Communication: –

Commutation is exchange of ideas and meaning between tow persons or groups. According to Dr. McFarland “communication is the process of meaningful interactions among human being. It is a process by which, meaning are perceived and understanding are reached among human beings.”

Communication, therefore can be through words, the way we stand the tone of our voice, the way we look at another i.e. any behaviour that we use to express what we are experiencing. There is a message in communication, which may be expressed verbally, non verbally or through postures or body language.

Basic elements involved in the process of communication cab be described as given below:-
1. The intention, ideas, feeling of the sender lead to his sending a message which conveys some content.
2. The sender encoding his message by translating his ideas, feeling and intentions into a message appropriate for transmission.
3. The transmission of the message to the receiver.
4. The channel through which the message is transmitted.
5. The receiver decoding the message by taking the stimuli received and interpreting its meaning. The interpretation of the meaning of a message depends upon the receiver’s comprehension of the content of the message and of the intention of the sender.
6. The receiver responding internally or externally to the interpretation of the message.

Means of communication: –

The effectiveness and completeness of communication takes place when the receiver receives exactly the same message which is being sent to him or intended by the sender. One can communicate through variety of ways such as verbal non verbal etc.

Communication through touch: –
Communication of caring and openness can occur through touching. Physical contact conveys a sense of reassuring, sharing closeness, understanding, pleasure or anger. Touch shows warmth and sympathy and conveys feelings for another which cannot be expressed through word alone.

Body Language :-
Body language refers to any movement of all or part of our body which express an intention to those concerned. It can be the way we sit, stand, hold our head, our eyes and lips move etc. Often the feeling we expressed through our body do not get expressed verbally and may even in conflict with our verbal statements. Therefore, it is extremely important that what message we are sending to other through our body.

Use of symbols: –
Words are symbols for communication, the meaning is not in the world but in the person who uses it. Words are self selected symbols chosen to represent a particular experience. They have little meaning in themselves. Forgetting the abstract nature of works (i.e. the word in themselves have no meaning) is an important cause of failure to communicate properly and adequately.

Feedback :-
Feedback is used of know how we are affecting others and if we are sending any contradictory message. Feedback refers to conscious communication, giving information as to how we are affecting others or in other words, how others in the situation feel or think of the action of the person.

Receiving message :-
Sending a message is only the beginning of the process of communication. Valid communication does not occur until the receiver has received the intended message of the sender. This is accomplished by the recipient interpreting the message and checking this interpretation with the sender.

Active Listening :-
The concept of ‘Active listening’ was developed by Rogers (1966) in his client centered therapy . In active listening we listen to what the person is saying, both the contents and feelings expressed and we verbally acknowledge that we are hearing him.

Communication in Social Work:-

In Social Work effective communication is very important because a social worker has to communicate with the client to get information and make decision on the basis of information available to him. Effective communication also helps in rapport building with the client,overall communication is the base of helping process in social work.