Downward communication is a term used in industrial and organizational psychology that refers to a communication within an organization in which the direction of communication is from management to employees.

In psychology, downward communication refers to the flow of information and messages from higher levels of an organization or group to lower levels. This type of communication is typically used to provide direction, instruction, and information to employees or subordinates.

Examples of downward communication might include a manager providing instructions to a team of employees, a teacher providing information to students, or a leader of a group providing guidance to members of the group.

Downward communication is an important aspect of organizational communication and can be used to help ensure that employees and subordinates have the information and direction they need to complete their work effectively. However, it can also be a source of frustration for employees if it is not done in an open, transparent, and respectful manner.