Communication is an integral part of our life. Constantly we talk, call up, write to each other on the network, and can no longer imagine our life without various communications. This is natural, because man is a social being. However, few people think about how our communication with different people changes and under different circumstances. All this will be discussed later in the article.
Types of communication
What we do every day, without hesitation, researchers in the field of psychology and sociology have carefully studied and structured. Thus, there are many classifications of types of communication on various grounds.
According to the system of symbols and signs, communication can be subdivided into verbal and non-verbal, in form - oral and written, and according to the purpose they distinguish between phatic and information communication. In addition to this classification, there is another, similar system.
Researchers distinguish between levels of communication: fatal, informational and personal, which differ in their purpose and content.
Types of communication can be infinitely divided into private and official, dialogue and monologue, mass and personal, and so on. But today we will talk about phatic communication and its important role in people's lives.
The concept and history of the term
For the first time, the psychologist Malinowski spoke of fatal communication in the early twentieth century. The term itself, translated from Latin, means "empty", "stupid." Speaking about the fatal level of communication, the researcher had in mind a useless, not informative conversation.
Initially, the term “fatal” was used only in relation to the so-called “nothing” conversations, which serve to maintain an emotional climate and a favorable environment.
However, in the future, the concept was expanded and was considered in some situations as a way to start an informative dialogue. That is, those very “empty” conversations could develop into a useful dialogue with a high degree of semantic load.
Goals and Features
From all of the above, it follows that the goal of phatic communication is to establish contact between interlocutors, maintain emotional communication and relationships.
It is meaningless conversations that do not carry valuable information and convey the emotional state of the interlocutors, their opinions, feelings, dreams and expectations that bring people together, make their relationship warmer.
Fatal communication has some features. For example, spontaneity and unplannedness. Indeed, communication at this level, as a rule, is not prepared in advance. It occurs when meeting over a cup of coffee, meeting each other, unexpected meeting on the street, when you need to take time for a person or just distract from the hustle and bustle.
The next feature of such communication is the lack of a topic. The topic of conversation in this case does not matter. You can talk about plans for the summer, weather, natural phenomenon, all these topics will not bring any benefit to the interlocutors in the information plan. However, emotions are what distinguishes this communication. It is on intonation, shades of speech, comparisons and experiences that such communication is built.
Spoken style is another essential feature of phatic communication. Undoubtedly, emotionally colored conversation heart-to-heart cannot be conducted in an official business or scientific style. These styles are inherent in information communication.
Genres
Of course, this level of communication occupies a huge part of our lives and penetrates into many areas. Therefore, one can distinguish the genres of phatic communication.
The first is a small talk. Indeed, this type of communication rarely carries a semantic load. When meeting in a society, unfamiliar people tend to set up a friendly atmosphere and create a comfortable environment. In this case, aimless conversations are a great way to achieve this goal.
The next genre is accusations and quarrels. Such communication is also uninformative, in addition, it also has negative consequences.
Compliments and confessions are also a genre of fatal communication, as they serve to establish contacts, while not carrying a semantic load.
Jokes and flirting, of course, also have as their goal exclusively entertainment, relaxation of the situation and the creation of a relaxed atmosphere. Therefore, this method of communication can also be called fatal.
Facilities
Means of phatic communication can be divided into two types.
The first is the means of communication, designed to get in touch, create a first impression. This includes greetings, questions about the state of affairs, compliments. Such introductory phrases are designed to start a conversation or acquaintance.
The second means are phrases and words whose purpose is to maintain contact. Here you can consider the very conversations about the weather, discussions of events and events, the interior and the environment in which the interlocutors are.
Features of communication in different countries
So, the essence of phatic communication is already clear. But it is worth remembering that the culture of the country in which it occurs mainly affects such communication.
So, for example, in England, the topic for "empty" conversation can be the weather. This is completely uninformative, because both interlocutors are witnesses of what is happening, therefore, they will not learn anything new from such a conversation. However, this is a great way to start a conversation.
And in Asian countries, the discussion of the family becomes a fatal topic, which would be completely strange for US residents who are not used to devoting strangers to the details of their personal lives. In America, the theme of a past match or cultural event will be more appropriate.
Russia is characterized by closer contacts. Even with an insignificant degree of acquaintance, people are ready to share their feelings, opinions and dreams. Fatal communication in Russia is more emotional and more common than in many other countries.
Information communication is the opposite of the fatal
It is impossible to fully disclose the topic of phatic communication without imagining its opposite - information communication.
In this case, the purpose of the conversations is to transmit new, useful information. In such communication, business, journalistic and scientific narrative styles are often found. The topic of informational communication is most often prepared and known in advance.
Information communications, as well as fatal ones, can concern two people, a group of people or the masses.
These include school classes, conferences, speeches by scientists, reports of political figures, meetings of the board of shareholders and so on. Often such communication is loaded with data, facts and figures.
So, phatic communication, despite its lack of information, is useful. It is thanks to him that relations are struck, conversations begin, and the relationships of loved ones become warm and sincere. Therefore, do not underestimate this type of communication.