Paul Watzlawick was an Austrian psychologist and researcher who proposed five axioms to succeed in a communication, is considered one of the most important contemporary communication theorists and has made a great contribution to psychotherapy applied to the family environment.
From 1967, Paul Watzlawick began working on the subject of successful communication. He believed that this was fundamental to understanding and improving human relationships, especially in families. From there were born his five axioms, also known as “interactive theory”.
- “The belief that the very vision of reality is the only reality is the most dangerous of all illusions.
- “Paul Watzlawick.
Paul Watzlawick was also a very prolific writer, published 18 books and nearly 150 academic articles, developed his research at the Institute of Mental Research at palo Alto University (California, USA). U. S. ) And he was also a professor of psychiatry at Stanford University. its five axioms and also the fundamental principles of successful communication.
The first axiom of Watzlawick’s theory indicates that it is impossible not to communicate. Every human being communicates from birth. You can’t escape, even if you don’t talk, your body will always say something.
The gaze, posture, expression of the face and body are ways of manifesting what is in thought, silence itself or stillness are ways of communicating a message, so communication is something inherent to the human being.
Watzlawick’s second axiom emphasizes that all communication has two levels: one of content and one of relationship. In other words, a message takes on its meaning by what is said, but also by the link between the two people who communicate. To call someone, could it be an offense, a joke or even a show of affection. It all depends on the context.
The third axiom is about scoring, or how communication flows or interrupts communication between two people. Each part helps to continue, modulate or expand the exchange that occurs with communication.
Watzlawick’s fourth axiom suggests that there are two basic types of communication: digital or verbal and analog or nonverbal. Therefore, it not only influences what is said, but also how it is said. This is the whole message.
However, the fifth axiom emphasizes that communication can be symmetrical or complementary. Symmetrical is what happens between equals. Complementary is what happens vertically, that is, between those who have power and those who do not.
All these axioms allowed Watzlawick to define the parameters of successful communication, this happens when the axioms work properly and people can tune in to the themes and tones they are talking about.
In particular, we talk about successful communication when these criteria are met:
Watzlawick points out that communication basically fails when people cannot deviate from their own point of view; in this case, listening is interrupted and it is impossible to pave the way for understanding.