Types of communication: A detailed guide

Communication is the process of sending and receiving thoughts, ideas, or information from one individual or group to another in order to achieve a desired effect. If you went through my previous article on What is Communication?, you are well aware that the above definition is only one of all the possible definitions of the term.

Similarly, communication can be classified into various types based on the size of a social group, nature, presentation style (channel), and the flow of communication in a particular communicative act. We also need to remember that these classifications are purely cooked for teaching-learning purposes, as we are very well aware that these classifications might and do overlap in real-life settings.

Table of Contents

Types Based on the Size of a Social Group

One of the most common typologies, or simply types of communication, is based on the number of people involved in the process of communication. These range from intrapersonal, interpersonal, group, public, and mass communication. Let’s look at them more closely:

1. Intrapersonal Communication

A type of communication that involves only one person, who converses back and forth with oneself. Thus, it can be understood as an exchange of messages in which the sender and receiver are the same person.
The most typical form of intrapersonal communication is self-talk and inner dialogue. In self-talk, there is only one voice, often of oneself or the person being imagined. For example, a student imagining his/her teacher’s reaction to not completing their homework.
Meanwhile, inner dialogue is a state where there are multiple voices in the head, often presenting an imaginary view. For example, a boy deciding to propose to his crush may engage in inner dialogue, reasoning about her reactions, her friends’ reactions, and his friends’ reactions.
Other possible forms of intrapersonal communication are introspection, problem-solving, reasoning, dreaming, and meditation, etc.

2. Interpersonal Communication

A direct face-to-face communication between two people. It is personal, direct, and intimate, allowing for maximum interaction and exchange in word and gesture, making it the most persuasive and influential type of communication compared to others.
A part of the reason for its high impact is the sharing of a common space and time between the sender and receiver. As humans, we are bound to ‘territorial imperatives,’ an obsession with protecting one’s space. That’s why there are three stages to effective interpersonal communication:

Phatic Stage: The initial exploratory stage of communication, usually Hi? Hello? How are you?, which determines the course of the conversation. Usually, answers to the questions are pretty redundant (I’m fine, how are you?) and formal in nature. The interpersonal effect is least at this point.
Personal Stage: Adding a pinch of a personal element into the conversation when either party is willing to let their personal guard down and is prepared to take some risk in exposing themselves and their feelings.
1. People generally hesitant to share personal feelings break off the conversation at the phatic stage and continue talking in a formal manner. Most professional discussions do not go beyond the personal stage.
Intimate Stage: Reserved for friends, family, and close aides, it’s a stage when social barriers fall, and we are at ease; interpersonal communication achieves its highest efficacy at this juncture.

3. Group Communication

A type of communication that involves three or more people indulging in the exchange of ideas, information, and thoughts, etc. It shares some characteristics of interpersonal communication, though to a lesser degree because the larger the group gets, the less direct and intimate it becomes.
Moreover, group communication is directed by a common goal where members recognize their existence as well as others and find a sense of belongingness/association. For example, an employee in a small project group of five members has their work designated, which is just a cog in a bigger machine. Similarly, imagine your family setting, where each family member has a certain role (father, mother) and has common goals like looking after each other, providing for the family, etc.
Furthermore, there are two quite common categorizations of groups based on their size:
- Small Group:Involves a minimum of three members and may go up to fifteen or twenty members, but not more. A level of intimacy and closeness is possible due to dialogue and the possibility of responding to or addressing feedback of members involved. However, this can also be time-consuming, and effectiveness often falls prey to pretense and lack of mutual participation.
- Large Group: Includes more than twenty members and can go up to thousands. As the size of the group increases, dialogue becomes monologue (one-way), and keeping track of feedback gets more challenging, if not completely impossible.
A good example of a small group is a classroom setting where students can clarify their doubts for the most part of the time. Group members are aware of each other and work together on a particular problem (here, building understanding).
In contrast, a large group can be seen as the whole school, where addressing each student’s issue is not possible all the time, and many other members of the group are unknown. However, they share the same goal of learning and trust the same institution.

4. Mass Communication

The term mass communication was coined, along with that of ‘mass media,’ early in the twentieth century to describe what was then a new social phenomenon and a key feature of the emerging modern world built on the foundations of industrialism and democracy.
Mass communication is a process of transferring a message to a large number of scattered audiences using mass media like radio, TV, and newspapers, etc. The production, transmission, and reception of the mass message are heavily mediated using technology.
It is a classical example of one-way communication, where the receivers of the message are largely unknown and heterogeneous. Even the biggest quest of a twenty-first-century media organization is to identify their audience using research to lure certain advertisers.
Likewise, feedback in mass communication is often missing or delayed. Imagine telling your take on a movie to its writer—it’s quite difficult, isn’t it? However, with the emergence of new media, the mass communication space is rapidly changing. Due to the interactive features, many mass message producers can grasp the gist of audience feedback through analyzing comments, likes, and dislikes.
The emergence of new media has also called for a fresh definition of mass communication. Earlier, only big organizations with complex setups could produce mass messages, which we now know as traditional media, including TV, radio, magazines, and newspapers.
But now, with video services like YouTube and photo-sharing platforms like Instagram, where anyone can reach millions of views within hours, traditional media is facing an all-time low in viewership/readership/listenership. This has sparked a fresh debate in the media studies fraternity.

