36 types of communication › What is it, Characteristics, Verbal, Non-verbal

36 types of communication

There are two main types of communication according to the use (or not) of linguistic signs:

Verbal
Non verbal

From there, there are new classifications of types of communication, based on different factors:

According to the number of participants.
According to the type of response.
According to the sensory channel.
According to the type of communication medium.
According to the communication objective.
According to its scope.
Depending on the type of data transmission.

Communication is the process of generation, transmission and exchange of messages between a sender (who generates and transmits the message) and a receiver (who interprets and responds to said message). It is a complex process, hence there are as many classifications according to multiple variables as those mentioned below.

According to the use of linguistic signs

A linguistic sign is a unit made up of a concept or meaning and a spoken or written word, called the signifier. If we see a whitish accumulation in the sky we know that it is a cloud (meaning) and that in Spanish it is composed of the letters n, u, bye (significant).

The ability to use linguistic signs is unique to human beings. Depending on whether or not they are present in our communication, this can be of two types:

1 Verbal communication

Oral communication is a type of communication that requires the use of linguistic signs such as the written word (spellings) or spoken (phonemes) in order to be carried out.

This is the most important type of communication since it requires the execution of cognitive processes (thinking) and this is something that only human beings can do.
Oral communication, in turn, is classified into two types:

Oral communication : involves the use of speech. This not only requires physical and cognitive ability to create and communicate meaningful words, but also a common code. In this case, the code is the language or language, which is a system of linguistic signs common to a group of people.

An example of oral communication would be a conversation between two people who speak the same language.

Written communication : requires the use of a written code. In this case, the code is the spellings or signs that we use to represent the words. These signs must be part of a common system, called the alphabet, which in turn is a series of grammatical rules that regulate their use, such as accentuation rules.

An example of written communication would be a text message written in the Spanish language to a recipient who also speaks the same language.

In verbal communication, it is extremely important that the sender and receiver share the oral (language) or written (alphabet) code in which the message is sent. Otherwise, it cannot be interpreted or answered by the receiver, which means the failure of the communication process.

2. Non-verbal communication

It is any process of information exchange in which it is not necessary to use words, neither oral nor written. It is subclassified into three types:

Kinesic non-verbal communication: refers to the use of body language. For example, gestures and looks.
Non-verbal proxemic communication: it has to do with the distance between one person and another, which varies according to the circumstance and culture. For example, in Latin America it is normal for people to be very close, but in Anglo-Saxon countries this can be interpreted as aggression.
Non-verbal paralinguistic communication: refers to the expression of sounds without words. For example, a cry of euphoria, a yawn, changes in tone of voice, etc.

According to the number of participants

Depending on the number of people who are part of the message exchange, the communication can be:

3.Individual communication

It means that communication occurs from one individual to another. One of them sends the message (sender) and the other receives it (receiver). Eventually these roles can be swapped if necessary.

For example, in a conversation:

-Emitter: Hello, how are you?

-Recipient: I'm fine.

-Emitter: tell me, how are you doing?

-Receiver: better than ever. I got a new job!

4. Collective communication

It is a type of communication that is generated when there are more than two people exchanging messages.

An example of collective communication is a work meeting where all participants exchange ideas.

5. Intra-collective communication

It is when a group of people who are communicating belong to the same group.

An example of collective communication is when a group of students come together to discuss a group assignment.

6. Inter-collective communication

These are exchanges of messages between different groups.

For example, in a company, the Finance team meets with the Human Resources team to discuss certain company decisions.

7.Mass communication

It is when a single issuer (which can be an individual or a group that acts as a single issuer) addresses a group of people who act as receivers.

For example, in a concert, a solo singer or a band would be the emitters, and the audience would be the receiver.

According to the type of response

The exchange of messages in the communication process can be carried out in real time or not. Based on that, communication can be:

8.Synchronous communication

The exchange of information happens in real time, that is, immediately.

Example, a video call, a conversation.

9. Asynchronous communication

The exchange of information does not happen in real time. Therefore, the sender of the message will have to wait a while to receive a response, if required.

For example, an email is sent immediately, but it is not always answered immediately.

According to the sensory channel

Depending on which sense the information is perceived, which reaches the nervous system in the form of a stimulus, communication can be:

10.Touch communication

It involves the sense of touch to perceive volumes and textures that provide information to the receiver.

For example, the method of reading and writing Braille, which allows people with visual disabilities to communicate.

11 olfactory communication

Communication is established through smell.

