metacommunication etymology

Etymology of "Metacommunication"

• Meta: Greek prefix meaning "beyond" or "about"
• Communication: Latin word meaning "to share information or ideas"

Meaning of "Metacommunication"

Metacommunication refers to the communication that occurs about communication itself. It is a process of clarifying, negotiating, and adjusting the meaning of messages, as well as the relationship between the communicators.

Origin of the Term

The term "metacommunication" was coined in the early 20th century by the American anthropologist Gregory Bateson. In his book "Steps to an Ecology of Mind" (1972), Bateson proposed that metacommunication is a key aspect of human communication and that it plays a crucial role in establishing and maintaining relationships.

Types of Metacommunication

Metacommunication can take various forms, including:

• Verbal messages: Comments or questions about the communication itself, such as "Are you sure you mean that?" or "I'm not understanding what you're saying."
• Nonverbal cues: Gestures, facial expressions, or tone of voice that convey information about the speaker's attitude or intentions towards the communication.
• Meta-rules: Underlying assumptions or expectations about how communication should occur within a particular context.

Functions of Metacommunication

Metacommunication serves several important functions in communication:

• Clarification: Helps to ensure that the intended meaning of messages is understood.
• Negotiation: Allows communicators to adjust the meaning of messages and establish common ground.
• Relationship management: Facilitates the development and maintenance of healthy relationships by providing a means to address interpersonal concerns.
• Power dynamics: Can be used to establish or maintain power imbalances in communication.

metacommunication relate terms

• communication

  Etymology The word communication derives from the Latin word communicare meaning to

• common

  Etymology refers to the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing the

• meta

  Etymology The word meta is derived from the Ancient Greek prefix μετα meta

• metaphysics

  Etymology The word metaphysics comes from the Greek words meta after and physikos

• metacommunication

  Etymology of Metacommunication Meta Greek prefix meaning beyond or about Communic

• truant

  Etymology Middle English truaunt from Old French truant from trauandier stroller va

• aloof

  Etymology Old English ālof meaning on high or elevated Proto Germanic alēwa

• victim

  Etymology of Victim The word victim is derived from the Latin word victima which

• fudge

  Etymology The word fudge has an uncertain etymology but there are several theories

• democracy

  Etymology The word democracy is derived from the Greek words dēmos δήμος mea

• principle

  Etymology Old French principe Latin principium Proto Indo European _ prek to ta

• flatter

  Etymology The word flatter comes from the Old French word flater which itself derive

• integrate

  Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing the develop

• quandary

  Etymology The word quandary comes from the Old French word quandenier which means

• meat

  Etymology The word meat comes from the Old English word mete which means food or