1.1. basic principles of communication

Communication

• active behaviour/process

• takes part in speech acts & language games

Speaking involves

• doing something with language

Speech acts – J. L. Austin

• a framework illustrating how a speech act can be understood by its meaning, by its force (what someone is trying to accomplish) & by its effect (the reaction to what is said)

Speech acts – J. L. Austin → Three different acts

• Locutionary acts

• Illocutionary acts

• Perlocutionary acts

Locutionary acts

• the literal meaning.

• The sounds, words, phrases & sentences that combined create the actual literal meaning.

llocutionary acts

• what the speaker is trying to do (the force of the action).

Types of Illocutionary acts

• Directives (orders)

• Rogatives (petitions)

• Representatives (claims/opinions)

• Expressive (reflections of psychological states)

• Commisive (with future value – intentions, threats, promises…)

• Declarations (change the world – I do)

Perlocutionary acts:

• Intended or unintended effects that the illocutionary acts have on the receiver

Language Games - Ludwig Wittgenstein.

• the meaning of words & expressions depends on their use in specific forms of life or social contexts

Ludwig Wittgenstein believed that language is

• not just about naming objects or describing facts

• embedded in various human activities, or "games," where meaning emerges through use

• Language has many functions

• Meaning is contextual

• Language is fluid

• No fixed essence

Ludwig Wittgenstein → Language has many functions

• It’s used not only to describe things but also to ask, command, joke, promise, etc

Ludwig Wittgenstein → Meaning is contextual

• The meaning of words or phrases isdetermined by how they are used within a particular social activity or "game," like giving directions, making a promise, or participating in a debate

Ludwig Wittgenstein → Language is fluid

• Different "games" have different rules.

• What makes sense in one context might not work in another.

Ludwig Wittgenstein → No fixed essence

• No single, universal logic behind all language.

• Instead, different forms of life dictate how language functions.

according to Ludwig Wittgenstein & game language to effectively communicate

• Discriminate the type of game language

• Understanding its meaning is less about abstract definitions and more about observing how language is used in practice within different social interactions

• Depends upon certain conditions

Effective communication

• detect the “language game”:

1. the audience

2. the context

3. the goal

Essential communication skills

• active listening

• clarify

• emotional discrimination

• nonverbal communication

• cultural sensitivity

• written communication in professional settings

Active listening

• Fully concentrating on the speaker, showing understanding of their message, responding thoughtfully, & remembering key details.

• Importance: Helps build trust, allows audience to feel understood.

Clarity

• Ensures that the message is understood as intended, reducing the potential for misinterpretation.

• How does it work?: Feedback, synthesis, questioning, asking for clarification

• Open vs. closed questions: Using probing questions to gather more information while avoiding leading questions

Emotional discrimination

• To share other’s emotions, to make them feel understood and act based on these emotions (adapting the communication)

• How does it work?

1. Consider what the situation that triggered the emotion means to the individual, rather than interpreting it through your own perspective

2. Seek feedback by offering multiple options, allowing the person to choose the word that best captures their emotion (both opened & closed questions, depending on the client).

Nonverbal communication

• The use of body language, facial expressions, eye contact, posture, & gestures to communicate.

• Understanding body language, facial expressions, & tone of voice.

• The role of nonverbal cues & people’s interactions

The importtance of nonverbal communication

• Nonverbal cues might transport more than words & can help or hinder communication.

• Awareness of these cues is critical in both understanding others & presenting oneself effectively.

Cultural sensitivity

• Being open to different perspectives, avoiding premature judgments, & maintaining a neutral stance in communication.

The importance of cultural sensitivity

• This helps create a supportive environment for clients, encouraging honest dialogue without fear of criticism (punishment).

Written communication in professional settings

• Writing professional reports, case notes, & psychological assessments

• Clarity, conciseness, and ethical considerations in documentation

• Digital aids

Motivational interview (Miller & Rollnick, 1991)

• Engaging → opened questions, empathy, hopes & expectations, values goals

• Evoking → without giving the answer, showing discrepancy, we find out why people change in the first place

• Planning → give advices towards the change, being specific, measurable achievable, relevant, & time bound