My first blog discusses the theory of communication, what it is, how I’d define it and how it has progressed over time. Communication is the process in which people basically send and receive messages, verbally or non-verbally. Inter-personal communication, in this modern age, is more efficient and easier because of technology advancements. Back in Gail’s and Trisha’s day, there were a number of channels in which to communicate with people but those channels weren’t as instant or technological as the ones now, i.e. email, fax, text message etc; these channels are economical. However, I have found that although these technological methods may be efficient and instant, they can also be unreliable. Example, I sent a sketch of a fire escape plan to my parents by fax, my parents’ fax had run out of ink and parts of the sketch were missing. The missing vitals included the gather point and an alternative escape route. After much debate they decided to ring me to get the correct information. They didn’t know whether to: assemble at the Walnut tree or at the mailbox, jump through the window or take the door.
Generally disruptions in the communication channels can create modifications to a message and create confusion for the receiver. Technology provides us with economical channels in which to communicate but doesn’t necessarily guarantee that communication will be successful.
I believe that the most effective method of communication is face-to-face. It is where the sender and receiver meet eye-to-eye, where both can give feedback to each other and understand what is being said. However, as I have mentioned, in every communication channel including face-to-face, there are interferences; e.g. in face-to-face situations: the receiver could be hearing impaired, the sender could be illiterate and send out the wrong words and therefore the wrong meaning.
Here is a hyperlink to a classic example of a misunderstanding in a face-to-face situation.
http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/lists/1JezBurrows.html