Purposive Communication
It has issues when communicating with
Communication (came from the Latin term
‘communicare’ which means to share) is the act
of conveying meaning to a person or a group of
people using mutually understood symbols,
gestures, behavior, and semiotic rules.
Communication is beyond simply putting words
into thoughts and emotions. It is done
effectively only when information is transmitted
without changing both the content and context
of the message. Simply put, communication
is the art of creating and sharing ideas for a
specific purpose. It comes in many forms:
• Verbal communication, which includes the use
of language, sounds, and tone of voice
Verbal Communication: Oral- Advantages
1. It brings quick feedback.
2. In a face-to-face conversation, by
reading facial expression and body
language one can guess whether he/she
should trust what‘s being said or not.
3. It saves time in communication.
4. It is quick in obtaining feedback once
delivered.
5. It provides complete understanding of
communication delivered and there is
chance to make it clearer in case of
doubts in interpretation of words or
ideas.
6. It is more reliable method of
communication.
7. It is flexible and effective for all.
8. It is powerful means of persuasion and
control.
9. It is cheaper way of communication and
hence saves money.
Verbal Communication: Oral- Disadvantages
1.
distant people.
2. It is difficult for certain people to
understand speech due to various
speech tones used in verbal
communication.
3. This form of communication is not
suitable for lengthy message.
4. There is chance of leak of secret
information with the help of modern
devices such as polygraph or lie
detector. Often secret information can
be obtained while the person is under
the influence of alcohol.
• Non-verbal communication, which includes
body language and facial expressions.
- Type of communication that does
not involve words.
It has three elements:
1. Appearance (speaker) - Clothing, hairstyle,
neatness, use of cosmetics; Appearance
(surrounding) room size, lighting, decorations,
furnishings
2. Body language - facial expressions, gestures,
postures
3. Sounds - voice tone, volume, speech rate
Advantages
1. Provides clarity.
2. Reduces wastage of time.
3. Quicker transmission of message.
4. Help to handicapped people.
Disadvantages
1. Lack of formality
2. Difficult to understand
3. Long conversations are not possible.
4. Meaning varies across cultures.
5. Distant conversations are not possible.
• Written communication, such as through
journals, emails, blogs, and text messages
Written- Advantages
1. Messages can be edited and revised
2. Written communication provide record
and backup.
3. A written communication enables
receiver to fully understand it and send
appropriate feedback
4. Easy to preserve.
5. Easy presentation of complex matter.
6. Permanent record.
7. Prevention of wastage of time and
money.
8. Accurate presentation.
9. Use as a reference.
10. Longevity
11. Proper information
12. No opportunity to misinterpret
13. Easy to verify
14. Others: Clear understanding, Legal
document, Acceptability, Reduction of
risk, Creating confidence,
circulation, Wide access or coverage
etc.
Written- Disadvantages
1. Expensive
2. Time consuming
3. Red-Taoism: Red-Taoism. It means to
take time for approval of a project.
4. Useless for illiterate person
5. Difficult to maintain secrecy
6. Lack of flexibility
7. Delay in response
8. Delay in decision making
9. Cost in record keeping: It is very difficult
and expensive to keep all the records in
written communication.
10. Complex words
11. Other: Prompt feedback is impossible,
Slowness, Bureaucratic attitude,
Understanding problem between boss
and subordinates, lack in quick
clarification and correction, formality
problem, lack of personal intimacy, etc
• visual communication, which involves
signs, symbols, pictures, graphics, and
emojis.
The Communication Process
The goal of communication is to transmit
information and the understanding
information— from one person or group to
another person or group. This communication
process is divided into three basic
components: A sender conveys a message
through a channel to the receiver. (Figure
shows a more elaborate model.) The sender first
develops an idea, which is composed into a
message and then transmitted to the other
party, who interprets the message and receives
Easy
meaning. Developing a message is known as
encoding. Interpreting the message is referred
to as decoding.

