Fatic communication: concept, levels, means

2024 Author: Miguel Ramacey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 06:11

Communication is an integral part of our life. We constantly talk, call each other, write to each other on the network, and we 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 and under different circumstances changes. All this will be discussed later in the article.

Types of communication

What we do every day without thinking, researchers in the field of psychology and sociology have carefully studied and structured. Thus, there are many classifications of types of communication according to various criteria.

According to the system of symbols and signs, communication can be divided into verbal and non-verbal, according to the form - oral and written, and according to the purpose, communication is distinguished between fatic and informational. In addition to this classification, there is another, similar system.

Researchers distinguish between levels of communication: phatic, informational and personal, which differ in their purpose andcontent.

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, psychologist Malinovsky spoke about phatic communication at the beginning of the twentieth century. The term itself, translated from Latin, means "empty", "stupid". Speaking about the phatic level of communication, the researcher had in mind a useless, not informative conversation.

Initially, the term "phatic" 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 considered in some situations as a way to start an informative dialogue. That is, those same "empty" conversations could develop into a useful dialogue with a high degree of semantic load.

Goals and Traits

From all of the above, it follows that the purpose of phatic communication is to establish contact between interlocutors, maintain emotional connection 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, bring people together, make their relationship warmer.

Phatic communication has some traits. For example, spontaneity and unscheduled. Indeed, communication of this level, as a rule, is notis prepared in advance. It happens when meeting for a cup of coffee, meeting, unexpected meeting on the street, when you need to devote time to a person or just escape 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, the weather, a natural phenomenon, all these topics will not bring any benefit to the interlocutors in terms of information. However, emotions are what distinguishes this communication. It is on intonation, shades of speech, comparisons and experiences that communication of this kind is built.

Conversational style is another essential feature of phatic communication. Undoubtedly, an emotionally colored heart-to-heart conversation cannot be conducted in an official business or scientific style. These styles are inherent in information communication.

Genres

Of course, this level of communication takes up a huge part of our lives and penetrates into many areas. Therefore, genres of phatic communication can be distinguished.

The first is small talk. Indeed, this type of communication rarely carries a semantic load. When meeting in society, unfamiliar people tend to set up a friendly atmosphere, create a comfortable environment. In this case, pointless 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 phatic communication, as they serve to establish contacts,while not carrying a semantic load.

Jokes and flirting, of course, also aim solely at entertainment, defusing the situation and creating a relaxed atmosphere. Therefore, this way of communication can also be called phatic.

Funds

Means of phatic communication can be divided into two types.

The first is a means of communication designed to get in touch, to 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 keep contact. Here you can view the same 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 such communication is mainly influenced by the culture of the country in which it takes place.

So, for example, in England, the weather can become a topic for an "empty" conversation. 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, discussion of the family becomes a phatic topic, which would be completely strange for US residents who are not used to devoting details of the personal lives of strangers. In America, the topic of the past match or cultural event will become more appropriate.events.

Russia is characterized by closer contacts. Even with a slight degree of acquaintance, people are ready to share their experiences, opinions and dreams. Fatal communication in Russia is more emotional and more common than in many other countries.

Informational communication is the opposite of phatic

It is impossible to fully reveal the topic of phatic communication without presenting its opposite - information communication.

In this case, the purpose of the conversations is to convey new, useful information. In such communication, business, journalistic and scientific styles of narration are often found. The topic of information communication is most often prepared and known in advance.

Information communications, just like phatic ones, can concern two people, a group of people or masses.

This includes school classes, conferences, speeches by scientists, reports of politicians, meetings of the board of shareholders and so on. Often these communications are loaded with data, facts and figures.

So, phatic communication, despite its lack of information, is useful. It is thanks to him that relationships are established, conversations begin, and the relationships of loved ones become warm and sincere. So don't underestimate this kind of communication.