as justice and fairness. The functions of public communication are
to improve public speaking abilities, to improve personal and social abilities and to improve
academic and career skills. For example, a person will learn to conduct research efficiently
and effectively using the latest and the best techniques available as well as communicate his
competence, character and charisma to make himself believable. Theory of Performance
Visualization argues that you can reduce the outward signs of apprehension and negative
thinking that often creates anxiety through a few simple techniques (Ayres & Hopf, 1992,
1993; Ayres, Hopf & Ayres, 1994). For instance, visualizing yourself and develop confidence,
attitude, walk, and self-perception as an effective speaker will help the speaker to deliver a
successful public speech. (DeVito, 2012)

References
DeVito, J. A. (2012). Human communication: The basic course. Boston: Person Education.
Hanska-Ahy, M. T. (2012). Public communication as ideal and practice definitions of the
common good in persian-language transnational newswork. The London School of
Economics and Political Science, p.27.
Kreps, G. L. (1986). Organizational communication. New York: Longman.
Woods, J. T. (2013). Interpersonal communication: Everyday encounters. Boston: Nelsn
Education.
Interpersonal Communication: A First Look. US: Sage Publications. Retrieved from
https://us.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upmbinaries/52575_Gamble_(IC)_Chapter_1.pdf