Types of Communication
While Mead’s theory deals more with the general concept of human interaction, other theories branch off into more specific areas within communication studies, so it becomes helpful to review various types of communication.
Intrapersonal Communication
Earlier, this chapter explored the basics of the communication model (message, sender, receiver, channel or medium), but what if the sender and receiver are the same person? In this instance, intrapersonal communication occurs. Now, before thinking about whether or not it sounds “crazy” to talk to oneself, relax—everyone does it. Intrapersonal communication is referred to as thought, or communication where the communicator simultaneously operates as the sender and receiver. Intrapersonal communication internalizes a communicator’s use of language, but individuals might find that they use it in any or all of the following situations:
- Reading out loud to themselves
- Internal monologues
- Formulating thoughts before composing, whether by hand or typing (doodling and drawing also fall into this category)
- Making gestures while thinking (some people do this while practicing speeches in their heads)
- Sensemaking, as in the previous “four-legged monoshelf” example, before the classmate walked in
- Interpreting others’ nonverbal communication symbols
- Communication between parts of the bodies (e.g., “My legs are telling me that I should not go to the gym today.”)
Healthy intrapersonal communication provides the foundation for all other forms of communication, for intrapersonal interactions help formulate the messages that get sent to external audiences. Dysfunctional (or nonexistent) intrapersonal communication behaviors often result in sending messages without thinking about them first, only to end up regretting having done so later.
Intrapersonal communication precedes external communication in forms such as the thought process involved in composing messages before delivering them, as well as any deliberate decisions individuals might make regarding how they send the message, such as choosing the accompanying nonverbal tone, inflection, or facial expressions. These choices affecting how to compose and deliver messages form the foundation for human interaction. Whether verbal or nonverbal in nature, external communication does not appear out of nowhere. Such messages originate from an internal cognitive process, which may be deliberately thought-out or unintentionally reactive, but regardless, intrapersonal communication requires careful monitoring and control to ensure effective interpersonal communication.
Interpersonal Communication
Once other people get added to the conversation, intrapersonal communication transforms into interpersonal communication. McCornack (2010) defined interpersonal communication as “a dynamic form of communication between two (or more) people in which the messages exchanged significantly influence their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationship