Final answer:
Informal communication in an organization is directed toward meeting individual needs and can occur at any level, involving employees and top management alike. It includes social interactions and is an essential part of workplace socialization, which is not limited to formal or structured patterns.
Step-by-step explanation:
The aspect of informal communication is one that satisfies the need for personal interactions and fulfills individual needs within an organization. This form of communication is not restricted to accomplishing organizational goals but is essential in meeting people's individual and social needs. It is not typical of informal communication to be used only for lateral communication; it can occur across various levels of an organization. Additionally, all members of an organization, including top management and employees, utilize informal communication to some degree.
Given the choices provided, the statement that is true of informal communication is b. It is directed toward meeting people's individual needs. Informal communication often happens naturally as employees interact throughout the workday, and it plays a crucial role in socialization within the workplace. It is not formal or structured, does not follow a hierarchical pattern, and exists alongside structured business interactions within any given organization.