User:Asp.woods/Means of communication

Means of Communication

Means of communication are a variety of ways that people can use to connect with others and send and receive messages. This doesn't always mean physically sending a letter or hitting the send button on a text but, those can be means of communicating. This article will be diving into different means of communication and will discuss their effectiveness. The main focus will be non-verbal and verbal communication. The purpose of this article is to gain an understanding of how to become better communicators or learn about a new way of communicating.

Extra Sensory Perception

The first mean of communication found to be effective is originally a theory of communication but is slowly being transformed and seen as a means of communication. This theory and mean of communication is called extrasensory perception, also known as ESP. ESP in and of itself is a theory about people having a 6th sense which is that information is sensed with the mind.[9] Extrasensory perception in communication focuses on how to convey the largest amount of information in the shortest way possible. ESP is unique because it is both a verbal and non-verbal form of communication. [1] ESP is non-verbal when it's in the context of a text or writing and it is verbal when it is a spoken message or conversation. ESP is more about the efficiency of the message and not necessarily the size of the message. This is important in communication because it can increase ones abilities to communicate with others in a large way. This mean of communication can make communicating with others simpler and better understood because the focus of the message is succinctness. When communication is too long or too in depth it can be hard to understand. This is why ESP is an important mean of communication and can be beneficial to learn to do and use better.

Non-Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication focuses a lot on the thought that goes into a message and the effort it takes to make it efficient. Verbal and non-verbal communication are both important means of communication because they put an an emphasis on intentionality, presence, contact, and awareness within communication. Sometimes it can be hard to communicate verbally as effectively as possible so non-verbal communication can help with that. Non-verbal communication is communicating through facial expressions, body language, and media. The value of body language and facial expression is often overlooked and it can really change a message drastically.

An example of how facial expressions can negatively affect communication is that looking mad, sad, or bored as both the communicator and listener will affect how messages are perceived and received. An example of how body language can negatively affect communication is folding one's arms across their chest. This is often a sign of anger or a serious situation which can also indicate negative connotations with the message.

An example of how facial expression can positively impact communication is looking happy, smiling, and showing visible excitement. This will allow for the message being communicated to be perceived as positive without having to outright say the message is positive. An example of how body language can be used to positively impact communication is standing calmly and look inviting not threatening or unapproachable. This will allow for a more open and positive communication.

Non-verbal communication allows for communicators to think more about body language and how impactful it can be in communication. It also makes communicators think more about cognition and how people perceive and receive messages differently through all of the possible means of communication. [2] Non-verbal communication helps to generate, process, and channel information. [3] Beyond body language and facial expressions, non-verbal communication can include writing and technology as means of communication.

Non-Verbal Writing

Writing when used as a mean of communication focuses on how to write effectively through planning, translating, reviewing, and monitoring. These are all important factors in getting the intended message to come across through our writings. [4] This is very applicable to those in school or in a career where a lot of writing or emailing is done. The goal of being an effective communicator in this case is to be able to get the correct message and "vibe" across through writing. Along with writing comes spelling, this often not seen as an important part of non-verbal communication but it is essential in how communicators portray themselves. If the goal is to be seen as professional or well educated spelling is important. [4] If the message is meant to be more relaxed there can misspelled and abbreviate words or phrases. This concept is very common in texting and social media use. Writing, spelling, and the use of media are all very common forms of nonverbal communication.

Social Media

The way things are communicated through social media can be very persuasive which is why social media influencing is at an all time high. [5] This is especially relevant and important in today's society where lives are constantly consumed by social media. The way that influencers communicate with their audience and how that impacts the consumers of the media is all a form of communication. [6] Originally Facebook and Instagram were a picture with a caption full of words making this mean of communication non-verbal but as society has changed these popular media platforms are now filled with live videos, stories, and reels, making this mean of communication a verbal form. [7] Social media and technology in general give a combination of non-verbal and verbal communication making it unique in how people receive information and interpret the message being conveyed through these forms of communication. [5]

Verbal Communication

Non-verbal communication is often more difficult for people than verbal communication is so focusing on tone, delivery of the message, and word choice are all important to focus on in verbal communication. If communicators can execute a strong message verbally their verbal ability and communication competence increases. [8] Tone or pitch is defined as the sound of one's voice as they are speaking. This impacts how the message is understood. If the communicators tone is negative or monotone the message will be received that way. If the communicator has a loud, excited, upbeat tone and pitch the audience will understand the message and receive it that way. Word choice is choosing words specific to what the message is about that will be the most efficient and intriguing to the audience. Delivery of the message includes both verbal and non-verbal communication skills. It requires communicators to be fluent in verbal communication as well as be able to utilize facial expression and body language, two large aspects of non-verbal communication.

References

1. “ESP as a Means of Communication.” Taylor & Francis, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02500167608537585.
2. “Considerations of Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication in Body Psychotherapy.” Taylor & Francis, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17432970902857289.
3. “Non-Verbal and Paralinguistic Political Communication in Sport: An Analysis of Images of Springbok Rugby.” Taylor & Francis, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/02500167.2017.1307243.
4. “A Conceptual Review of Writing Research in Augmentative and Alternative Communication.” Taylor & Francis, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.3109/07434618.2010.505608?journalCode=iaac20.
5. “Social Media Influencers in Strategic Communication: A Conceptual Framework for Strategic Social Media Influencer Communication.” Taylor & Francis, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/1553118X.2019.1620234?journalCode=hstc20.
6. Garth S. Jowett, “Toward a History of Communication.” Taylor & Francis, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00947679.1975.12066769.
7. “History of Communication Technology.” Taylor & Francis, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/10948009009488033.
8. “Cognitive Complexity, Communication Competence, and Verbal Ability.” Taylor & Francis, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01463378409369562.
9. Wikipedia contributors. (2023, April 11). Extrasensory perception. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 21:19, May 4, 2023, from https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Extrasensory_perception&oldid=1149386279