Three Types Of Interpersonal Communication, Misunderstand

Communication is a process in which symbols are used to generate and understand meaning in a particular environment. It is a continuing activity that has no beginning and no end (Chesebro, 2014). The primary function of communication is to make people understand and interpret the message accurately (Jacobson, 2009). Through communication, misunderstand can be avoided. Generally, communication can be categorized into three types: intrapersonal communication, interpersonal communication and small group communication (refer to Figure 1 in Appendix 1).
The first type of communication is intrapersonal communication. Intrapersonal communication is communication within oneself or engaged in self-talking. Daydreaming, imaging, perceiving, and solving …show more content…
This complex communication involves two or more people in the face-to-face communication. People engaged in meaning, information and emotional exchange through verbal and non-verbal messages. There are three levels of interpersonal communication, which are I-It, I-You and I-Thou communication (Buber, 1970). People treat others like an object and impersonal in the I-It relationship. The human nature and presence of others are not recognizable in this relationship. For instance, waiters and salesmen are being treated as instruments to fulfill others’ demands (Wood, 2012). When homeless people are begging for something to eat but being disregarded, this situation is identified as an extreme form of I-It communication. This is because the beggars are being ignored completely by passers-by. Most of the relationship will build up and transform into the second level: I-You communication. The acknowledgement of other’s existence is higher than the previous communication in this phase. According to Steinberg (1995), there are interactions and feedbacks within members in family, workplace, class as well as online forum. I-You relationship is distinguished by the role-bound intercommunication, which people tends to know the existence of others, but they do not engage entirely with them. Unlike I-It and I-You communication, I-Thou communication involves treating others as a unique person, which is considered as …show more content…
Cragan, Wright, and Kasch (2009) stated that there are at least three people interacting toward the common purpose either verbally or nonverbally in small group communication. There is a greater chance to build up personal relationship if more people involved in the communication. A class study by Kephart (1950) found that the number of relationships rises with the increasing in group size. There are two important elements in small group communication, which being identified as networking and role. Harris and Nelson (2008) pointed out that network is the pattern of information flow which shows the method used by group members in order to exchange messages. Communication network is vital in a small group discussion. It consists of two sorts: centralized network and decentralized network. In centralized network, anyone can become the leader despite the capability; however, in decentralized network, a person requires the best qualification in order to become a group leader. Moreover, decentralized system tends to work efficiently and professionally compared to the centralized system. According to Pennington (2002), centralized network pattern is usually perceived like the wheel, the chain, or the Y; while the circle network is the example of the decentralized network. Besides, West and Turner (2014) stated that roles are the group members’ position and their affiliation to the group. Different member will be assigned