The fact that our words are a tool for communication is known to all. But what do we know about other ways to interact? Non-verbal communication is the secret of effective communication, through which you can learn more about a person than he wants to say. But first things first.
Types of communications
The word "communication" is translated from English as "common", "shared by all." That is, this mutual understanding found in the process of communication.
The main types of communication, their characteristics
- Depending on the means used in the data transfer:
- interpersonal - direct conversation between participants;
- technical - the use of information technology, applications or programs (social networks, Viber, Telegram).
- Depending on the form:
- verbal - verbal communication;
- nonverbal - body language.
- Depending on the channels:
- formal - an orderly flow of information in charts, announcements, official regulations, other documents;
- informal - disseminating information through rumors.
- Direction: (professional sphere, management):
- descending - information sent from management to subordinates;
- ascending - the opposite.
- By performance:
- effective - productive conversation;
- ineffective - ineffective communication.
What is verbal communication?
Verbal communication is a verbal form of communication, a method of transmitting information using language.
It performs the following functions:
- Communicative - directly dialogue, the exchange of thoughts;
- Appeal - influence on a person through words;
- Expressive - the transfer of emotions through language, the expression of feelings;
- Faticheskaya - the establishment of social ties within the established norms. This etiquette, which includes the words of politeness and other forms of manifestation of culture;
- Accumulative - the accumulation, preservation, transmission of information;
- Aesthetic - the ability to express thoughts in different styles, unique forms, taking into account the author's individuality.
Features and forms of verbal communication
If we talk about the forms of human speech from a psychological point of view, then there are two of them - internal and external. The first is an endless mental process that occurs within us. Inner speech is like a conversation with yourself, an uncontrollable monologue of our subconscious.
The appearance of speech is what we say or record. There are two forms of speech: oral (dialogue, monologue) and written. Each of them has its own psychological characteristics.
The peculiarity of verbal speech is that it is peculiar only to people, which cannot be said about animals that communicate with the help of body movements and signs. To implement it you need to master the language. Words - the main component of the conversation. With their help, we transmit our thoughts, voice any message with a nonverbal sign system. For example, the meaning of the green color of a traffic light can be expressed by the phrase “travel is allowed”.
Verbal communications have a complex multi-dimensional structure and manifest themselves in different styles:
- Literary - artistic works;
- Spoken - communication in everyday life;
- Publicistic - media materials;
- Scientific - text of the textbook materials;
- Official business - the language of documents, business communication;
- Epistolary (practically not used) - the style of writing letters;
- Confessional - religious sermon.
What is non-verbal communication?
Non-verbal communication is the transfer of information without the use of language means. This method is called body language, as it is a tool for sending messages.
There are several types of non-verbal communication, each of which studies a certain scientific branch:
- Kinesika - postures, gestures, facial expressions. Our physiological movements can say more than words and express what cannot be done with speech.
- Tactile behavior - touching the interlocutor during a conversation. Some people have a habit of touching others during a dialogue, while others hate it when someone does this. Tactile behavior can be professional, friendly, ceremonial or amorous. Each culture has its own tactile traditions or habits.
- Sensory - the perception of smells, taste, sounds and colors, as well as the feeling of "heat" or "cold" coming from the communicator. With the help of these factors, an opinion about the interlocutor, his holistic image is formed.
- Proxemics - spatial relations, that is, the dependence of relations on the location and distance.
Chronemics - human response to time processes (time evaluation, definition of the framework). - Paraverbal spectrum - rhythm, tempo, intonation, timbre of voice, individual peculiarities of speech.
These non-verbal communications promote self-expression, motivate one to know oneself, one’s character, and other people's characteristics.
The role of nonverbal communication
Research has shown that a person speaks about 30,000 words per day. But more than 60% of the information about the interlocutor we learn not through them, but through non-verbal methods of interaction that accompany or supplement linguistic speech.
Non-verbal communication tools perform a complex of roles:
- drawing up a psychological portrait;
- creation of a certain image or image;
- statement of views, beliefs;
- the formation of the child's personality in the early period of development;
- definition of a person's state at the moment of conversation.
We refer to body language regardless of the situation. Without it, we can not create a full-fledged multi-dimensional message.
In general, the role of non-verbal signals is to organize communication between people in different situations (daily conversations, business meetings, neutral conversation). If you learn to recognize the signals coming from the interlocutor, you can prevent conflict, develop social ties, achieve personal growth.
Verbal and non-verbal communication are the two wings of effective communication. What does "effective" mean, read on.
What is effective communication?
Effective communication is a communication model built on the ability to hear the interlocutor. Feeling the psychological state of a person, we understand his inner state. This model requires our tolerance, sensitivity to the interlocutor, empathy, the use of methods of verbal and non-verbal influence.
If the interlocutors say to each other: "Yes, this is exactly what I wanted to say, you understood me perfectly," which means that there was an effective exchange of information.
7 rules for effective communication
- Trust the interlocutor, create a relaxing atmosphere.
- Do not avoid those of a personal nature. They make the relationship more trusting, sincere.
- Be specific. It is difficult to understand the addressee when his thought is unclear or what is said is no specifics. It is advisable to learn to speak straight, avoid double-valuedness.
- Take into account the interests of others. The interlocutor must understand that this conversation is also necessary for him, because everyone pursues his own goals.
- To be open. Criticism is a great phenomenon when it is contained. We must not be afraid to defend our position, but at the same time, respect the opinions of others, accept their right to think differently, having different views.
- Listen. To make dialogue truly effective, you need to learn not only to listen, but also to listen to the addressee.
- Show care, interest in others, taking into account their problems.
Basics of Effective Communication
There are three main skills that are the basis of effective interaction:
Attention. This skill helps to anticipate the danger, to capture the important moments in the conversation. If a person is attentive, focused, it means that he is armed. Each involuntarily included attention, which actively reads not only the audible text, but also the movements of the interlocutor's body.
Observation. This quality became the basis of the deduction method of the legendary Sherlock Holmes, the detective created by Arthur Conan Doyle. Brilliantly developed observation helps to recognize differences, notice details, make quick decisions, and find a way out. By observing the gestures or behavior of the interlocutor, you can recognize dishonest people.
Flexibility of behavior. This is the ability to move on to other patterns of behavior, giving up their habits or principles. For example, an intelligent teacher who has been teaching literature for 50 years needs to be explained to builders that they are doing their job in bad faith, making it clear that she is aware of this. In her situation, you should show flexibility of behavior - go to their style of conversation.
The goal of all three skills is to get feedback.
We learned about the main forms of information interaction with others. Verbal and non-verbal communication - the main ways of communication that can not exist without each other. Each of us, having worked hard, will be able to master them masterfully.