Types Based on the Nature of Communication

We often find ourselves in situations where we tend to change or modify the way we talk to people around us. Sometimes, we are more polite, professional, and careful with our word selection, while at other times, we care less about conventions and speak casually.

1. Formal Communication

A type of communication that follows a fixed set of patterns and is governed by mannerisms, heredity, and norms. The communication is highly professional in manner and is expected to be on point, following correct grammar while avoiding vagueness and the use of slang. It often employs professional jargon and includes applications, letters, and meetings, etc.
People often relate formal communication with organizational communication, which isn’t completely wrong. However, organizational communication is better represented within the *flow of information.*
Formal communication can also take place outside an organization—for example, with elders in the family or people you hold in high regard, such as government officials. These situations are also governed by formal rules and follow a set pattern of greetings and goodbyes. Although not strictly formal in nature, these settings demand formal behavior.

2. Informal Communication

A day-to-day type of communication that we use around our peers and family. Informal communication is not governed by set norms or standards, nor does it have a fixed structure. It involves a more carefree way of talking and is tolerant of slang.
When informal communication takes place within organizations, it is called grapevine communication. This is not governed by official channels but is a product of unofficial or informal channels, such as gossip groups and so-called water cooler talks. Grapevine communication mostly contains rumors, hearsay, and half-truths, which can be both beneficial and harmful for the organization.

Types Based on Channels/Presentation Style

The medium we choose to convey our information plays a major role in determining the structure and presentation style of our messages and communication acts. It is also one of the most common typologies used to define types of communication.

1. Verbal Communication

A type of communication that involves the use of written or spoken words to convey information from one person to another. Shared language, signs, and symbols are parts of verbal communication used to effectively engage in communicative acts.
- Examples include letters, books, speeches, and traffic signs, among others.
Verbal communication is a more direct and straightforward way of communicating, requiring a shared understanding of language and its conventions. It aims to mitigate misunderstandings and misconceptions.

2. Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication involves the use of gestures, facial expressions, and body language to convey information from sender to receiver. Traditional dance forms like Kathak, silent films, and sign language, which rely on facial expressions, body movements, and eye movements to evoke emotions and communicate, are examples of non-verbal communication.
The meaning of non-verbal expressions is often indirect and not explicitly stated, as is the case in verbal communication, leaving greater scope for misunderstanding. Non-verbal communication also lacks permanency.
However, when paired appropriately, non-verbal cues can enhance emotional impact within the receiver or audience. For instance, think of the most moving and impactful acting performance you’ve seen—one that made you feel happy, sad, or motivated. Consider the use of non-verbal cues employed by the actor in that scene to heighten the effect.

Type of Communication Based on the Flow of Information

As we learned, organizational communication is usually governed by hierarchy, and the way a person communicates is determined by the position held by that person in the organization. Although many big corporations are trying to break this ceiling and promote less heredity within their work culture, organizational communication still remains a reality.

1. Top-down Communication

Also known as downward communication, it refers to the flow of information from the top authority (Manager or VP) to the subordinates (employees) of the organization. Usually, such information is in the form of commands, orders, and directions. It is helpful in maintaining alignment, setting objectives, and providing guidance.

2. Horizontal Communication

This type of communication takes place between people of the same stature within an organization, like manager to manager or subordinate to subordinate. It is typically governed by conventional standards and mutual respect. Horizontal communication helps in promoting collaboration and coordination.

3. Bottom-up Communication

Also known as upward communication, this takes place between subordinates and authority figures. It is usually in the form of requests, suggestions, and progress reports. For example, when you are writing an application for leave, you request the authority to grant it. Similarly,when you request administration to change your team in the office.

Conclusion

The typologies of communication discussed—whether based on the size of a social group, the nature of communication, the flow of information, or the channels used—are valuable tools for understanding the dynamics of how humans interact. However, it is essential to recognize that these classifications are not rigid but flexible frameworks.

In real-life settings, these categories often overlap and intermingle. For instance, an informal conversation in a small group may involve both verbal and non-verbal communication, while mass communication today incorporates elements of interpersonal feedback through digital platforms. Similarly, the boundaries between formal and informal communication may blur depending on the context or relationship.

Thus, while these typologies provide clarity for teaching and learning, they must be applied with an understanding of their fluid and adaptive nature, reflecting the complex and ever-evolving reality of human communication.