Interpersonal communication: functions, types and types
Interpersonal communication is a verbal form of communication that performs several functions:
- information and communication, that is, it implies the exchange of data between partners;
- regulatory-communicative, since rules and norms of behavior are being developed;
- affective-communicative, since it is capable of creating psychological release.
The following types of interpersonal communication are distinguished.
Firstly, formal, when there is no desire to understand and take into account the personality characteristics of your interlocutor. Moreover, the usual “masks” of rigor, politeness, indifference, modesty, compassion, etc. are observed, as well as a standard set of gestures, phrases, and facial expressions. This will allow you to hide your real emotions and attitude towards your interlocutor.
Secondly, primitive interpersonal communication. With this type, the other is assessed from the point of view of necessity or uselessness. If they are interested in a communication partner, then they actively contact him, otherwise they push him away or avoid him.
Thirdly, functional-role interpersonal communication, which is based on the social status of partners (subordinate-boss, student-teacher, buyer-seller). In this type, strict expectations and norms “work”; the means and content of communication are regulated. Consequently, the interlocutor himself is in the background in terms of social role.
Fourthly, business communication implies that it is necessary to take into account the personality, age, character and mood of the interlocutor. The interests of business will always come to the fore, with possible differences in views and opinions in the background. There is a goal, it is aimed at achieving some kind of substantive agreement.
Fifth, spiritual interpersonal communication. This communication is carried out between close people and involves conversation on any topic. Partners will be able to understand each other by movements, facial expressions and intonation. Such interpersonal communication is possible if the interlocutors know each other well.
Sixthly, the secular type of communication must meet the norms accepted in a given society. In the process of communication, a person, as a rule, will say not what he thinks, but what is necessary in a given situation. The secular type of communication is distinguished by its closed nature and the presence of a special code: tact, politeness, agreement, approval, sympathy.
Seventh, manipulative interpersonal communication is aimed at obtaining benefits from the interlocutor. A partner who has similar goals will be able to use a variety of techniques - flattery, demonstration of kindness, intimidation, blackmail, deception.
In social psychology, the following types of interpersonal communication are distinguished:
- imperative;
- manipulation;
- dialogue.
Imperative interpersonal communication is an authoritarian, directive form of influencing one’s partner in order to control his behavior and force him to take specific actions. The peculiarity of communication is that this goal is unveiled. To achieve it, instructions, orders, requirements and regulations are used.
Manipulation is a common form of interpersonal communication that involves influencing the interlocutor to achieve hidden intentions and goals. But they hide from their partner, or are replaced by others.
Dialogue communication allows you to take into account the attitudes, as well as the opinion of the interlocutor. It is built on the basis of certain rules of interaction. We are talking about the psychological attitude towards communication; non-judgmental perception of a partner as an equal, having the right to an opinion and decision; the presence of personification of communication.
What are interpersonal relationships?
Interpersonal relationships are the total number of interactions between people.
The concept is very broad; for ease of perception, it should be divided into types of interpersonal relationships. Any type of interpersonal relationship has its own characteristics and affects the personality in a certain way. Next, we will look at what the main features of interpersonal relationships are, we will learn the basic rules and laws of productive interpersonal relationships. There is such a thing as the Donbar number. It shows the maximum number of interpersonal connections a person can maintain without experiencing discomfort. For the average person, this is 150 connections (range ranges from 100 to 230).
Features of interpersonal relationships
- Not all interpersonal relationships will be sensually colored. Every day a person enters into contacts where there is no talk of feelings, for example, these are communicative acts with sellers, hairdressers, etc. Here we can talk about adequate indifference. But indifference can also be considered as an unfavorable component if it arises in the process of long-term and varying degrees of significant relationships.
- Ambivalence of feelings. Another interesting feature of interpersonal relationships. After all, we may either not be aware of some feelings or hide them, since they are unacceptable for manifestation by social norms (for example, hatred of parents). When such ambivalence arises, it becomes difficult for a person to structure his behavior during contact.
