MODULE 3
PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNICATION
Four Principles of Interpersonal Communication
These principles underlie the workings in real life of
interpersonal communication. They are basic to Learning Outcomes
communication. We can't ignore them.
1. identify the
1. Interpersonal communication is inescapable different principles
of communication
It is not possible for humans like you and me not to
communicate We can't communicate. Even the very
attempt of not wanting to communicate communicates
something. Through not only words, but through tone
of voice and through gesture, posture, facial
expression, etc., we constantly communicate to those
around us. Through these channels, we constantly
receive communication from others. Even when you
sleep, you communicate. Remember a basic principle
of communication in general: people are not mind readers. Another way to put this is:
people judge you by your behavior, not your intent.
2. Interpersonal communication is irreversible
You cannot really take back something once it has been said. The effect must
certainly remain. Despite the instructions from a
judge to a jury to "contempt that last statement the
witness made," the lawyer knows that it cannot
help but make an impression on the jury. A
Russian proverb says, "Once a word goes out of
your mouth, you can never swallow it again."
3. Interpersonal communication is complicated
` No form of communication is simple. Because of the number of variables
involved, even simple requests are extremely complex.
Theorists note that whenever we communicate there are
really at least six "people" involved: 1) who you think you
are; 2) who you think the other person is; 3) who you
think the other person thinks you are; 4) who the other
person thinks /she is; 5) who the other person thinks you are; and 6) who the other
person thinks you think s/he is.
We don't actually switch ideas, we exchange symbols that stand for ideas. This
also complicates communication. Words (symbols) do not have inherent meaning; we
simply use them in certain ways, and no two people use the same word exactly alike.
4. Interpersonal communication is contextual
In other words, communication does not happen in isolation. There is:
Psychological context, which is who you are
and what you bring to the interaction. Your
needs, desires, values, personality, etc., all
form the psychological context. ("You" here
refers to both participants in the interaction.)
Relational context, which concerns your
reactions to the other person--the "mix."
Situational context deals with the psycho-social
"where" you are communicating. An interaction
that takes place in a classroom will be very different from one that takes place in
a bar.
Environmental context deals with the physical "where" you are communicating.
Furniture, location, noise level, temperature, season, time of day, all are
examples of factors in the environmental context.
Cultural context includes all the learned behaviors and rules that affect the
interaction. If you come from a culture (foreign or within your own country) where
it is considered rude to make long, direct eye contact, you will out of politeness
avoid eye contact. If the other person comes from a culture where long, direct
eye contact signals trustworthiness, then we have in the cultural context a basis
for misunderstanding.
Principles Communication
1. Principle of Clarity
The idea or message to be communicated should be clearly spelt out. It should
be worded in such a way that the receiver
understands the same thing which the
sender wants to convey. There should be no
uncertainty in the message. It should be kept
in mind that the words do not speak
themselves but the speaker gives them the
meaning. A clear message will evoke the
same response from the other party. It is
also essential that the receiver is conversant with the language, inherent assumptions,
and the mechanics of communication.
2. Principle of Attention
In order to make communication effective, the receiver’s attention should be
drawn towards message. People are different in behaviour, attention, emotions etc. so
they may respond differently to
the message. Subordinates
should act similarly as per the
contents of the message. The
acts of a superior also draw the
attention of subordinates and
they may follow what they
observe. For example, if a
superior is very punctual in
coming to the office then
subordinates will also develop
such habits. It is said that ‘actions speak louder than words.
3. Principle of Feedback
The principle of feedback is very important to make communication effective.
There should be a feedback information
from the recipient to know whether he has
understood the message in the same sense in
which the sender has meant it.
4. Principle of Informality
Formal communication is generally used for transmitting messages and other
information. Sometimes formal communication may not achieve the desired results.
Information communication may not prove effective in such situations. Management
should use informal communication for assessing the reaction of employees towards
various policies. Senior
management may informally
convey certain decisions to the
employees for getting feedback.
So this principle states that
information communication is as
important as formal
communication..
5. Principle of Consistency
This principle states that communication should always be consistent with the
policies ,plans, programs and objectives of the
organization and not in conflict with the, If the
messages and communications are in conflict
with the policies and programs then there will be
confusion in the minds of subordinates and they
may not implement them properly. Such a
situation will be detrimental to the interest of the
organization.
6. Principle of Timeliness
This principle states that communication should be done at proper time so that it
helps in implementing plans. Any delay in
communication may not serve any purpose
rather decisions become of historical
importance only.
7. Principle of Adequacy
The information communicated should be adequate and complete in all
respects. Insufficient information may delay
action and create confusion. Inadequate
information also affects efficiency of the
receiver. So adequate information is
essential for taking proper decisions and
making action plan.
Summary
The following principles of communication are based on the real-life
functioning of interpersonal communication: Interpersonal communication is
inescapable, irreversible, complicated and contextual. Among the principles of
communication are :principles of clarity, attention, feedback, informality,
consistency, timeliness and adequacy.
