Consultation “Forms of communication at different age stages of childhood development”

Content component of the communication process

Communication is a way to convey information to others. Therefore, one of the classifications is based on the content of statements.

1. Material - in addition to verbal skills, material objects are exchanged for the implementation of any activity. Material communication often occurs between close people, for example, the transfer of household items or purchases in a store. The purpose of such interaction is to satisfy urgent human needs.
2. Cognitive serves to transmit various information. Aimed at broadening horizons and sharing experiences. During the conversation, skills and abilities can be discussed. More common in professional environments.
3. Conditioning – aimed at influencing a person’s emotional state. Manifests itself as providing moral support and consolation.
4. Motivational – goal – motivating a person to perform actions, achieve goals.
5. Activity – combines communication and implementation of practical actions. In the process of such communication, experience, skills and abilities are exchanged.

Several types are often combined: it all depends on the degree of closeness of people and the type of their relationship.

Communication goals

When analyzing communication, psychologists also take into account the goals that a person has set for himself.

1. Biological – satisfies the natural needs of a person, maintains the vitality of the body.
2. Social – aimed at communication with other people. This type of communication helps a person improve, increases his status in society and strengthens social contacts.

A person cannot limit himself to one of the above types of communication. Because people live in society and communication with others allows them to improve their skills and abilities, and learn new things.

Differences from informal communication

Communication is a rather multifaceted process, and in each individual case it differs from the similar one, so some nuances should be highlighted.
They represent the main differences between the two types of interaction that are most often used in society. Let's consider the features of formal communication:

• Target
  . Every formal conversation, whatever it may be, has a specific goal to which communication is reduced. That is, they either want to receive some useful information from a person, or they need to convey something important to him. In both cases, the conversation is limited to these goals and should not move on to other aspects. If a formal conversation does not have a specific purpose for which it is conducted, then it can no longer be called such. Formal communication is a tool with the help of which they fulfill their work needs or solve everyday issues. If there is no need for the end result of such a conversation, it does not even arise. That is why purpose is the most important attribute of formal interpersonal communication.
• Content
  . What people talk about during a formal conversation also plays a huge role. This should be an unambiguous conversation that clarifies some work issues for one or two interlocutors. Depending on the specific goal, its content should be related to work or the relationships in which people find themselves. The discussion should cover specific aspects of the work. The questions are laconic, and the answers are short and to the point. There is no place for bright humor or other noticeably brightening circumstances. An exceptionally dry informational conversation, which should be as useful as possible for one or all interlocutors.
• Status
  . Must be taken into account in formal interpersonal communication. A person must distinguish and understand the role of the interlocutor and, depending on it, build his attitude, equating his own status. It is regulated by generally accepted rules of conduct, ethics of communication and working relationships. That is, respectful and courteous treatment is required, which does not allow a person to express his own opinion, but serves only as a mask for obtaining the necessary information or service.
• Emotionality
  . One of the most important differences between formal and informal types of interpersonal communication is the emotional component in the conversation. For the first one, this is completely uncharacteristic. Expressing through facial expressions or words one’s subjective attitude towards a person or other factor is absolutely unacceptable in formal communication.

Communication means

To implement communication skills, a person uses means that become the basis for one of the classifications.

1. Direct - the organs and parts of the body given to a person by nature are involved - the mouth, vocal cords, arms, legs. No other available means are used.
2. Indirect – additional possibilities are used to carry out communication. This type includes the use of a mobile phone, computer and other technical devices.
3. Direct – people communicate with each other in person.
4. Indirect – interaction occurs with the participation of third parties. This is negotiation, spreading rumors or another way of transmitting information.

There is a simplified classification by means, in which psychologists distinguish two large groups:

• verbal - realized with the help of speech statements and is the leading one in a person. This method expands communicative capabilities, but it cannot completely exclude the use of pantonymic means;
• non-verbal - carried out through facial expressions, gestures and transmission through bodily or sensory contacts. This type of communication occurs in some animal species. Nonverbal communication is innate and it is aimed at achieving mutual understanding on an emotional level. An important skill is listening.

