“Communication” is one of the central categories in modern psychology and is on a par with such concepts as “personality”, “behavior” and “thinking”. Interpersonal communication is expressed in attempts to establish and further develop relationships between two or more persons. It involves the implementation of mutual influence on a certain regulation of the actions of all participants in the process, as well as on their individual behavior, intentions and views.
Communication as interpersonal interaction
The basis of interpersonal interaction is the contact of individuals (two or more), implying a set of consistent and logically based reactions to each other’s actions.
Interpersonal interaction can take various forms , but it always leads to changes in behavior, the nature of relationships, the emotional state of opponents, etc.
Interpersonal communication is the communication of people, each of whom has their own unique specific qualities, which are revealed during communication.
Types of Interpersonal Communication
Interpersonal communication is divided into the following types:
- Formal (contact masks). People resort to artificially transmitted rigor, politeness, courtesy, interest, and indifference in order to hide their true emotions and attitude towards their interaction partner.
An opponent who resorts to a formal type of communication does not seek to analyze and take into account the characteristics of the interlocutor.In conditions of socially oriented professions and the presence of an extensive list of active contacts, it is the formal type of communication that provides “emotional stability,” preventing overload and burnout.
- Primitive . Evaluative perception of an interlocutor using labels. Potential communication partners are divided into “useful” and “useless”. People who build interaction within the framework of primitive communication are focused on “useful” opponents, thanks to whom they can achieve their goals. People from the second group are ignored or rudely denied communication. After the goal is achieved, “useful” opponents move into the “useless” category.
- Functional-role . Communication within social roles (seller - buyer, customer - performer, etc.). Interaction takes place taking into account regulated norms and means of communication. The personality of the interlocutor comes second after social interaction. roles.
- Business.
Interaction is focused on achieving a goal in the form of a fixed agreement. In this case, both business interest (to a greater extent) and the characteristics of the communication partner, his character and emotional background (to a lesser extent) are taken into account. - Spiritual . Communication for the sake of communication itself. Most often, such interaction occurs between close people (relatives, friends, lovers). Spiritual communication implies a high level of mutual understanding and the presence of formed ideas about the interlocutor (personal portrait).
- Secular . Interaction within the framework of the “code”, strict compliance with the norms of politeness and discussion only of those topics that have received approval in secular society. This type of communication is characterized by closedness and refusal to broadcast alternative positions.
- Manipulative . Interaction aimed at obtaining benefits from an opponent. A person who adheres to a manipulative interaction strategy uses certain means (flattery, demonstration of favor, blackmail, deception, etc.).
What determines the choice of communication style?
The choice of form of address to the interlocutor is usually determined by his social status, personal characteristics, purpose and situation of the communication process. Psychiatrist A. Dobrovich, when conflicts arise, recommends moving to a higher level of communication than that of the interlocutor. This technique disarms the opponent and allows you to enter into a normal dialogue with him.
Stress resistance - what is it?
The scientist identifies seven levels or types of interpersonal communication in accordance with the criterion of “ethical impeccability.” The lowest and most undesirable in this typology is primitive interaction, the most effective is spiritual communication.
Important! A person may not be fully aware, but he always feels, at least at the subconscious level, whether he, his fate and interests are valuable to the interlocutor, and reacts accordingly: he behaves more aggressively, manipulatively, or drops his masks and begins to cooperate.
Manipulative level of communication
Types of their characteristics and examples
In social psychology, it is customary to distinguish three styles of interpersonal communication:
Imperative
What is it and where is it unacceptable?
This communication is aimed at subordinating the interaction partner. With the help of imperative communication, you can control and force someone to take any action.
At the same time, the participants in the interaction are aware that the ultimate goal of communication is coercion . The individual exerting influence does not try to disguise the true meaning of communication.
To achieve a goal, orders, requirements, instructions or instructions can be used.
Most often, the imperative type of communication is used within the framework of the “superior-subordinate” .
This approach is inappropriate in intimate and personal communications.
Also, imperative communication is effective and relevant in emergencies and emergencies , when it is necessary to quickly organize group activities and distribute responsibilities, bypassing the situational unstable state of mind of interaction partners.
Manipulative
Like the previous type of communication, manipulation involves influencing an opponent in order to achieve specific goals/benefits.
But in this case, the partner exerting influence hides his intentions or presents the situation in such a light that true intentions are replaced in the eyes of the opponent by others, more noble or appropriate.
