Effective Communication Communication comes in many forms. Two of the most commonly used are written and oral communication. It is very important to know how to do both with respect, common courtesy and proper etiquette. The way you communicate with the public says a lot about you. It lets people know if you are educated or uneducated. In the Criminal Justice field, communication is everything. When reports have to be written accurately is the top priority. One single wording or misspelling can cause anyone a case. Effective communication is essential is the understanding of a person and their situation.
Communication also helps us build trust, friendships, and problem solving skills. As simple as a simple conversation may seem, you will be surprised how inappropriate communication can cause a misinterpretation in a conversation. According to (Robinson and Sigel, 2013), effective communication requires you to understand the emotion behind the information. So many different types of communication exist in today’s world, for example, verbal and non verbal communication, formal and informal communication and electronic communication. This can include phone calls, text messages, and emails. Verbal and Non-Verbal Communication
Verbal communication refers to the use of sounds and language to relay a message (Hanes, 2010). There are two basic types of verbal communication. They are interpersonal communication and public speaking. Interpersonal communication is what is known as a two-way conversation with both talking and listening. Non-verbal communication on the other hand is what we refer to as body language, signs, and symbols. It has no words related to it. This type of conversation also requires a person to know what they are trying to say. Any mistake in body language or signs can result in misinterpretation.
Non-verbal communications include eye contact, body language, facial expressions, and gestures. Non-verbal communication represents 2/3rd of all types of communication. Out of all the communication techniques that are used today, verbal communication still seems to be the preferred method, the easiest to understand. Formal and Informal Channels of Communication The formal channels of communication in the criminal justice system are the strict procedures. The informal channels of communication consist of the undocumented sharing of information (Sinclair, 2012).
Formal communication is organized and managed information that is shared with relevant individuals in order to secure coordinated action throughout the organization (Wilhelm, 2012). Communication in the criminal justice field involves a lot of privacy. Informal communication has a useful way of relaying information to other people. This type of communication is oral. Informal communication is like having a casual conversation. Overcoming Communication Barriers Everyone has had to overcome barriers in their life. Some people have had to overcome communication barriers.
These types of barriers are caused when a person is sometimes too shy to either speak up or speak in public; they may have speech impairments, or are unable to properly pronounce words due to their accents. Some of these barriers include emotional, physical, semantic barriers, and infective listening. Emotional barriers affect those with low self-esteem. These types of people tend to question what they are saying. Physical barriers involve the environment. Semantic barriers are when you cannot agree on what you are trying to say. To effectively overcome any communication barriers, one must first identify the barrier.
Practicing your speech in front of more than one person can help with your public speaking abilities. Conclusion Communication is the number one way in which humans have learned to interact with one another. Communication comes in various forms, from oral to a basic look. Signs and body expressions are also considered communication because it involves two or more people and something is being said or noted. No matter what type of communication your prefer to use, make sure your are not only expressing yourself correctly and respectfully, but are also hearing what is being communicated to you.
