Mass Communication vs Personal Communication: Differences, Advantages, Disadvantages, Jobs
Ever wondered how Mass Communication and Personal Communication differ from each other? In this article, we will be sharing some details about what they are and how they are different from each other.
Mass Communication v/s Personal Communication
Mass Communication vs Personal Communication: In simple terms, communication is the process of transferring information from one place, person, or group to another. It can be from a single person to another, or a group, or just through a device that broadcasts a message to the masses in one go. Every form of communication has at least one sender, a receiver, and a message. However, it is not that simple; there are various layers hidden under it.
In this article, we will discuss these along with the types of communication, as well as the difference between mass communication and personal communication, their advantages, disadvantages, and much more. Read further to learn more.
Mass communication means transmitting a message or information to a large audience. It is done with the efficient use of technology and includes Radio, TV, Newspapers, Magazines, Internet, etc. These means are consumed by a lot of audience at a single point in time.
Communication is the way to share and receive messages and information between two or more people. A successful communication needs a sender, a message, and a receiver.
Communication are of two types - mass communication, and personal communication. These are then divided into two parts verbal and nonverbal communication and visual communication.
- What are Mass Communication and Personal Communication?
- Difference Between Mass Communication and Personal Communication
- Job Options in Mass Communication and Personal Communication
What are Mass Communication and Personal Communication?
Before getting into the details, let's briefly understand the meaning of mass communication and personal communication. This will help us understand the differences between the two and even their similarities.
Meaning of Mass Communication
Mass Communication means relaying a message from a single sender to the masses or large number of receivers. Mass communication is widely used in the Journalism and Advertising fields, where it is imperative to share the message with a wider audience at once. Mass communication is practised through various channels like radio, television, social networking, billboards, newspapers, magazines, books, films, and the internet. Mass Communication utilises various forms of media as technology for the efficient dissemination of information.
Mass communication is even taught as a course by the best mass communication colleges across the country and abroad. During this course, students are taught how the content and information that is being mass communicated persuades or affects the behaviours, attitudes, opinions, or emotions of people.
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Meaning of Personal Communication
On the other hand, personal communication is a conversation that is limited to the same person or just another person. Like private letters, memos, maintaining a personal diary, email drafts, notes, personal interviews, telephonic conversations, etc. Unlike mass communication, personal communication doesn't have any commercial value, nor can it be used to spread awareness. It is limited to the sender and, in some cases, just one receiver. However, it still influences the parties involved.
Difference Between Mass Communication and Personal Communication
From the following table, we have tried to create a difference between mass communication and personal communication, so that it becomes easier to understand how the two differ on various parameters.
| Basis |
Mass Communication |
Personal Communication |
|---|---|---|
| Meaning |
Mass Communication is the process of relaying a message to a large audience through mass means.. |
Personal Communication means a conversation that is limited to oneself. |
| Involves |
Involves a large audience, and is generally one-way in nature, with the message being transmitted through the means of technology. |
There is either no audience involved or just one person (the receiver) in personal communication. The message is limited to personal or private use. |
| Structure |
It is formal and structured, and the message follows a standardised format like a news, radio broadcast, video message, or article, which is created keeping in mind the interest of a large audience. |
Personal communication can be unstructured; there is no standard format. This is because the usage is limited to the person who is drafting the message; there is a lot of scope for creativity and customisation, like creating a to-do list, writing a short message reminder, putting down a day's worth of thoughts in a diary, etc. |
| Scope |
In mass communication, there is no or low scope of interactivity as there are limited to no opportunities for feedback or two-way exchange of messages. An individual cannot send a return message to TV news or radio. |
As personal communication is limited to only one person, there is no need for feedback or counter-communication. |
| Mode |
The mode of mass communication is a technology like TV, Radio, Website, etc. |
The mode of personal communication is limited to personal notes, drafts, to-do lists, and reminders. |
| Feedback |
Feedback is nil in this case, as the audience cannot send a message right away to the news being shown on TV or a broadcast on the radio. |
There is no score or need for feedback as the sender and receiver are the same person. |
| Control |
The control in mass communication is in the hands of the sender, as the message is created keeping a wide audience in mind, so there is no creativity or customization. |
The control in personal communication is with the sender, and hence there is scope for creativity and customization as the sender can modify or make changes as per their need. |
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Job Options in Mass Communication and Personal Communication
Below are some job options to pursue in mass communication and personal communication.
| Job Opportunities in Mass Communication |
Job Opportunities in Personal Communication |
|---|---|
| Teacher or Instructor |
|
| Interpreter or Translator |
|
| Crisis Intervention Specialist |
|
| Coach or Mentor |
|
| - |
|
| - |
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The various types of mass communication are radio, television, newspapers, magazines, internet, while types of personal communication are - memos, to-do lists, reminders, drafts, one-on-one interviews, and telephonic conversations.
Mass communication is the means of transmitting a message or information to the masses. The various examples of mass communication are - radio, television, social networking, billboards, newspapers, magazines, books, film medium, and the internet.
Personal communication is divided into various clusters. Some of the four basic categories that come under personal communication are - verbal, listening, written, and nonverbal communication.
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Mass communication means sharing a message or information to a wide audience at one point in time while personal communication is the communication between a person to person. Personal communication is private and cannot be used as a mass way to share information.