This concept, as a rule, refers both to sensations and to other mental processes that describe the qualitative components of cognitive images of any complexity and level.
According to existing modalities, one can classify both sensations, and perceptions, and perceptions.
Interpretation of the term in question
Modality is a form of manifestation of an irritant in the existing sensory system of a person (auditory, visual, tactile). Translated from Latin, this term means "method".
The leading modality is the individual’s preference for “sensory food”, through which a person is best aware of what is happening.
In contrast to the spatial, intensity, and temporal characteristics of sensations , the characteristics in question reflect certain properties of reality through their specifically encoded form. For example, the length of a light wave is perceived as light, and the frequency of sound waves is reflected as a tone.
Modality in psychology is the general name of both channels of primary perception and channels of internal processing of information material.
Types of modality
A well-known fact is that the nervous system of an individual person is individual and unique. The situation is also with the so-called informational food for her.
The following types of modality are distinguished:
- Visual - visual (paintings, color, visual images and light).
- Auditory - auditory (sounds, music, auditory images and intonations).
- Kinesthetic - tactile (touch, muscle and skin feeling, internal sensations).
- Logical - semantic, abstract, discrete (terms, reasoning, generalized concepts).
This perception channel is optional. Its peculiarity is the use of information obtained not from primary sensations. The logical form of modality acts as a secondary sensory channel. But a person can process information obtained through primary channels in such a way that it loses all communication with them (semantic channel). It reflects the process of understanding information through abstract knowledge.
According to the Russian scientist I.P. Pavlova, logical modality is the second signaling system. This channel is most often sought by scientists to use as communication, they try to activate it among schoolchildren.
For communication, the first three channels above are of greatest importance. Almost every person has one channel of perception of existing information prevails over others.
In this regard, it becomes necessary to satisfy
sensory hunger, but not with any information, but exclusively with that which is required by the leading modality of the individual.
For greater clarity, it is worth giving a clear example: to solve the problem, one person will analyze possible answers by sketching on paper, and the other - speaking them out loud, the third - will connect improvised items.
Kinesthetic channel of perception
This is a modality of sensations, that is, bodily perception, which is referred to as "somatic sensations." They, in turn, are divided into internal (pain, relaxation and tension, muscle feeling, a feeling of movement and posture, the work of internal organs) and external (temperature (cold and heat), vibration, pressure).
Kinesthetic channels of perception are closely intertwined with emotions that reflect the same internal sensations, and are verbally described in the same way as they are. For example, "easy on the heart."
There is also the osmic modality of sensations (olfactory - taste and smell). Most often, this channel of perception is combined with the kinesthetic. However, smell and taste belong to completely different systems of perception, but nevertheless, a person analyzes them at the same time, and in this regard they are grouped together. An example is the expression: “delicate taste”, “sweet smell”, etc.
Without a smell, the entire flavor palette is substantially lost. In practice, this can be confirmed by the common phenomenon when a person with a disturbed sense of smell (nasal congestion) takes food that seems tasteless and fresh to him, although the organ responsible for taste functions normally.
Modality of judgment
This is, to a certain extent, additional information expressed in the relevant judgment regarding its logical or actual status, as well as estimated, regulatory, temporal and other characteristics.
The modality of judgments is represented by such important and most common varieties as:
- aletic;
- epistemic;
- deontic;
- axiological.
Essence of the Aletic Modality
It is presented in a judgment, which is expressed through such contrasting terms as necessity — randomness, possibility — impossibility of its logical or actual determinism of information. To be precise, the words “by chance” and “possibly”, as well as their synonyms, are directly considered modal in this situation in our language.
Types of aletic modality
They are represented by the following restrictions:
- Problematic (judgment regarding the possibility of an event). Now the above example takes the following form: In Russia, reforms can be carried out in relation to the Armed Forces. Assertive (judgments of a real fact). For example: At present, the reform of the Armed Forces is really underway in Russia. As can be seen from the example, there is no expression of modality, and only the fact of what is happening is ascertained directly.
- Apodictic (judgments regarding the need to accomplish an event). Example: In Russia, it is necessary to carry out a series of reforms in relation to the Armed Forces.
Deontic view of modality
It applies exclusively to human activities, legal and moral standards of their behavior within society.
A deontic modality is a request, order, prescription, or advice expressed through judgment that prompts certain actions. These requirements may be normative (including legal provisions). The expression of the deontic modality of perception is carried out using the words: “allowed”, “obligatory”, “forbidden”, etc.
Classification of deontic modality depending on the existing nature of norms
In this regard, judgments are:
- On the presence or absence of a right. They are expressed through such words as “entitled”, “allowed”, “forbidden”, etc.
- On the presence or absence of a duty. The words forming the judgments are: “must”, “obliged”, etc.
Definition of epistemic modality
It characterizes the degree of veracity of knowledge. Epistemic modality is information expressed through judgment regarding the grounds for its adoption and the degree of validity. That is, in the process of exchanging information in the course of communication between people, a clear awareness of the grounds for accepting or not accepting the assessments expressed by statements, opinions, evidence, etc.
The decision to make a statement is influenced by many objective and subjective, external and internal factors, the most important of which are logical (the basis of which are opinions of opinions expressing faith) and non-logical (judgments that are logically justified and express knowledge). The manifestation of this modality of perception occurs through the words: “unprovable”, “refuted”, “proved”, etc.
Varieties of Epistemic Modality
They are represented by two judgments:
- The basis is faith. Example: I believe that everything will be fine.
- The basis is knowledge. Example: According to the testimony of witnesses, Ivanov did not participate in the commission of this theft.
Axiological modality
It is represented by a person’s attitude to spiritual and material values and is expressed through such words as “bad”, “good”, etc. An example of this modality is the judgment: It is good that it started to rain.
Linguistic scope of this concept
The modality in the language (English) is a certain characteristic that indicates probability, necessity, opportunity.
Five main modal verbs are distinguished , four of which have the past tense form (indicated below through the corresponding “/” sign).
So, it is worth listing them:
- can / could;
- may / might;
- shall / should;
- will / would;
- must / absent.
However, this concept is expressed not only through modal verbs, but also using modal adverbs, such as:
- likely (most likely);
- surely (probably);
- possibly, etc.