- The main feature of adequate interpersonal relationships is reciprocity. It includes interaction, mutual understanding, mutual respect, mutual perception.
- Individuality. This feature applies to all levels and types of interpersonal relationships. We will not find two people with you who have identical relationships.
- Mobility is another feature of relationships between individuals. This is a dynamic structure, and even if the relationship is long-term, stable and stable, there is still “movement” in it. The dynamics can be jumping, negative or positive.
Psychology of Interpersonal Relationships
Interpersonal relationships have a pronounced emotional connotation in different gradations; they can be conscious, partially conscious or unconscious by a person. The divisions between business and interpersonal relationships are not sufficiently developed; some consider them together, while others separate them from each other, but at the same time emphasize that they are still closely related to each other.
The types of relationships and their classifications are a rather confusing topic, but we will try to cover it as accurately as possible.
Interpersonal relationships contain three components.
- The cognitive component (informational, gnostic) is a person’s awareness of those elements of the relationship that are attractive or unattractive to him.
- The affective component is the emotional experiences associated with contacts with people. As a rule, this component is the leading one. Has a positive, neutral or negative connotation. The color options and the history of their transitions are enormous.
- The behavioral component is how, based on the first two components, you actually interact with other people. The behavioral component depends not only on the emotional and cognitive components, but is also regulated by social norms.
To form successful interpersonal relationships between people, many factors should be taken into account: partners’ information about each other, nationality, age, gender, profession, general experience of communicative interactions and, most importantly, the personal characteristics of the communicating people.
Types of Interpersonal Relationships
The types of interpersonal relationships are based on the psychological characteristics of the specific person coming into contact. There are 8 distinct psychological predispositions of the individual, on the basis of which certain models of interpersonal interaction are built.
Friendly type of interpersonal interaction
Such a person depends on the approval of society, strives to satisfy his need to “always be good”, and in a conflict situation always strives to find a compromise. Demonstrates attentiveness to the emotional state of other people.
Dependent type of interpersonal interaction
A person of the dependent type is characterized by lack of confidence in himself and his strengths, blurring of his own point of view and the search for an authoritative opinion to confirm it, inability to adequately respond to conflict and stressful situations, and helplessness.
Subordinate type of interpersonal interaction
The subordinate type has some overlap with the dependent type, but the degree of gradation of the subordinate’s own insecurities is much higher. Here we are talking not just about the inability to self-support, but to self-humiliation. A subordinate personality cannot exist without authority; she unquestioningly fulfills other people’s duties, but as if she has no goals of her own. It is very easy to lead this type into awkward emotional experiences, even if not on purpose.
Altruistic type of interpersonal interaction
The basis of the altruistic type is sacrifice. Altruists have both their own needs and interests, but they deliberately sacrifice them to satisfy the needs of other people. From communicating with such people, you get the feeling that they are imposing their help, even when there was no request for it.
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Selfish type of interpersonal interaction
Such people often resort to dishonest competition, achieve their goals while ignoring the goals of others, and in communication cause unpleasant sensations in the interlocutor with their excessive narcissism. They do not hesitate to shift responsibilities and their tasks onto other people in every possible way.
Aggressive type of interpersonal interaction
This type of personality is prone to devaluing other people's emotions. They treat the difficulties of others with ridicule, are prone to constant accusations, rarely take responsibility for mistakes upon themselves, and do not compromise. They claim to be straightforward and honest in their actions, although in fact their words and actions are most often tactless. Overly irritable, overly persistent.
Authoritarian type of interpersonal interaction
Regardless of the social situation and format of interaction, they strive to be an authority. Their need for power reaches the verge of despotism. Someone else’s opinion has no place for them; it requires impeccable respect for one’s own personality, even without apparent reasons. They don’t ask, they don’t ask, they point.
Suspicious type of interpersonal interaction
People who resort to this type believe that literally every person in this world is hostile. They criticize everyone around them, all phenomena and events, and often report that they are constantly disappointed in their partners, friends, and family. They are not capable of establishing trusting contact and often complain.
