ASSIGNMENT SUBMISSION AND ASSESSMENT

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CBFC1103
INTRODUCTION TO COMMUNICATION
JANUARY 2016
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Contents
Introduction..................................................................................................................................2
Main Functions of Communication in This New Century..........................................................2
Implications of technology on face-to-face communication among people living in the urban
areas in Malaysia.........................................................................................................................4
Effective strategy on how to improve communication skills for people living in the rural areas
in Malaysia...................................................................................................................................8
Conclusion.................................................................................................................................10

Introduction
References

Everyone communicates and this communication could takes place anywhere and anytime and at
times this even happens without being realized. This is so as sometimes means of
communication could be non-verbal like eye movement, gesture, a simple beckon or some other
means like body language. Thus, a person involves himself in communication either verbally or
non-verbally. The effectiveness of communication and the power of good communication has
always been realized and acknowledged. It has a strong influence on a persons success, whether
at work or in personal life. Hence, the capacity to communicate well and effectively is often
related to the success of a person in adapting himself in various situations --- be it in personal
relation, or amongst members of different cultures, or be it in ones professional and private life.
Having said this, it is generally believed with strong evidence that the technological
advancement changes the method of communication between people. Technological
advancement has its own impact on communication in this new century (Chen and Katz, 2009).

Main Functions of Communication in This New Century

In this few years there has been great technological advancement, especially in the computer and
mobile technology. Things which one did verbally, like had get together, have personal, formal or
official meetings, conferences and other such conclaves which required physical presence, has
been replaced by virtual presence. People can now easily connect with each other with
technologies and apps like WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and numerous other social
and networking sites. They need not speak even a single word but have to communicate using
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text or other written means or even sharing snaps and images. So while communication is
happening, the means to communicate have changed in this new century (Babbie, 2001).
Often one communicates but does not realize that the effective communication is taking place
with the help of new technologies. Therefore, one must be able to appreciate the meaning and
significance of communication. To understand the meaning and significance of communication
one must be familiar and understand the functions of communication. Following are the
functions of communications, especially in the context of the new century:
i) Information function:
The basic requirement of adapting and adjusting oneself to the environment is information. There
must be some information about what is going on in the environment which concerns the people.
The receiving or giving of information underlines all communication functions, either directly or
indirectly.
ii) Command or instructive function:
Those who are hierarchically superior in the family, society or organization, often initiate
communication either for the purpose of informing their subordinates or for the purpose of
telling them, what to do, how to do when to do etc. The command and instructive functions of
communication are more observable in formal organizations than in informal organizations.
iii) Influence or persuasive function:
The sole purpose of communication is to influence people. Persuasive function of
communication i.e. to induce people is extremely important for extension in changing their
behavior in the desirable direction.
iv) Integrative function:
A major function of communication is integration at the interpersonal or at the organizational
level. This helps in maintaining individual, societal or organizational stability and identity.

From the above it is clear that Communication is more than merely imparting meaning. An idea,
no matter how great, is useless until it is transmitted and understood by others. It must include
both the transference and the understanding of meaning. There are four major objects of
communication:

Control

Communication acts to control member behavior in several ways:

Organizations have authority hierarchies and formal guidelines that employees are

required to follow.

Informal communication also controls behavior. When work groups tease or

harass a member who produces too much, they are informally communicating with, and
controlling, the members behavior.

Motivation

Communication fosters motivation by clarifying to employees what is to be done,

how well they are doing, and what can be done to improve performance.

The formation of specific goals, feedback on progress toward the goals, and

reinforcement of desired behavior all stimulate motivation and require communication.

Emotional Expression

Communication provides a release for the emotional expression of feelings and

for fulfillment of social needs. For many employees, their work group is a primary source
for social interaction (Courtney, 2014).

Information

Communication facilitates decision making. It provides information by

transmitting the data to identify and evaluate alternative choices.

None of these 4 objects is more important than the others. Once can assume that almost every
communication interaction that takes place in a group or organization achieves one or more of
these four objects (Courtney, 2014).

