Macro, Micro Communication

Generally, when we hear the words "macro" and "micro," many of us associate them with the field of economics. Macro-economics, for instance, speaks to a general, large-scale overview of economic factors.  On the other hand, micro-economics refers more to an examination of single factors that pertain to economic matters. I believe those same terms can be applied to the field of communication. Nearly every day we all assess our own specific communication strategies through macro and micro lenses. The difference is the two terms are not used by communication scholars and professional practitioners all that often - if at all.

So, because or perhaps despite that, I would like take a few moments to apply each to how the practice and subject of communication is addressed. Macro-communication refers to looking at the act of interaction from a broad perspective. One entity communicates with another. Perhaps it does so in a way that is not smooth or even off-putting. Nevertheless, their message is understandable and received correctly. With that, scholars and practitioners examine the mechanics of the communication effort and assess how it may have been done more effectively or, at the least, differently. Such a step moves one into micro-communication.

Specifically, this involves the matter of individuals within an entity go about communicating with others within the same entity as well as outside. First, there is the obvious question of whether the communicating was effective or successful. Beyond that, the matter of specific strategies used becomes an important point of focus. Such a step is not unlike what economists do when they examine single policies put forth by individual bodies. This, then, is broadened into studying the efforts or actions of multiple entities. An initial conclusion here is that macro and micro communication scholars are not all that different from their peers in the field of economics.