A common example is that many times we can detect if a food is in bad condition just by the smell it emits.

12. Visual communication

Information is perceived through the sense of sight

A common example is that in most cases, humans do not need a photograph to be described to us to understand the message it communicates.

13. Gustatory communication

Information is perceived through the sense of taste.

For example, when we have a drink or a meal.

14 Auditory communication

Information is perceived through the sense of hearing.

For example, oral communication and music.

According to the type of communication medium

The media are instruments that allow the sending of messages to a massive group of recipients. Depending on the medium used to share a message, communication can be:

15.Digital communication

It refers to the type of communication that is established through channels that use digital technology. In this case, the information is spread over the internet.

For example, a web page, email, social networks.

16.Television communication

In this case, the channel or instrument to transmit the message is television. There, the sender (in this case, the programming of each of the channels) emits a message that the receiver (the viewer) receives through a screen.

17. Radio communication

Communication is generated through radio, which is the channel through which the message is broadcast. In this case, the transmitter is made up of all radio stations.

18. Telephone communication

It is the communication process that occurs over the telephone.

For example, a call or a message.

19. Cinematographic communication

It uses the cinema as a means of transmitting a message, which in turn is contained in the film, video or audiovisual material that you want to share with the receiver.

According to the communication objective

Taking into account the objective to be achieved with the emission of the message, the communication can be:

20. Journalistic communication

Use the media to deliver messages for informational purposes.

For example, television newscasts or local news websites.

21. Advertising communication

It is a type of communication that is used in order to publicize a product or service, generally to boost its sale.

For example, when we see an advertisement on a YouTube video from a recognized brand.

22. Educational communication

It is the transmission of a message with an educational objective. The end, in this case, is to teach something.

The most common example is that of a teacher teaching a class. A YouTube tutorial that explains how to solve a specific problem is also a form of educational communication.

23. Political communication

It is a type of communication whose objective is to influence public opinion in a political context.

An example of political communication are the strategies used in electoral campaigns. These may include choosing certain colors in your wardrobe, broadcasting a previously elaborated speech, or creating iconic images, such as the politician holding the baby or kissing an older person on the forehead.

The goal, in this case, is to have a positive impact on voters.

24. Organizational communication

It refers to the communications managed by organizations. These can have an internal objective, such as communications between the company and staff, or an external objective, such as communications between the company and its consumers, the media, its suppliers, etc.

Within organizational communication there are several categories:

25. Two-way communication: communication takes place between a group of people in the organization and everyone is expected to participate actively. For example, an email requesting a response from everyone involved.
26. One-way communication: communication is managed by a sender and no response is expected from the receiver. For example, when sending a termination letter.
27. Upward communication: communication is executed from a position of power to the lower ranks. For example, when a boss calls a meeting.
28. Downward communication: communication is managed by company employees, who direct their message to their superiors. For example, a call for a union with the owners of the company.
29. Formal communication : the communication process is subject to compliance with certain rules. For example, the emails should include a greeting, the graphic identity of the company, the use of certain vocabulary, etc.
30. Informal communication: communication is not subject to any particular rule. For example, emails or direct messages between co-workers.

According to its diffusion

When a sender and a receiver participate in a communication process, it is not always necessary or desirable that the message be disseminated to new receivers. In this case, the communication can be:

31 Private communication

The communicative process is maintained between the sender and the receiver. For example, a phone call between two people.

32. Public communication

The transmission of the message may or should include new recipients. For example, the dissemination of a news item of national interest.

Depending on the type of data transmission

In the world of telecommunications there are several types of computer communication:

33. Simplex data communication

It is a type of computer communication in which the data (the message) is sent in a unidirectional way. That is, it is not expected that there will be a response or feedback from the receiver. An example is television or radio, which only broadcast messages, but it is not possible to interact with that content.

34. Half-duplex data communication

In this case, the communicational process occurs bi-directionally, in an exchange of messages between the sender and the receiver. However, the receiver must wait for the data to be sent to be able to respond, since the process cannot occur simultaneously.

For example, when using walkie talkie , the sender sends his message and must wait for the receiver to receive it to continue communication.

35. Duplex data communication

It is a data transmission system that uses two simplex systems, which allows communication to be bidirectional and simultaneous.

An example of a duplex system is video calls.

36. Serial data communication

Serial data transmission requires breaking the information into smaller pieces, which will be sent one by one until the data packet is completed.

An example of this type of communication is Morse code.

Update date: 09 February 2021.

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36 types of communication › What is it, Characteristics, Verbal, Non-verbal