The concept of communication: forms, types, functions

Man is a social creature and constantly interacts with other people throughout his life. Without communication, life and activities of any society together are impossible. The concept of communication means the establishment and development of relationships between people and groups, the creation of interpersonal contacts in the process of joint life activities. Scientists have established what functions communication performs.

Business conversation

Components of communication and its varieties

Components of communication are those components that are not included in the structure of communication.

These include:

Rhetoric

Successful interaction with society depends on the development of communication skills and experience. A high position in society requires a person to be able to express his thoughts beautifully. Many politicians, public figures, and business leaders were able to achieve heights of success thanks to their eloquence and fruitful communication with people. It is difficult to imagine a general, diplomat, or president who cannot speak competently.

Rhetoric is a science that teaches the art of beautiful and correct speech. It originated in the period of Antiquity and was very popular among the ancient Greeks and Romans. All male representatives of noble origin were taught the art of oratory so that in the future they could become successful politicians, orators, and military leaders.

Today, the ability to persuade, prove one’s point of view, and speak in front of large audiences is necessary for representatives of any public professions: journalists, teachers, TV presenters. Even without a natural talent for eloquence, you can learn this thanks to the methods of the science of rhetoric.

By means of communication can be:

3.1 Direct (Carried out with the help of natural organs given to a living being - arms, head, torso, vocal cords, etc.)

3.2 Indirect (related to the use of special means and tools)

3.3 Direct (involves personal contacts and direct perception of communicating people by each other in the very act of communication)

3.4 Indirect (carried out through intermediaries, who may be other people).

Levels of communication:

Communication as interaction presupposes that people establish contact with each other, exchange certain information in order to build joint activities and cooperation. For communication as interaction to occur smoothly, it must consist of the following stages:

1. Establishing contact (acquaintance). Involves understanding another person, introducing oneself to another person.

2. Orientation in a communication situation, understanding what is happening, pausing.

3. Discussion of the problem of interest.

4. Solving the problem.

5. Ending the contact (exiting it).

Communication functions:

1) instrumental function

characterizes communication as a social mechanism for managing and transmitting information necessary to perform an action;

2) integrative function

reveals communication as a means of uniting people;

3) self-expression - the function defines communication as a form of mutual understanding of the psychological context;

4) translation function

acts as a function of transferring specific methods of activity, assessments, etc.

Communication means

- methods of transmitting information that is transmitted in the process of communication from one being to another.

verbal

(communication is carried out through speech)
non-verbal
(gestures, facial expressions, postures, eye contact, timbre of voice, tone, touching, hugs, kisses, etc.)

How to develop eloquence

Anyone, if desired, can learn to express their thoughts competently and beautifully, present information in an engaging manner, and speak in front of a large audience without fear. In order to develop eloquence, you need to use the methods of rhetoric:

A speech in front of a large audience is thought out in advance. You need to make a short outline of the story, practice several times in front of the mirror;
Any opinion put forward by the speaker (storyteller) must be confirmed with the help of logical arguments (they also need to be thought out in advance) or examples from life;
You need to present your thoughts sequentially, leaving listeners a little time to think about the content of what was said;
To attract the attention of the audience, you need to use different intonations, highlight important thoughts in a special voice;
A voice that is too loud quickly tires and distracts attention, while a quiet voice does not allow listeners to concentrate;
It is better to avoid monotonous speech and too abstruse, long phrases; they “lull” the audience’s attention.

Question 3. Communicative information side of communication. Communication process model

The information side of communication, i.e.

law enforcement officers attach particular importance to the transmission and receipt of information, as evidenced by the fact that 2/3 of the surveyed practical workers, as well as cadets and students of the Moscow University of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia, when asked what they understand by communication, noted the importance of information exchange . The importance of operational information cannot be overestimated. Information exchange is relevant for the investigator, and for the detective, and for an employee of any police unit who, in the course of their official activities, establish the causes and circumstances of offenses, the motives for criminal activity, solve practical, educational problems and many others.

In the process of activity, people exchange various perceptions, interests, ideas, emotions, etc. Moreover, everyone strives to be correctly understood, wanting to receive from a partner a certain confirmation, a response to the information transmitted to him. The process of transferring information from one partner to another (or others) is not one-sided; it is always a relationship between people communicating, where the element of “feedback” plays a very important role.