Implications of technology on face-to-face communication

among people living in the urban areas in Malaysia

Now as it is clear about the various functions and objects of communication and there is now
clear understanding on the actual significance of communication, it is now important to ascertain
as to how the technology can impact face-to-face communication amongst the people living,
especially in the urban areas of Malaysia (Digital Media Across Asia. 2010). It is a well known
and acknowledged fact that the technology comes first and is well adopted in the urban areas.
Rural areas may not have the facility or even real motivation to implement the new technologies.
For instance, the way new mobile technology, devices and apps would spread in urban areas,
would be much faster and more comprehensive than compared to the rural areas like villages in
Malaysia. So it is more meaningful to study the impact of Implications of technology on faceto-face communication among people living in the urban areas in Malaysia. The impact the
newly invented technologies had brought along over the traditional way of communication, faceto-face communication is significant. As far as the Mobile Instant Messaging is concerned, it has
instilled the sense of obsession amongst the urbane youths not only for entertainment purpose but
also has impacted the way social communication take place. Many researchers have attempted to
study the impact of new technologies of the new century like Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM)
on the Interpersonal Communication and Relationship Development of Youths in Malaysia.
Surveys have also been conducted by the researchers on the participants from the urban
Malaysian youth and the finding revealed that the impact of Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) on
the interpersonal communication and relationship development of youths is relatively
encouraging. Analytically, the fact that the technological advancement has been able to replace a
number of social processes and activities, yet to keep interpersonal communication and
relationship balance and positive remain as parts of the youths social concern (CTIA, 2010).
It is shown by many researchers that there has been a positive effect of Instant Messaging (MIM)
on the Interpersonal Communication and Relationship Development of Youths who uses
Smartphone in Malaysia. The vast advancements of technology has significantly created
a new way for communication between people. The researchers also reveal that the usage must
be in a proper perspective. For instance, according to Courtney (2014), if technology is used in a
proper manner, it may be used as a positive cause, for example to conduct Businesses, but if it is
used improperly, it may mould us into people who are socially awkward in face-to-face

communications. The main issue and problem that this study highlights is the deterioration of
interpersonal development of youths, ranging from the ages of 13 to 20 years old, in terms of
their interpersonal communication skills, as well as their interpersonal relationships with those
around them. We know how youths these days depend a lot on technologies to communicate with
their peers, and forgetting the essence of communication is that of face-to-face communication
(Digital Media Across Asia. 2010).
This study particularly conducted a Survey Research which was used in this research design in
order to identify and observe the method of communication most preferred by youths and to
what extent does this affect and impact their Interpersonal Communication and Relationship
Development. The respondents from the distributed survey consist of youths from the Klang
Valley area, particularly in the cities of Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and Kuala Lumpur. This area
was chosen due to the fact that there are many youths between the ages of 13 to 20 years old
staying around this area, as there are many learning institutions around the area. Also, these are
the areas that have high probability of youths owning personal mobile phones, which is the most
important tool of communication that was used for this research (Davie, Panting and Charlton,
2004).
The main instrument of data collection in this study was a set of carefully constructed closeended questionnaires for the identified sample. The questions constructed responded to the
aspects and issues like:
Whether WhatsApp is the most commonly used Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) application by
youths.
Whether the average level of Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) usage, and level of Interpersonal
Communication and Relationship Development of youths are at a good level.
Whether there is a significant relationship between the uses of Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM)
towards face-to-face communication.
Whether there is a significant relationship between the uses of Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM)
towards face-to-face communication.
In this work, the majority of the respondents living area was the urban area, which consists of
more than 50.0% from the total sample size (72.0%). However, the respondents that come from
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rural area were a really small percentage, which is at 2.0% or 4 respondents in total. Respondents
that lives in the suburban area, was ranked as the second highest living area category, which
consist about 52 respondents in total. In terms of age distribution in this study, the age of
participants ranged from 13 to 20 years old. On average, the average age of participants in this
study was 17 years.
The study revealed that most used Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) application among youths.
Its indicates that in this study majority of the youths these days need some form of Instant
Messaging application (72.5%) in their phone and that the WhatsApp application was rated as
the most important application that they would need in their phone. Social Media (22.0%)
application was rated as the second most important application that they need in their phone,
while only 5.5% of the respondents claim that games was one of the most important phone
application they need in their phone. It also indicates that majority of the respondents (78.0%)
agree that communication application such as Instant Messaging and Social Media applications
were the most important application that they would need in their mobile phones.
The research also revealed that average level of Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) usage and
level of Interpersonal Communication and Relationship Development of youths were at a good
level. There is a significant relationship between the uses of Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM)
towards face-to-face communication. In effect the face-to-face communication had improved due
to the impact of the new technologies. Thus, there is a significant relationship between the uses
of Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) towards face-to-face communication. It is indicated that, the
level of the Face-to-face Communication among youths was at a good level due the summated
average value was greater than 72.00. In addition, it can also be concluded that on average, the
Interpersonal Relationship among the youth generation was also at good level, as the average
value was more than 60.00 cut-off point for this measurement.
There were some Correlation statistical tests also conducted. By using descriptive statistics, the
tests were performed and some plots were graphed. The plots are presented below (Jensen,
2002):

The three parameters Face-to-Face communication, Interpersonal Relations and Use of Mobile
Instant Messaging have increased as shown in the plots (Jensen, 2002). The three parameters are
correlated and it is clear from the above graph that Face-to-Face Communication has improved
with the increase in the Use of Mobile Instant Messaging like WhatsApp. From the results above,
it can be concluded that, the high use of Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) among youths will
make their Face-to-Face Communication good. It is also indicates that by high use of Mobile
Instant Messaging (MIM) among youths, it will also make their Interpersonal Relationship
stronger because the results above revealed that all the three variables were significantly
positively correlated to each other (Davie, Panting and Charlton, 2004).

