Here's a breakdown:
Communication:
* Broad definition: The act of conveying information between two or more entities.
* Focus: The transfer of information, regardless of the method or whether there's a conscious effort involved.
* Examples: A bee's dance to signal the location of nectar, a traffic light changing color, a computer sending data over a network.
Human Communication:
* Definition: The process of conveying information, ideas, feelings, or messages between two or more people through the use of verbal and nonverbal symbols.
* Focus: Intentional, symbolic interaction between humans, with a focus on meaning-making and understanding.
* Examples: A conversation, a written letter, a painting, a gesture.
Key Differences:
* Intention: Human communication usually involves conscious intent to convey a message, while communication in general can be unintentional or instinctive.
* Symbolism: Human communication relies heavily on the use of symbols (words, gestures, etc.) which have shared meaning within a culture. Other forms of communication may use signals or cues that are not symbolic in the same way.
* Complexity: Human communication is far more complex than other forms of communication, involving factors like cultural context, emotions, and individual interpretations.
In short:
* Communication is a general term encompassing any transfer of information, while human communication is a specific type of communication characterized by its symbolic nature, intentionality, and complexity.