Of course, the reader will think that among these eight types there are none who are capable of engaging in productive interpersonal relationships. And he will be right. This is true, such individuals cause discomfort to themselves and others, they do not have certain communicative competencies.
But, most likely, everyone found among them a description of some friend or family member. Perhaps someone has noticed that they themselves most often resort to a certain type. Can such people learn to interact productively? The answer is “yes, they can.” We'll look at how next.
Naturally, it is impossible to always be suspicious of contact or authoritarian. You can't be “always good.” The model of productive interpersonal interaction implies a balance between one’s own confidence and acceptance of others, between one’s own goals, which should still be a priority, and not violating the boundaries of others.
The role of the emotional component in human relationships
When building any interpersonal relationships, empathy is the basis.
Empathy is the response of one person to the emotional state of another.
A person has different types of emotional states: simple biological emotions (for example, fear), mood emotions (cheerful, tired, etc.), affects (rage), feelings, stress reactions. Of course, based on any type of these emotional states, contacts will be built in different ways.
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You need to understand that it is not possible to build adequate contact in all emotional states. For example, affective emotions are definitely not conducive to adequacy.
The ability to empathize helps you guess and recognize your partner's feelings. Empathy can be cognitive (it manifests itself in understanding the state of your interlocutor, but without changing your own emotional state), emotional (not only understanding, but also sympathy, empathy for your partner) and higher (when you not only realize, accept and sympathize, but also act in accordance with the emotional state of the partner).
Sometimes emotions may seem to get in the way of some relationships. But that's not true. After all, any emotion performs some function: reflective-evaluative, protective, activating, compensating. If you realize that some emotion brings discomfort to your relationship, then you need to realize it and find what need you or your partner is trying to satisfy by expressing this emotion.
Classification of interpersonal relationships
There are a great many different classifications of interpersonal relationships, and they all have their place, since they are based on different comparison criteria. Let's look at the most basic and popular of them.
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By degree of importance
Classification of interpersonal relationships according to the degree of significance for a particular person.
| Primary | Secondary |
| Necessary. The other participant in this relationship cannot be replaced; the basis is feelings of attachment. For example, parent-child. | Are not necessary. Depends on the functions that people perform in relation to each other. They are characterized by shallow emotional involvement. Secondary relationships include relationships between housemates. |
By the number of interacting elements
Classification of interpersonal relationships according to the number of interacting elements.
| Interpersonal | Personal-group | Intergroup |
| The process of interaction between 2-3 people. | The process of relationship between one individual and a group of people. | The process of interaction between two/several groups of people. |
By forms of regulation
Classification of interpersonal relationships according to forms of regulation.
| Formal relations | Informal relationships |
| These relations are regulated by official documents and have certain norms and rules. | Based on mutual evaluation, authority, feelings of sympathy and antipathy. |
By purpose
Classification of interpersonal relationships according to the goals and direction of interaction.
| By direction of interaction | By interaction goals | ||
| Vertical direction | Horizontal direction | Business relationship | Personal relationships |
| Direction regulated by an established hierarchy. For example, at work: management - subordinate. | Direction regulated by an established hierarchy. Here we are talking about the interaction of people of the same social status. For example, two colleagues in the same position. | Relationships that arise in the process of joint activities of people to achieve goals. Based on the distribution of responsibilities between the group. | Personal interpersonal relationships develop outside of joint activities. They are based on feelings. |
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According to the degree of expression of emotions
Classification of interpersonal relationships according to the severity of the emotional component.
| Rational | Emotional |
| Fundamental in such relationships is the possession of specific information about the other person. Objective assessments received from others around you are also important. | Their basis is feelings, a subjective assessment that arises when perceived by a specific individual. |
The process of interpersonal interaction can rarely refer only to a specific item of one classification. For example, the “husband-wife” relationship: is simultaneously formal and informal, emotional, personal, interpersonal, horizontal and, sometimes, business.
Classification points can intersect with each other and move from one to another. For productive interaction, it is important to understand how these transitions are made and whether they are acceptable in each specific contact.