Nonverbal communication is used to communicate with deaf and mute people because they do not have the ability to use verbal means.

Other types of communication

There are types of social interaction that are not included in these classifications:

• business – found in a professional environment. During it, issues of career and specific skills are addressed. Through business communication, people make business contacts or successfully negotiate;
• educational - in the process a person tries to influence the behavior of the interlocutor. A common example is the raising of a child by parents;
• diagnostic - a person tries to form a certain opinion about a person or obtain the necessary information. An example of such interaction is a conversation between a doctor and a patient;
• instrumental - its participants pursue the achievement of a specific goal, in addition to receiving pleasant emotions from the communication process itself;
• personal – people touch on topics that are personally interesting to the interlocutor. The goal is to strengthen personal relationships or realize one’s own goals.

A person uses all types of communication to develop in all areas of life. Then he will feel contentment and inner harmony.

Description of formal interpersonal communication

Communication is the most important type of interaction between individuals, without which it is very difficult to imagine existence and personal growth. It is necessary in all aspects of human life. Depending on where a person communicates, two main types can be distinguished: formal and informal. The main difference between the first is the presence of many different attitudes that limit a person’s judgment and designate specific boundaries beyond which one cannot go.

Another name for formal communication is role-playing. That is, the specific role in society is taken into account, which regulates the relationship and ethics of behavior between two people. Each individual bears a unique imprint of the society where the person grew up, the conditions in which he finds himself at the moment, and the powers that are entrusted to him.

He performs some role in relation to his interlocutor and occupies a position that requires an appropriate attitude towards himself. That is why we can say that the formal type of communication is carried out within the framework of assigned roles for everyone.

For example, a person works in a high position and communicates with his subordinate as a boss, demanding that he perform his work duties. Here you need to treat him with respect and listen to his opinion unquestioningly. Let's assume that a subordinate lives next door to this person and often meets with him near the fence, discussing seedlings, weather and even general leisure time. The second option will be limited to informal interpersonal communication, from which the roles of boss and employee are removed. Without these masks they are completely equal in conversation.

That is why it can be argued that formal interpersonal communication regulates business relationships, which are influenced by a number of bureaucratic factors. It is very limited and is subject to a lot of rules and regulations, accepted standards that must be adhered to.

Number of participants in the communication process

Several people can take part in a conversation, but not all participants will communicate with each other.

1. Personal-group or socially oriented - the initiator interacts with each member of the group. In the process, personal and group goals and objectives are formulated and reviewed. An example of personal-group communication is communication between a boss and his subordinates.
2. Interpersonal or person-oriented - in the process of interaction with a person, the interlocutor seeks to get to know him better or obtain the necessary information. Participants in communication may view each other as equal partners or tools to achieve their goals.
3. Intergroup – contact between two groups. Their goals and objectives may coincide, which will allow them to solve large-scale problems. Or the views are opposite, which will result in conflict. Examples of intergroup communication are sports fan meetings or graduation discussions between several classes. Each team member is the bearer of a group task and can defend the interests of all its members.

A person can interact with one interlocutor or a couple of people, or with a large number of others. Everything is determined by the goals and objectives of communication and the social status of the interlocutors.

Classification according to E.I. Rogov

E.I. Rogov identifies 3 dominant types of social interaction: imperative, manipulative and dialogical.

Imperative

In the psychology of communication it is called authoritarian or directive. It is based on the desire of one person to subjugate another. This manifests itself in the desire to control his thoughts and behavior in order to perform the necessary actions.

An authoritarian personality does not view their partner as a person with their own opinions and emotions. In imperative communication, a person does not hide his desire to subjugate another.

Manipulative

It has similar features to directive. His goal is similar, but the manipulator hides his true intentions. The partner is perceived as a person who has the necessary skills and qualities.

Manipulators often become victims of the communication they choose. He begins to perceive himself as one of the participants and his actions are assessed from the outside. A person becomes confused in his intentions and loses his inner core. The manipulator is characterized by deceit, constant self-control, loss of interest in the environment, a cynical attitude, mistrust and boredom.