In the “Who” scheme - the communicator, i.e. the person sending information; “What” is the content, the information itself; “To” - communication partner who receives information; “Effect” shows the effectiveness of communication, as understood by the communicator, and signals him about feedback. However, in order for this scheme to “work”, it is necessary for partners to use common communication tools: a system of signs, understanding situations, etc.

In essence, Code + Contact are tools of communication, means of transmitting information. The code consists of signs (symbols) and languages. There are different signs - genetic, chemical, thermal, road, etc. Human signs are of an extremely abstract nature and are conventional in nature. The system of signs is organized into languages: verbal language (sound, verbal), facial language, intonation, topomimic (gestures), written, etc. For effective communication, several sign systems are often used in parallel; in this way, reliable information transmission is achieved. Unconvincing acting on stage indicates improper use, for example, of verbal and facial language.

Learning signs (and languages) occurs in the first years of human life. There are phenomenal cases of proficiency in 12 languages. The wider a person's vocabulary, the greater his thinking and conceptual abilities. Context is the meaning field of a word. In different texts (and in different intonations), the same word can change its meaning. Depending on the social sphere and psychological characteristics of a person, differences are noted in the level and forms of his communication, the completeness and depth of mutual understanding with other people. In any given communication situation, we always learn something from our partner and communicate something to him. The content of a specific communication can be very different: an order from a boss, a call to wash your hands before eating, an interrogation of the accused, a conversation with witnesses, victims, etc. Whatever it is, it is always communication, and it is impossible to imagine communication without it.

Description of communication models

The structure of communication determines the patterns of communication. Some people are more sociable, love to be in company and can talk for hours about nothing, while others are closed, prefer internal dialogues to external ones, talk little and only about business.

Sociability as a character trait develops, you can improve communication skills, the ability to objectively perceive people and interact effectively with them.

Communication patterns, as a rule, are formed in childhood or adopted from parents. Also, communication patterns can be determined by the specifics of the position held and even be a sign of professional deformation of the individual (for example, a teacher communicates with relatives, as well as with students).

COMMUNICATION MODELS:

"Mont Blanc". Aloof, cold interlocutor

He focuses on the communicative side of interaction; he is not interested in interactions. "Chinese Wall". A person who considers himself higher and more significant than others

Perceives others as less successful/beautiful/smart people, which makes it difficult to interact with him. "Locator". A person who chooses a narrow circle of friends. Often one loved one or close friend is enough for him. "Grouse". A very uncommunicative person who creates only the appearance of communication and interaction. At the same time, the structure of Teterev’s internal communication with himself is preserved and oversaturated with dialogues and introspection. "Hamlet". Social perception is extremely important for this type of communication model. He tries to make the best impression, which is why he often plays to the audience. "Robot". This person talks and acts “dryly”, unemotionally, always knows what, when and why to do or not to do. "Egoist". A person speaks only about himself, all his actions are aimed at obtaining personal gain. "Ally". The best form and type of communication, as it is two-way. The interlocutors are interested in productive interaction, take into account personality, strive to understand each other and come to an agreement.

The importance of communication in ontogenesis

In ontogenesis (individual human development), the role and characteristics of communication are no less important than in phylogenesis. The development of an individual is impossible without interaction with other people.

Newborn babies, not knowing how to speak, already react to the voice and affection of an adult, and later begin to smile back at him. Later, the so-called revitalization complex appears - the first form of interaction of a new person with his own kind.

Forms of communication that arise in the process of ontogenesis:

Directly emotional

When a baby develops a revival complex, he does not yet interact with his parents as an equal partner, but expresses his attitude through facial expressions and gestures: he cries and laughs, is surprised and frightened, and so on. Such forms of communication are characteristic of infants up to the first year of life.

Subject-effective

The child interacts with people by manipulating objects and playing. The baby extends his hand when he wants to take or give something, and understands that in order to establish contact he needs to get closer to the person. This form of interaction undergoes significant changes, but is generally maintained during the first six years of life.

Extra-situational intimate-personal

It appears by the end of preschool age, but the main forms of this communication develop already in the puberty period (puberty).

Forms of communication undergo changes as an individual grows and matures; they are combined and complemented differently in different individuals.

Without a child’s contact with adults, he will not be able to develop as a person.

The importance and necessity of communication between a child and his parents cannot be overestimated. Relationships with parents are the foundation, guideline and measure by which all subsequent connections of a person with people, society, and himself will be measured.

Types and forms of communication are formed especially intensively in adolescence. This is the age of active interaction with peers, the time of first love and the formation of the self-concept.

