Psychology and Communication

Psychology and communication – at first glance, they may not have much in common, but if we allowed ourselves to dive below the superficiality of these scientific and practical areas, we would notice that these are closely related topics. Communication is, above all, interaction between people, and at the same time it is an indispensable part of psychology.

The relationship between psychology and communication has been productive in the past, as both sides wanted to harness the knowledge. Over time, communication experts have continued to work with psychologists precisely because of the possibility of a better understanding of the communication relations and processes offered by psychology. On the other hand, contemporary psychologists have shown considerable interest in the ways of communication since the Second World War. For example, behaviorists tend to view communication in terms of the relation of stimuli and responses between the source of communication and individuals. Psychoanalysts are focused on Freud’s analysis of ego theory, and these interactions in communication tend to be seen as an echo of family group dynamics experienced in early life. Social psychology is most often defined as the study of the ways in which society affects the individual and the individual affects society. Given the above, one could expect that the study of communication will be at the core of social psychology.

The core elements of communication are effective messaging and dialogue. Successful communication is a key skill for achieving goals. It is not only what we say that matters, but also the way we say it. It is more than a mere exchange of information. It is about understanding the intentions behind the information and the ability to convey the message clearly. Mastering the art of communication ensures the effective transmission of any message, to any audience, which is important to achieve any goal.

There are two main aspects of communication: verbal communication, which focuses on the voice and language we use, and ensures that our interlocutor fully understands the message. Then there is nonverbal communication, which amplifies the meaning of the message conveyed by body language, such as eye contact, gestures, and tics. Mastering communication skills is necessary, for both, private and professional aspects of one’s life, because it provides many opportunities, primarily good presentation of ideas and thoughts, conveying the message in a comprehensible and clear way, and creating quality relationships.

The main criterion for psychological analysis of communication is neither the message nor the medium, but the expectation of the person receiving the message. That is why it is important to always work on your own communication skills. One of them involves active listening. Although, today it is unfairly neglected in relation to speech, listening is the most fundamental component of interpersonal communication. As the name suggests, the goal is to concentrate on what is being said instead of passive listening. A very simple exercise that helps develop the skill of listening is to, when the person has finished speaking, briefly repeat what has been said A summary of the conversation will give the person we are talking to, a sign that we have understood and listened. Even if you have not been to a psychologist, then you have certainly had the opportunity to see in many films exactly this pattern of behaviour of psychologists – the basic role of psychologists in interaction is the role of an active listener.

In time of contemporary communication, which is characterized by cacophony, perhaps the development of the skill of active listening is the first lesson in psychology that communicators must know and practice more often.

Another important lesson from psychology is that in communication, it is very important to think about the situation from the perspective of another person. Developing the ability to understand and empathize can help facilitate expression and establish stable communication and connection with another person. The best way to communicate is to use assertive way of communication, which establishes healthy boundaries, without suppressing one’s own needs, and without imposing them. The assertive approach is a compromise between a submissive and an aggressive approach.

In the end, we can say that psychology is a social science, and communication is the foundation of social interactions and, of course, both are an indispensable part of our lives. Like any other art, the art of communication is not just a set of golden rules that need to be followed unmistakably to achieve a goal. Being a good communicator means constantly acquiring new knowledge, improving skills and, of course, applying what we have learned in practice. Being a good communicator means being, among other things, a psychologist, an active listener, a clear speaker, which is the only right way to, successfully, share our attitudes, thoughts, and emotions with other people and in return gain understanding.