Psychologists distinguish 4 types of manipulative communication:

• active – control is carried out through active influence. A person takes advantage of his social status. His main life principle is to be in charge everywhere and manage everyone;
• passive - the manipulator plays the role of the helpless, allowing people to provide him with help and support. Adheres to the principle of not annoying others;
• competitive – for a person, life is associated with constant competition, a chain of victories and defeats. He sees himself as a fighter, so those around him are perceived as potential rivals and enemies. His main life goal is to win at any cost;
• indifferent – ​​the manipulator portrays detachment, indifference, and therefore tries to avoid social contacts. Uses alternately active and passive means. Tries to reject the care of others.

Psychologists classify imperative and manipulative types of communication as monologue. A person views his interlocutor as a tool to achieve a goal, ignoring his emotions and desires. Therefore, the manipulator communicates with his own tasks and goals.

Dialogical

This form is the opposite of the imperative and malipulative options, because it is based on the equality of its participants. It is based on humanistic principles and in dialogue the interlocutors try to achieve mutual understanding and get to know the other person better. To implement a dialogic form of communication, a number of conditions must be met:

• attuned to the emotions and psychological state of oneself and the interlocutor;
• trust in the interlocutor without assessing his personality;
• participants in the dialogue perceive each other as equal interlocutors with the right to their own opinion. Each of them recognizes the other's right to make decisions;
• during the conversation, participants look for common problems and unresolved issues;
• communicating with a person on one’s own behalf, expressing one’s thoughts and feelings.

Dialogue is considered the perfect form of communication, which allows you to reveal a person’s character and establish trusting relationships on a deep level. A person must be psychologically prepared for such interaction and perceive the interlocutor as an equal participant in the dialogue.

Types of formal communication and their characteristics

Formal communication is quite monotonous, and it is rarely possible to identify specific differences in one form or another. Most often classified by area of ​​application. Depending on who a person is interacting with and what they want to achieve from a particular conversation, three forms of formal communication can be distinguished.

Role-playing

This is actually communication, the rules of which are dictated by the conditions.
At this particular moment, a person plays his role, and his interactions with others are built in relation to it. For example, if a woman is a beautician or consultant and is interacting with a client at work, she will use professional language, remain polite, courteous, smile and get the job done. Even if she doesn’t like the interlocutor very much, she is forced to smile and look friendly, since her role obliges her to do so.

Role communication is designed to remain protective of emotional reactions where they are extremely undesirable. In addition, by correctly constructing a pattern of interaction with people (for example, clients), you can achieve good professional results.

A welcoming and friendly attitude will affect the attendance of the salon/store/market and improve marketing indicators. This means that we can say that role-based formal communication is a unique tool that, in skillful hands, turns into a powerful means for achieving one’s own goals.

Business

This type of formal communication consists of a strict discussion of facts that relate to a common matter.
Only dry data is used, which must be communicated to the interlocutor. The goal of business communication is always the same - material or professional benefit, which is achieved through interaction with other people who work in the same field. Often business communication is presented in the form of negotiations, where all the issues of interest to the parties are succinctly and point by point. In fact, with their help, detailed information is provided. Data is transferred from one person to another, while it is compressed as much as possible to the extent of the importance and value of each sentence.

For example, a person works in a large company and must brief his subordinates regarding a new project. That is, in business language he will explain everything that is provided for in such cases. The presentation of thoughts is as laconic as possible; comparisons and comic digressions are not typical.

Functional

Used to satisfy your needs in routine life and minimal interaction with people.
That is, in each individual case it has its own function. As soon as it is completed, communication with this person stops. At the same time, there are no specific statuses that determine the equality of the interlocutors. The possibility of pre-planned future meetings is also excluded.

The most striking example would be the second-long conversations in the elevator “Which floor are you on?” or on the bus “Please pass me the fare.” In this case, it does not matter at all who this person is, higher or lower in status. He will always remain just a passerby.

Functional formal communication is regulated only by general rules of etiquette and behavior with strangers. They maintain a distance between their interlocutors and bring their share of politeness and courtesy even into such second conversations.