The teenager’s activities become multifaceted, the content of communications and actions is enriched. A qualitatively new level of forms and types of interaction between young people contributes to the development of awareness, responsibility, independence and personality as a whole.

The structure of communication affects the structure of personality. Violation or lack of interaction with people invariably leads to a transformation of the individual’s “I”. Personality changes that are not for the better (including pathological ones) cannot but affect the ability to interact and understand other people and oneself.

Communication from the perspective of psychology

The term “communication” refers to different forms of interaction between people, which are carried out using various sign means, such as:

facial expressions;
symbols;
images.

The desire to contact another person arises from the need to act together.

Significance in psychology

To clearly understand what communication is, it is necessary to consider the various definitions of the term. They will help to form a multifaceted understanding of this method of communication:

Human communication is considered in psychology to be a complex and multifaceted process that is aimed at establishing and developing contacts between a group of people.
According to the literature on the culture of communications, communication is a unique process of exchanging the results of spiritual and mental activity between people. This may include assessments, thoughts, feelings, judgments, attitudes.
Communication is also a basic psychological need of a person, which contributes to the formation of personality. In the process of interpersonal contacts, the subjective world of one individual opens up to another. This allows a person to self-determinate and self-present himself in society.

Topic 1.4. Types and levels of communication

Plan:

Types, levels and functions of communication
Sides of communication
Ways one person influences another

Concepts:

communication;
communicative, interactive ,
perceptual aspects of communication; kinesics, proxemics, prosody, paralinguistics, extralinguistics; gestures and postures, eye contact; non-verbal communication; identification, empathy and reflection; persuasion, infection, coercion, imitation.

Questions for discussion

Communication strategies: open - closed, personal - role-playing, monologue - dialogical.
Types of communication and their characteristics: “mask contact”, primitive, formal-role, business, spiritual or interpersonal, manipulative, secular communication.

Features of communication

Functions of communication in psychology and their brief description

After the term “communication” has become clear, what it is and what it is needed for, it’s time to study its features. They will help you build proper communication:

For quality communication, the presence of two active individuals is necessary.
During a conversation, it is necessary to have mutual influence on each other, both emotional and physiological.
Partners must have a single or similar information exchange system.
When communicating, there must be room for communication barriers to arise.

Basic Rules

In addition to these norms, there are social rules that can improve communication between people.

Three sides of communication

The structure of communication conditionally divides it into three processes that are interconnected and interdependent:

Social perception - the perception of an interaction partner

People perceive each other through their senses, evaluate their appearance, speech, behavior and draw conclusions about the possibility of continuing social contact

The first impression is especially important. How another person is perceived for the first time, when meeting for the first time, influences the willingness to exchange information and interact with him.

Communication – exchange of information

Contacts are meaningless if people do not know how to convey the necessary information, knowledge and experience to each other verbally and non-verbally.

Interaction – exchange of actions

A conversation without the ability to perform actions that affect the interlocutor and exchange actions with him would be ineffective and ineffective.

Description of types of communication

The concept of “type of communication” is close to the concept of the model. Types of communication, as well as models, are used to indicate the characteristics of communication.

Types of communication:

Mentorsky. With this type of communication, a person constantly teaches, instructs, and subjugates his interlocutor.
Informative. A type of communication that is simply a relay of information, without the ability or desire to receive feedback.
Inspiring. The individual participates in the fate of the interlocutor, supporting him, guiding him, helping him, advising him. With this type of communication, there is a productive dialogue, cooperation, and mutual assistance between the subjects of the relationship.
Confrontational. Unlike other forms of communication, it involves discussion, dialogue with an opponent, constructive criticism with the goal of finding the truth through confrontation between personal subjective and objective views, reality.

Types of communication are needed in order to be able to select the most appropriate methods of communication in different situations: persuasion, suggestion, infection, request, coercion, ignoring and even manipulation.

The concept of communication and its role in the development of humanity

There are many theories and points of view on communication problems. Soviet scientists made a significant contribution to the study of this phenomenon, as well as to social psychology in general. Their experiments and experiences, carried out in the middle and second half of the last century, became classic examples of the peculiarities of communication and people’s perception of each other, as well as the scientific basis for subsequent scientific research.

Interpersonal and intergroup interaction is the area of human activity in which psychological difficulties most often arise.

It is extremely important for every person to be able to interact competently and effectively with other people.