Dialogical
A type of communication focused on the interaction partner . During the dialogue, the participants in the interaction take into account both their psychological mood and the psychological mood of the interlocutor.
In this case, the perception of the partner occurs in its pure form, without evaluation.
In a dialogue, a person considers the interlocutor as an equal , recognizing his right to his own point of view and decisions.
Dialogical communication does not imply references to authoritative sources (opinions, point of view of other people, etc.).
Imperative communication and manipulation can be regarded as monologue-oriented communication because in the process of interaction, the influencing opponent is focused only on himself ; he views the interlocutor only as a means to achieve a goal, without being interested in the position of the interaction partner.
Psychological structure of communication
Working memory - what is it in human psychology, its differences from other types
Communication structure
When characterizing the structure of communication, three sides are usually distinguished:
- Perceptual, when the individual perceives and evaluates social objects (partner, communities of people). The success of organizing coordinated actions with him depends on the degree of understanding of the interlocutor’s behavior.
- Communicative, when a person’s actions are consciously oriented towards their semantic perception by other people. Communicative influence is possible only when people communicate using a single system of meaning.
- Interactive – building a general interaction strategy. This is no longer just communication, but joint activity, mutual influence of contacting individuals on each other.
All aspects of communication are interconnected and interdependent.
Culture
The culture of interpersonal communication is based on a system of knowledge, norms, values and patterns of behavior established in society . The individual assimilates all these elements in the process of socialization, and then uses them in business and emotional communications.
The culture of interpersonal communication implies the ability to correctly perceive an opponent, the ability to interpret his words and behavior, and build a behavioral strategy based on the characteristics of the interlocutor.
An important concept in the issue of communicative culture is the “appropriateness” of the means and behavioral patterns used . For example, if you can make demands with subordinates and use an imperative tone, then when communicating with friends it is appropriate to use formalities and instructions.
Communication as a form of interpersonal interactions comes to the fore in conditions of dependence on social contacts (working with people, direct dependence on stronger, more influential or resourceful members of society).
In such situations, communication culture affects well-being, financial and professional prospects .
Depending on the funds
There are several types of communication, depending on the means used by a person.
- Direct – carried out with the help of organs and parts of the body given to man by nature. For example, arms, legs, eyes or vocal cords. In this case, improvised means are not used.
- Indirect – implies communication using improvised means. For example, throw a stone, leave a mark on the ground, or pick up a stick. Also includes communication by cell phone, email, or other means of communication.
- Direct – involves personal communication between two or more people. This can include both casual conversations and physical contact.
- Indirect – represents communication through third parties. Involves negotiations, spreading rumors or transmitting some information.
Techniques for self-regulation of behavior
Self-regulation is the control of one’s own psycho-emotional state using certain thinking, images, body and breathing control.
Natural techniques are the simplest group of techniques that do not require additional effort or concentration. This may include:
- humor, laughter;
- positive perception (reproduction of pleasant images, events, scenarios, etc. in the head);
- relaxing movements (stretching, ongoing control of muscle tone, etc.);
- contemplation (observation of paintings, nature, interior elements, etc.);
- compliments to the interlocutor.
Self-regulation through breathing control is the use of special breathing techniques .
Such techniques affect the muscles, nerve center, blood circulation, etc.
For example, taking slow breaths, holding your breath, or yogic breathing allows you to quickly calm down and relax.
Methods associated with controlling muscle tone are based on the principle of conscious concentration . A person identifies clamps and blocks, after which, with a strong-willed effort, he eliminates overvoltage.
Self-regulation with the help of words is based on a person’s ability to formulate thoughts in language. The two most popular methods in this category are self-orders and self-programming.
An individual formulates certain attitudes and then mentally reproduces them in order to tune in to a certain state or result.
There are other effective techniques, such as art therapy, exercise sets, the use of associations, etc.
Difficulties and defects
Difficulties in communication lead to ineffective interactions. There are two groups of difficulties:
- objective (obvious to interlocutors and manifest themselves directly during communication and bring a feeling of dissatisfaction tied to the process and results of contact);
- subjective (not obvious to the participants in the interaction and can manifest itself in the form of a lack of initiative, uncertainty and shyness of the individual).
Difficulties are also divided into primary and secondary.
The first category includes communication problems that arise due to a person’s character.
The second category includes difficulties associated with negative social experiences.
Communication defects are personality traits that interfere with the creation and strengthening of social connections. These include flaws in upbringing, selfishness, tactlessness, rudeness, excessive curiosity, arrogance, the habit of being biased towards opponents, etc.