Elements of communication must be present
and these include;
a) Speaker or sender, b) Message, c) Channel, d)
Receiver, e)Feedback, and f) Communicative
Situation.
Barriers in Communication According to
Category
Psychological Barriers
The psychological state of the communicators
will influence how the message is sent, received
and perceived.
For example:
If someone is stressed they may be preoccupied
by personal concerns and not as receptive to
the message as if they were not stressed.
Anger is another example of a psychological
barrier to communication. When we are angry it
is easy to say things that we may later regret,
and also to misinterpret what others are saying.
More generally people with low self-esteem
may be less assertive and therefore may not feel
comfortable communicating - they may feel shy
or embarrassed about saying how they really
feel, or read unintended negative sub-texts in
messages they hear.
Physiological Barriers
Physiological barriers to communication may
result from the receiver’s physical state.
For example, a receiver with reduced hearing
may not fully grasp the content of a spoken
conversation especially if there is significant
background noise.
Physical Barriers
An example of a physical barrier to
communication is geographic distance between
the sender and receiver(s).
Systematic Barriers
Systematic barriers to communication may exist
in structures and organizations where there are
inefficient or inappropriate information systems
and communication channels, or where there is
a lack of understanding of the roles and
responsibilities for communication. In such
organizations, people may be unclear of their
role in the communication process and
therefore not know what is expected of them.
Attitudinal Barriers
Attitudinal barriers are behaviors or perceptions
that prevent people from communicating
effectively. Attitudinal barriers to
communication may result from personality
conflicts, poor management, resistance to
change or a lack of motivation. To be an
effective receiver of messages you should
attempt to overcome your own attitudinal
barriers to to help ensure more effective
communication.
Language Barriers
Language and linguistic ability may act as a
barrier to communication.
However, even when communicating in the
same language, the terminology used in a
message may act as a barrier if it is not fully
understood by the receiver(s). For example, a
message that includes a lot of specialist jargon
and abbreviations will not be understood by a
receiver who is not familiar with the
terminology used.
Regional colloquialisms and expressions may be
misinterpreted or even considered offensive.
Principles of Communication
It is mentioned earlier that communication is an
acquired skills or something that you can learn
about as you go through the process of
development. But not everyone is skilled
knowing that there are some factors that affects
the development of one’s individual. To attain
such an effective communication, it is important
to know the principles of communication.
1. Principle of Clarity
The thought or idea that needs to be
communicated should be spelled properly. The
word should be arranged in such a way that the
receiver understand the same word which the
sender conveys. Pronunciation should be clear
as possible including the enunciation to avoid
misconception.
2. Principle of Attention
Attention is very important in communication.
One should pay attention to every single detail
in communicating. To understand what the
sender means, the receiver should be drawn
towards the message by paying attention to the
emotion, behavior, manner and gestures so they
may respond properly to the message.
3. Principles of Feedback
A feedback signifies that communication is
effective. Therefore, it is important to provide
feedback once communication takes place.
4. Principle of Informality
There are major distinctions between formal
and informal communication. To emphasize,
there are times that formal communication may
not accomplish and desired results so informal.
Communication can be effective and efficient in
some situations. It is valid to convey message
informally because it is as important as formal
communication.
5. Principle of Consistency
Consistency always matters in communication.
To achieve consistent result once must be
consistent in the way they communicate. It
contributes to the reputation of both sender
and receiver and strengthens relationship.
6. Principle of Timeliness
This principle states that communication should
be done at an accurate time as possible. To
attain this principle, the sender who conveys
the message should make a safety measures
when delivering the message. Time is very
important, when the receiver is not ready to
accept or hear the message it is therefore not
the right time to convey the message.
7. Principles of Adequacy
This principle is important in communication.
Inadequate message creates confusion to the
receiver, but an adequate message build rapport
to both parties. So it is important to deliver
adequate message at all times in all respect.
Communication Ethics
Ethics is the moral system or judgment of what
is right from wrong and also refers to the values,
conduct, manners and behavior with the
respect of rightness and wrongness of an action.
If it is used in communication, we define
communication ethics as the governing
principles of communication that has to do with
the rightness and wrongness as well as
appropriateness relevant to the dimensions of
communication. Ethical communication
advocates truthfulness, accuracy, honesty and
endorse freedom of expression with its diversity
of perspective that leads to the respect of other
communicators before evaluating and
responding to their messages.
Communication and Globalization
Globalization is the process by which people in
the world are unified and act as one society; in
order to have globalization a person has to
know a universal Language - which in most
cases; English is the language that connects us
to globalization. Also, globalization and
intercultural communication impacted the types
of communication skills needed in dramatic
ways.
Communication Issues in Intercultural Settings
1. Direct Communication and Indirect
Communication
This issue is commonly observed because of the
culture and background of two speakers.
Messages can be interpreted different because
of the differences in communication methods
and styles.
2. Confusion with Accent, Pronunciation
and Fluency
The diverse characteristic of a multi-cultural
communication set up may cause language
barrier to both sender and receiver. Message
may not be interpreted correctly and may not
be understood because of accent and
pronunciation differences.
3. Attitudes on Rank and Authority
A very important aspect of any organization is
the ability to work in a team. However, there is
a difference on how an organization treat rank
authority depending on their culture.
4. Different styles and Procedures in
Making Decisions
Different Cultures have different styles in
arriving at a decision or an agreement. They are
some companies or leading who are not very
transparent in giving out details when they
arrived at a decision while other cultures, like
Americans are swift and transparent in arriving
at decisions.
Impact of Communication in Society and the
World
Below is the impact of Communication in the
Society and World
1. Communication breaks the racial divide
Learning a new language, being exposed to
different cultures through various forms of
media helps us understand, respect and
appreciate other cultures
2. Communications evokes inspiration
In the history of the world, we have seen the
rise and fall of a Nation or a culture or Society
because of inspiring and charismatic speeches,
broadcasts and announcements of different
leaders and influencers.
3. Communication is a symbiotic
relationship

In order for communication to be effective,

messenger to first and foremost should
understand the message that he/she wants to
convey. Preparation, research and practice are
key factors that contribute to the success and
effectiveness of the communication.