Communication is the process of creating, sending, receiving, and interpreting messages between individuals or groups. The information, transferred with the messages, ought to be based on mutually understandable language in the broadest sense of the word. Therefore, communication could be verbal, nonverbal, written, or visual.
Communication is used by many animals, not just humans. However, only humans are known to ask questions, a behavior that requires the understanding that another individual may possess knowledge the asker does not have. Additionally, humans are unique in using communication to share abstract ideas, plans, and beliefs. While many other species exchange information, emotions, or signals with meaning, human communication goes further by enabling complex reasoning, creativity, and the sharing of symbolic concepts.
Key Elements of Communication
- Sender – the person or entity who initiates the message
- Message – the content being communicated
- Medium/Channel – the method of transmission (e.g., speech, text, media)
- Receiver – the person or audience who receives the message
- Feedback – the response or reaction from the receiver
- Noise – any interference that distorts or disrupts the message