In addition, it can act as a separate, relatively independent occupation. After all, people do not always talk to each other with the goal of inventing, controlling, and carrying out a joint action.

The transmitted verbal or nonverbal signal can be both informational and affective-evaluative in nature. It is believed that it was the need of our distant ancestors to transfer knowledge to each other, not only through signs and shouts, that served as the main reason for the development of human speech. Animals interact with each other, but speech is unique to humans.

The characteristics of communication between different people and groups depend on the extent to which the subjects of interaction have a pressing need for social contacts. The need to be involved, to belong and to interact developed in the process of phylogenesis, the socio-historical development of humanity.

Interestingly, satisfying the need for social contact supposedly led to the birth of such a wonderful feeling as joy. Joy is still the leading motive that motivates people to interact with each other.

Features of communication that can bring pleasure and joy are its humanity and democracy. Rude, disrespectful interaction, ignoring and manipulation are immoral and do not fit into the principles of communication that usually guide a cultured person.

PRINCIPLES OF COMMUNICATION:

self-esteem;
respect for the interlocutor, recognition of his rights and interests;
tolerance, tolerance;
justice, honesty;
unbiased attitude towards people.

How to communicate with impossible people

Difficult people require a special approach during conversation. If you need to contact an unpleasant person, you can minimize the receipt of negative emotions using 5 basic rules:

You should not take your opponent’s criticism or advice that you haven’t asked for personally.
If your interlocutor likes to interrupt, you should not allow him to do so. This requires politely explaining to the person that his arguments will not be heard until the speech is finished.
If the interlocutor does not want to talk, but you need to get an answer from him, in this case the best communication is to briefly state the essence of the question.
We should not forget about the ability to listen to your opponent. Thanks to an attentive attitude towards the interlocutor, respect for his words and thoughts will be visible.
There is no need to teach a person to communicate if he does it somehow wrong. Each individual has his own way of speaking. Therefore, an evaluative conversation will only irritate.

Communication is the key to the whole world. Careful study of the operating instructions and proper use will make it easier to achieve your goals.

Persuasive communication model.

This model allows you to make communication participants like-minded people and get out of a particular situation with the greatest productivity. However, the conviction

is a complex communication process, and not everyone is able to use this communication model with maximum effectiveness.

It is known that persuasion was formalized as a specific concept more than two thousand years ago by the Greeks, who made rhetoric

(from the gr. rhetorikos - beautiful, pompous, but little content speech) - the art of using speech effectively and convincingly - part of your educational system. Aristotle was the first to introduce the concepts of ethos, logos, and pathos, which roughly translate to "reliability of sources," "logical argument," and "emotional appeal." All of these are necessary components of a persuasive communication model.

Belief

is a communicative process in which a communicator attempts to bring about a change in the beliefs, attitudes or behavior of another individual or group of individuals through the transmission of a message in a context where the person being persuaded has some degree of freedom of choice. The literature describes the basic principles that influence persuasion. Among them, oral, positive messages, restrained emotional appeals, logical conclusions based on facts and compelling arguments, satisfaction of altruistic human needs, oratory skills are preferred.

The most difficult task of persuasion is to turn opposing opinions about certain actions or decisions into coinciding ones. People make generalizations based on personal experience and what members of their group tell them. Persuasion occurs much easier if the message is compatible with the general position in relation to a particular subject, situation, or problem. The easiest form of persuasion is communication that reinforces favorable opinions and positions. Each participant in communication needs to make continuous efforts to maintain a reserve of goodwill and thus proactively create conditions for effective joint activities.

Belief

- This is also a method of influencing the consciousness of an individual through appealing to his own critical judgment. In order to convince professional partners and colleagues, whose intelligence is usually highly developed, of something, participants in communication need to use special communication techniques. The result of persuasion is considered successful when the interlocutor is able to independently justify his decision or opinion, evaluate its positive and negative aspects, as well as the possibilities and consequences of other options and decisions.

In the process of communication, it should be remembered that persuasion as a communication technique is more convincing and effective in the following situations: - within the framework of one need; - with low intensity of emotions; - with an intellectually developed partner.

What other functions of communication are there?

We have identified three basic functions, but many experts note that this is a somewhat simplified version and in fact there are many more functions, and their characteristics are more detailed:

Contact
. Establishing how ready people are to transmit and perceive information.
Incentive
. Encouraging the interlocutor to communicate.
Coordination
. Comes into force if it is necessary to agree on certain actions.
Emotive
. Intentionally arousing certain emotions in a partner.
Impacting
. Changes under the influence of the interlocutor’s personal attitudes and opinions.

