You cannot not communicate

Communication model: relationship content model

The communication model of the five axioms was developed by Watzlawick and is based on five basic rules, the axioms. These apply in all communication situations.

Axiom 1: You cannot not communicate

• People are in a communication situation when they perceive each other.

Axiom 2: Every communication has a content and relationship aspect

• Every communication contains a content aspect
• Communication also has a relationship aspect that is relevant to communication
• Communication is only successful if both dialogue partners clearly separate the content and relationship levels from each other

Axiom 3: Communication is analogue and digital

• Communication processes are subject to a structure
• Both dialogue partners react to each other

Axiom 4: Communication is analogue and digital

• Digital (verbal) communication
• Analogue (non-verbal) communication

Axiom 5: Communication is symmetrical or complementary

• Interlocutors can either communicate with each other on an equal footing (symmetrical) or on an unequal footing (complementary)

Communication model: 4 levels of communication

The 4-level communication model was coined by Friedemann Schulz von Thun.

• Every message is based on four levels and therefore there are always four messages in every single statement
• Factual level
  • When communicating on the factual level, this refers to the pure content
  • Factual information does not lead to a request to do or refrain from doing something
• Self-revelation
  • The sender always unconsciously passes on a statement about his own personality to the recipient
  • Feelings often also resonate at this level
• Appeal
  • Request to act

Communication model: Sender-receiver model

The sender-receiver model is a communication model developed by Claude E. Shannon and Warren Weaver.

• It is a simple model that assumes that a sender A wants to communicate their thoughts using a coded signal (speech, facial expressions, gestures, body language, etc.) and that a receiver B can decode and understand this signal
• Sender and receiver must have the same code repertoire

Communication disorder is caused by a lack of knowledge about the codes of the communication partners

Communication model: Organon model

The Organon model was developed by Karl Bühler.

• Language as a tool (Greek organon)
• Basis of communication = linguistic sign that connects sender, receiver and facts
• Linguistic sign fulfils three functions (expression, representation, appeal)
  • Expression = articulation of a symptom (feeling, thought, opinion, etc.)
  • Representation = representation of a fact as accurately as possible
  • Appeal = request contained in a statement that is intended to trigger a reaction in the recipient