Meaning of communication axioms (what they are, concept and definition)

What are the Axioms of communication:

The axioms of communication are five established truths in human communication.

The psychologist Paul Watzlawick identified five axioms in relation to human communication and which are considered evident:

First axiom: It is impossible not to communicate.

In relation to the first axiom of communication, an example may be an encounter between two people in which one of them transmits information verbally to the other. This person may remain silent, but that silence is also transmitting information, so from Watzlawick's point of view it is impossible not to communicate.

Second axiom: There is a level of content and a level of communication.

An example might be a conversation in which a person asks, "Do you know what time it is?" At a content level, it seems clear that the person is asking for information regarding the time they are in, but at a communication level that person may be transmitting more information such as "You are late" or simply: "I don't know what time It is and I would like you to tell me. "

Third axiom: The nature of a relationship is established based on the punctuation or gradation that the participants make of the communicational sequences.

It consists of the interpretation of the messages exchanged and how they influence the communicative relationship that is established. In many cases, a response is considered to be a consequence or effect of previous information when the communication process is part of a feedback system.

A classic example can be seen in a couple relationship in which one of the people (A) scolds the other (B) and as a consequence, (B) withdraws. Due to this attitude, (A) scolds (B) again. This situation is reciprocal and repetitive and can serve as an explanatory example of the third axiom.

Fourth axiom: There are two modes of communication: digital and analog.

In this case, digital communication corresponds to what is said and analog communication refers to how it is said.

An example of the fourth axiom can be a dialogue between two people. One of them may say, "Come in, please, I was waiting for you" (digital communication) while making a hand gesture that may indicate, for example, impatience (analog communication).

Fifth axiom: Communication can be symmetric and complementary.

In symmetric communication there is a certain equality in behavior. Complementary communication corresponds to a communicative process in which the participants exchange different types of behaviors and their behavior is, in this relationship, complementary. It can be superior or inferior.

Some examples of the fifth axiom of communication can be a couple relationship in which there is a symmetrical communication in which the two are on the same level and reproduce behaviors. For example: one of them criticizes an attitude and the other person responds by criticizing another attitude. An example of complementary communication may be between a parent and a child in which the child expresses a question or a doubt and the parent responds with advice or solution.

See also:

• Communication Non-verbal communication