Mass communication and interpersonal communication both involve a sender, receiver, and medium. However, mass communication involves unknown receivers while interpersonal communication involves known parties. Additionally, mass communication can continue even if some receivers do not understand the message, whereas a failure for either party to understand in interpersonal communication means the communication fails. Finally, mass communication requires larger media like print, electronic, or web platforms, whereas interpersonal communication usually does not require such extensive media.

1. Mr. Arjay B. Cristobal
AMA Computer Learning Center – Antipolo
Manila, Philippines
Communication
Vis-A-Vis
Communication
(Media & Info. Lit.)

2. Time to Think!
What are the similarities
and differences between
mass communication and
interpersonal
communication?
Mr. Arjay B. Cristobal
AMA Computer Learning Center – Antipolo
Manila, Philippines

3. The Meaning
Similarities:
• Both the forms of communication comprises of a
sender, receiver and the medium.
• There is a chance for feedback in both the cases.
• Absence of feedback implies failure of the
communication process.
Mr. Arjay B. Cristobal
AMA Computer Learning Center – Antipolo
Manila, Philippines

4. The Meaning
Differences
• In Mass Communication the receivers are unknown to each other.
But, when the communication is interpersonal the sender and the
receiver know each other.
• Even if any one or two among the large audience fail to
understand or cope up with the message, the communication
stays uninterrupted during mass communication. But in case of
interpersonal communication, if either of the sender and receiver
fails to understand the message, it leads to failure of
communication.
• Mass communication requires larger medium (print, electronic or
web) while interpersonal communication hardly requires such
media.
Mr. Arjay B. Cristobal
AMA Computer Learning Center – Antipolo
Manila, Philippines
https://www.quora.com/What-are-the-similarities-and-differences-between-mass-communication-and-interpersonal-communication