Contexts Of Communication

Question 1

What do we mean by context?

Answer 1

• Who is communicating and why?
• In what kind of atmosphere is the communication being conducted? (Political, religious, economic, social)
• What channel/medium is being used?
• What situation/circumstances surround communication act?
• Where is it taking place?

Question 2

What are the contexts of communication?

Answer 2

1. Intrapersonal Communication
2. Interpersonal Communication
3. Small Group Communication
4. Organizational Communication
5. Academic Communication
6. Public Communication
7. Intercultural/Cross Cultural Communication
8. Intracultural CommunIcation
9. Mass Communication

Question 3

Intrapersonal communication

Answer 3

Taking place or existing within the mind.

Examples:
❑ Daydreaming
❑ Writing one’s thoughts/reflections in a journal or diary
❑ Spontaneously chuckling at a memory, thought or mental picture
❑ Nodding one’s head in response to our “inner conversations”

Question 4

Interpersonal communication

Answer 4

COMMUNICATING WITH OTHERS THROUGH VERBAL AND NON-VERBAL MESSAGES

COMMUNICATING WITH TWO OR MORE PEOPLE INVOLVING DIRECT CONTACT SUCH AS FACE-TO-FACE COMMUNICATION OR COMMUNICATION WITH THE USE OF AIDS SUCH AS TELEPHONE OR THE INTERNET

Question 5

Dyadic communication

Answer 5

COMMUNICATION BETWEEN TWO PERSONS ONLY

Question 6

Small Group communication

Answer 6

Refers to a small group of persons, usually between 3-15, who interact with each other on a continuous basis over a given period of time for the purpose of achieving a common goal.

□ exists anywhere: in a business, church organization, classroom, community group, in a family
□ a small group is a forum to discuss or exchange ides and information
□ small groups possess characteristics not present in dyad.
□ Strongly affected by person in authority

Question 7

Organizational Context

Answer 7

Organizational communication refers to the communication that takes place within an organization or institution.

● It can be formal (e.g., memos, policies, job descriptions) or informal (e.g., grapevine, face-to-face interactions).
● Organizational communication can flow in different directions:
downward (from management to employees), upward (from employees to management), or horizontally (across levels).

Question 8

PUBLIC COMMUNICATION

Answer 8

In this type of communication, one person speaks to
several persons in a public setting.

• Speaker sends message by reading, speaking or using
visual presentations.
• Can facilitate feedback and discussions

Question 9

ACADEMIC COMMUNICATION

Answer 9

Academic communication is the context in which knowledge is passed and received

Question 10

Intercultural Communication

Answer 10

Between people of different cultural backgrounds
• Different religious, social, historical, ethnic, technological and educational backgrounds

Question 11

Intra-cultural Communication

Answer 11

Between people of the same cultural background, but
different sub-cultures

Question 12

Mass Communication

Answer 12

regarded as “mainstream media” beause coverage is usually of general interest to national and/or international audiences

• includes print media-newspapers, magazines
• includes electronic media (broadcast media) television, radio, internet
• provides entertainment, public service (through announcements)