Face to face communication

Face to face communication is also named as face to face interaction or face to face discourse. It is defined as an interaction that "takes place in the context of co-presence; the participants in the interaction are immediately present to one another and share a common Spatio-temporal reference system. Face to face communication is also dialogical character, in the sense that it generally involves a two-way flow of information and communication, so that producers are also recipients and vice versa. Furthermore, the participants in face to face interaction commonly employ a multiplicity of symbolic cues - gestures and facial expressions as well as words - to convey messages and to interpret the messages conveyed by others ".

Advantages of face to face communication

The advantages of face to face communication for students are:

• group interaction,
• knowledge sharing,
• fewer barriers to communication,
• fewer distractions so greater concentration (e.g. doing simultaneous tasks during conference calls)
• reading body language,
• facial expression,
• being able to remember messages for longer.

The advantages of face to face communication in a learning environment are:

• learning from industry experts & gurus first hand,
• listening to speakers who inspire new ideas, challenge the norm and initiate change in everyday thinking,
• networking time with colleagues that helps build relationships,
• networking time with peers in similar field from other businesses,
• getting time out of the office for clearer, creative thinking,
• gaining insights into industry research and development issues,
• important updates for my day to day work.

Face to face communication vs Online communication

In an opinion of P. S. N. Lee, L. L. Ven-Hwei Lo, C. Xiong, T. Wu: Face-to-face communication demands the effort and engagement of participants to succeed and be maintained. The efforts made by participants indicate certain degrees of respect and appreciation of the communicating partners. Internet communication, on the other hand, can be interrupted at any moment or conducted with intermittent delays. Internet users are not required to have immediate responses, and mind their facial or nonverbal expressions when they are online. These differences between online and offline interpersonal communication contribute to different types of social interactions and support, and subsequently perceptions of life quality.

The damaging effect of online person-to-person communication on aspect of life might be clarified by the fact that individuals who like social interactions and support offline, frequently involve in online interrelation connection for some reasons, such as supplementing offline interactions or communicating with unknown people. Nevertheless, they think that such networked disclosure is less pleasurable in terms of providing social interplay or support like that which they have gained offline. For that reason online users have a low rating on the influence of online interpersonal communication on quality of life.

Examples of Face to face communication

• Conversations between two people: This is the most common form of face to face communication and is typically seen between two people engaged in a dialogue. This type of communication involves the exchange of thoughts, feelings, and ideas between two people.
• Group discussions: Group discussions are a type of face to face communication that involve multiple people. This type of communication involves the exchange of ideas and opinions among a group of people.
• Debates: Debates are a type of face to face communication that involve two people or groups of people arguing for their respective points of view. This type of communication involves the exchange of statements, facts, and opinions in order to prove the validity of a certain view.
• Presentations: Presentations are a type of face to face communication that involve a speaker presenting information to an audience. This type of communication involves the speaker conveying information, ideas, and opinions in an organized and effective manner.
• Meetings: Meetings are a type of face to face communication that involve a group of people discussing an issue or topic. This type of communication involves the exchange of information and opinions in order to come to a collective decision or agreement.

Limitations of Face to face communication

• Time and Distance: Face to face communication is limited in its ability to reach people who are not in the same physical location. This can be a problem if communicating with someone who is far away or when multiple people need to communicate at once.
• Physical Barriers: Physical barriers such as walls or furniture can make it difficult for people to communicate effectively.
• Language Differences: Language can be a barrier in face to face communication if people do not share a common language. This can lead to misunderstandings and confusion.
• Non-Verbal Cues: While face to face communication allows for the exchange of non-verbal cues, such as body language and facial expressions, these can be difficult to interpret and may lead to misinterpretations.
• Interruptions: It is easy for people to interrupt each other in face to face communication, which can lead to misunderstandings and frustration.
• Overload: In face to face communication, it can be difficult to process all the information being exchanged, leading to confusion and frustration.

Other approaches related to Face to face communication

• Nonverbal Communication: Nonverbal communication includes facial expressions, body language, gestures, eye contact, personal space, physical touch, and tone of voice. These cues are used to convey messages to other people without the use of words.
• Interpersonal Communication: Interpersonal communication is a two-way process of exchanging information, ideas, and feelings between two people or groups. It includes verbal and nonverbal communication, as well as listening.
• Group Communication: Group communication is the exchange of messages among members of a group. Group communication can be formal or informal, and it can take place within a group of people, between two or more groups, or within an organization.
• Written Communication: Written communication is the exchange of written messages, including emails, text messages, memos, and letters. Written communication is used to convey information and ideas between people.
• Visual Communication: Visual communication is the use of images and graphics to convey a message. Visual communication can include photographs, videos, illustrations, diagrams, and charts.

In conclusion, face to face communication is one of the most common forms of communication, and it involves the exchange of verbal and nonverbal messages between two or more people. Other approaches related to face to face communication include nonverbal communication, interpersonal communication, group communication, written communication, and visual communication. All of these approaches involve the exchange of messages between people, but in different ways.

Footnotes

Face to face communication — recommended articles

Interpersonal communication skills — Oral communication — Informal communication — Barriers to communication — Effective communication — Process of business communication — Communication process — Formal and informal communication — Ability to communicate

References

• Crowley D. J., Mitchell D. (1994), Communication Theory Today', Stanford University Press
• Lee P. S. N., Wu T, Ven-Hwei Lo L. L., C. Xiong (2011),Internet Communication Versus Face-to-face Interaction in Quality of Life, Data Analytics and Survey Research Centre
• Travers C. (2015), Does The Future Have Room For Face To Face Communication?, Loughborough Limited Loughborough University Leicestershire

Author: Dominika Pałkowska