Effective strategy on how to improve communication skills for

people living in the rural areas in Malaysia
So far the above reports, statistics and even plots suggested that three parameters Face-to-Face
communication, Interpersonal Relations and Use of Mobile Instant Messaging have increased in
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the urban areas. It was mentioned that the respondents from the distributed survey consisted of
youths from the Klang Valley area, particularly in the cities of Petaling Jaya, Shah Alam and
Kuala Lumpur. This area was chosen due to the fact that there are many youths between the ages
of 13 to 20 years old staying around this area, as there are many learning institutions around the
area. So the data comes from the youths of the major cities of Malaysia. The situation is not
similar in the rural areas and villages in Malaysia.
At present the usage of mobile phones, internet, modern technologies and infrastructure is not
widely available in the rural areas, especially the remote and inaccessible areas. It is always
demand and supply which is important in business. The proliferation of technologies is a result
of a company adopting the new technology, launching new products using that technology and
selling the products to the people. The new technology products are sold where there is highest
demand. Since the cost of living and affordability is different in urban areas as compared to the
rural areas, the new century products are sold lot easier in the urban areas. Also, the affordability,
adaptability and usage of products in rural areas cannot be matched with urban areas like cities in
Malaysia. Hence there will always be disparity. Since it was established that the three variables
Face-to-Face communication, Interpersonal Relations & Use of Mobile Instant Messaging are
correlated so it was clear that Face-to-Face Communication has improved with the increase in
the Use of Mobile Instant Messaging like WhatsApp. From the results above, it was also
concluded that, the high use of Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) among youths would make
their Face-to-Face Communication good. It was also clearly indicated that by high use of Mobile
Instant Messaging (MIM) among youths, it will also make their Interpersonal Relationship
stronger because the results above revealed that all the three variables were significantly
positively correlated to each other (Kopomaa, 2000).
From this study and the evidence as well as the data provided in support of the conclusion which
was made above, it can be clearly stated that this also holds true for those living in the rural
areas. Thus, the technology needs to be promoted in the rural areas as well. Currently
communication is a big problem in rural areas. This is due to average infrastructure, average
power and other facilities and the affordability which at times restrict the spread of new facilities.
Thus, these facilities can only be promoted once the state of infrastructure, power and other
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facilities as well as the affordability is increased. One good news is that the cost of electronic
products keeps on decreasing unlike the other products. Today, the cost of mobile phones as well
as the tariff rates has progressively decreased. An average smart phone with basic facilities can
be easily affordable as the cost is relatively low. An initiative to bring the new low cost
technology to the rural areas can definitely increase their communication skills.

Conclusion
The main aim of this study was to measure the Impact of new technologies of new century like
the Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) on the Face-to-Face Communication and Relationship
Development of youths in Malaysia who uses Smartphone in their daily activities. It was also
ascertained whether using too much Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM) affect ones Interpersonal
Communication and Relationship Development or not. Attempt was also made to study the level
of Interpersonal or Face-to-Face Communication and Relationship Development of youths
nowadays. From this, it was attempted to establish some relationship between using Mobile
Instant Messaging (MIM) as representative of new technology of new century towards the
development of a persons Face-to-Face Communication and Relationship. It was determined
that the technology in a way does bring us closer together and the research has proven this now
and again. It means that technology usually brings out positive outcomes. Through the findings
and analysis of the research and survey which was conducted by many researchers, mostly the
results leaned towards the positive side. Most of the respondents from their surveys believed that
their Face-to-Face Communication Skills as well as Relationship Development with others have
become better through using Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM). The respondents of the study had
a moderate level for usage of Mobile Instant Messaging (MIM), and this shows that they dont
only use this form of communication, and can use other forms in order to communicate with one
another. It was also shown that if one extends this technology to the rural areas with the low cost
solution, same positive effects can also be brought in those areas.

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iReferences
1. Babbie, E. (2001). The Practice of Social Research (9th ed.). Belmont: Wadsworth.
2. Chen, Yi-Fan and Katz, J. E. (2009). Extending family to school life: college students
use of the mobile phone. Int. J. Human-Computer Studies, 67 :179 -191.
3. Courtney, B. (2014). Are we Socially Awkward Because of Technology? Tenn Ink.
4. CTIA. (2010). Malaysia Wireless Quick Facts.
5. Davie, R., Panting, C. and Charlton, T. (2004). Mobile phone ownership and usage
among preadolescents. Telematics and Informatics, 21: 359: 373.
6. DeVito, Joseph A. (2005). Essentials of Human Communication (5th ed.). Malaysia
7. Digital Media Across Asia. (2010). Malaysia Mobile Penetration.
8. Jensen, K. B. (2002). Media effects: quantitative traditions. In: Jensen, K. B. (ed.), A
Handbook of Media and Communication Research: Qualitative and Quantitative
Methodologies, pp. 138:155.
9. Kopomaa, T. (2000). Speaking mobile: the city in your pocket. In: YTKs electronic
publications.
10. McQuail, D. (2000). McQuails Mass Communication Theory (4th ed.). Sage
Publications.
11. Rosen, C. (2004). Our cell phones, ourselves. A Journal of Technology and Society, 6:
26-45.

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