Classification

Classification of communication depending on the goals of interaction and its level:

Primitive. The interlocutor is considered as a means to achieve a goal and is assessed on a “needed – not needed” scale. This direct and simple attitude is not hidden.
Manipulative – interaction for the purpose of obtaining one’s own benefit. Unlike primitive contact, manipulation is a subtle game, using many techniques and techniques (lies, flattery, and so on).
Formal-role – completely regulated interaction. People interact with each other from the perspective of social roles. For example, boss and subordinate, teacher and student, doctor and patient, and so on.
“Mask contact” is a dry, formal interaction in which standard, memorized phrases and gestures are used. It is designed to hide any emotions and true thoughts behind a mask of polite courtesy or indifferent calm. Also, some people use modesty, ostentatious caring and other techniques as a social mask. The participants in the interaction do not strive to understand each other.
Business. The purpose of such social contact is to find a common solution on an issue of interest. The personality of the interlocutor is certainly taken into account, despite the fact that there are special rules and principles of business communication.
Secular. Subjects do not express their thoughts, but say what should and is accepted in a particular situation. Small talk is, as a rule, “talk about nothing”, empty and aimless gossip.
Spiritual. Such interaction is possible in close, trusting relationships. The interlocutors know each other well, respect beliefs, interests and views, are able to predict each other’s reactions, and communicate at the “Personality – Personality” level.

In addition, when determining the level of human interaction, they use a three-stage structure:

The micro level is a single act of verbal or nonverbal contact that carries information and meaning. For example, nodding your head as a sign of agreement, shaking your hand as a sign of greeting, and the like.
Mesa level - conversation and actions within the same topic, occurring once or repeated.
The macro level is the established preferential strategy of interaction, chosen and developed by a person in the process of life, corresponding to the requirements of society, traditions and customs.

The following types of communication are also known:

Direct. It is carried out using the vocal cords, eyes, ears, hands and other organs of the human body.
Indirect. Interaction using specially manufactured devices and means of information exchange (by correspondence, by telephone, through Internet resources, and so on).
Direct. Personal contact and direct perception of the interlocutor.
Indirect. Interaction through intermediaries or representatives who transmit and reproduce the necessary information.
Verbal – interaction through oral speech.
Nonverbal - interaction without words, but with the help of facial expressions, gestures, postures, touches, and so on. Nonverbal body signals influence the perception of words and are processed unconsciously, while speech is conscious and consciously analyzed.

Words can be chosen and arranged into sentences; gestures and facial expressions are difficult to control; they are spontaneous, which is why they are more likely to express a person’s true thoughts and intentions.

Etiquette

The concept of etiquette is of French origin, since this word first appeared at the court of the French king Louis XIV. Louis sought to weaken the influence of the courtiers around him, the most noble and influential people in France. He came up with a whole set of rules for the behavior of the nobility in the presence of the king in order to show them his greatness, to rise above his subjects.

Sitting at the same table with the king, the courtiers discovered labels lying on each seat. They described how subjects should behave in the presence of the king. Over time, the set of rules was supplemented by countless and often meaningless regulations.

Today, etiquette is the rules of behavior accepted in society, while each specific society has its own rules.

This is interesting! Speech etiquette differs greatly from country to country. In Germany, it is customary to address only friends and family by name; others are called solely by their last name. In South Korea, it is not customary to shake hands when meeting; interlocutors avoid any touching of each other. In Italy, even unfamiliar people are affectionately called “Darling”, “Sweetheart”.

Speech etiquette refers to the rules governing interpersonal communication. It depends on the age of the interlocutor, the business or friendly environment, and the place of communication.

Speech etiquette and communication culture include a number of basic rules:

It is necessary to greet your interlocutors when meeting, to say goodbye when parting;
You cannot interrupt your interlocutor during a conversation;
During a conversation, you should not wave your arms wildly, raise the timbre of your voice, or gesticulate excessively;
During business communication, speech should be literate, free from filler words, calm and restrained;
Seniors in age, rank, position and strangers should be addressed as “you”;
The use of swear words is unacceptable, both in personal and business communication;
You cannot talk with your mouth full, turning your back on the interlocutor and in every possible way showing him your disinterest in the conversation.

Compliance with the rules of speech etiquette is necessary in communication to create a friendly and welcoming environment and atmosphere during a conversation.