The 5 axioms of communication: what are they?

The theory of Watzlawick, Beavin and Jackson proposes these universal principles of communication.

To communicate is to transmit information or a message through a code known to those who are part of the communicative act.It is something fundamental in nature since it allows our survival (both in ourselves and in other living beings).

However, and as we can see in the existence of multiple languages, we do not all share the same codes, so understanding what others tell us can be difficult.

Nevertheless, the truth is that although we have different languages, symbols and ways of expressing ourselves, it is possible to observe a number of similarities in the way our codes work. These similarities have been the subject of study by numerous authors and have served as the basis for the creation of theories of communication and language. One of them, that of Watzlawick, Beavin and Jackson, proposes that there are different axioms of communication..

What and what are these axioms? Let's see them in this article.

Axioms of communication: what are they?

We know as axioms of communication the set of principles or laws that are considered to be true and universal and which govern all communicative exchanges, regardless of the type or number of interlocutors between whom the communication takes place.

These were proposed by Watzlawick, Beavin and Jackson in their theory of human communication, in which they analyzed the most pragmatic part of language (the way in which communication can affect human behavior) and visualized the existence of five major principles or axioms that are taken as true and are always fulfilled.

Thus, every time we talk to a person, animal or even ourselves, we are establishing a dialogue in which a few basic principles will always be fulfilled, even if we pretend otherwise. The axioms of communication obey the very structure and form of language and the communicative act, and allow us, among other things, to give meaning and to understand human communication qualitatively.

However, it is necessary to bear in mind that although these principles are present in all communication, their meaning need not always be the same. These principles are general but do not take into account the important role that culture plays in explaining the meaning of our communicative acts: each culture has its own perspective and way of seeing the world, including the way it expresses itself and the meaning it gives to each aspect of communication. and the meaning it gives to each aspect of communication.

Important knowledge

The axioms of communication and their knowledge are a great advantage: they can help us to understand how different people or even animals (although Watzlawick's theory is that of human communication, it could be applicable to other beings) interact and send information to their fellow beings, and start working from this understanding on ways to express or send information or modify maladaptive or even pathological communication patterns.

In this sense, it can allow to work in areas such as psychology (not only at a theoretical level but also in therapy, as in the case of family or couple therapy), pedagogy, business or even marketing and advertising.

The five axioms of communication

Watzlawick, Beavin and Jackson proposed a total of five axioms of communication, which we can observe below.

1. It is impossible not to communicate / all behavior is communicative.

The first of the axioms of communication states that it is impossible for us not to communicate, regardless of our ability or willingness.regardless of our ability or willingness. And the fact is that communicating is not just talking or not talking: every act we do, or even those we do not do, has a meaning that can be perceived or interpreted and alter the behavior of the receivers.

Even silence is communicative: if a person is silent and does not speak, it may imply that he/she does not want to talk to us or say something, that he/she is uncomfortable with a particular subject or person, that he/she has not noticed or does not care about our presence, or that he/she is reflecting or resting, for example.

2. The interaction between content and relationship

The second axiom states that the transmitted message will be interpreted by the listener or receiver according to the relationship he/she has with the sender.. Thus, the relationship between the actors or agents of the communicative exchange will determine how the content of the message should be understood, so that the content will have different meanings depending on who says it. The relationship becomes a metacommunicative element, since it directs the way in which the content will be interpreted.

To give an easy to understand example, it is not the same to be told "you are on the street" by a friend (who may be literally telling us where you are) or by our boss (in this case a dismissal is taking place).

3. Sequence punctuation in the facts

The third of the axioms states that all types of communicative interaction occur in a bidirectional mannerThe third axiom states that all communicative interaction is bidirectional: the sender and the receiver affect each other, generating a reaction in the other and generating a certain sequence.

Although this occurs in all conversations, a very simple example is what happens, for example, in discussions, where conflict can escalate as one reacts to the other's messages.

4. Digital and analog communication

The fourth axiom states that when communicating we use and take into account both digital and analog communication, that is, both what is said (generally verbal) and the way it is said (nonverbal). Thus, we have to value both the words and other aspects such as gestures, tone, distance and position..

In this sense, we can interpret very different things if someone says "you're early" smiling or if he says it sulking, with arms up in arms and tapping his foot.

5. Symmetry and complementarity in interactions

The last of the proposed axioms is especially relevant in the organizational sphere, and states that it is necessary to take into account the fact that It states that it must be taken into account that there can be symmetry or complementarity in communicative relationships, depending on whether everyone has the same role.depending on whether everyone has the same role or position of power or whether the relationship is unequal.

Thus, there are communicative acts in which one person directs the exchange from a position of superiority (something that makes the exchange more restricted, especially for the person in the inferior position), while in other more symmetrical acts the communication is much more bidirectional and open. These different types of relationship can greatly mark the functionality and results of the communicative exchange. None of them is intrinsically positive or negative, but they can have different usefulness depending on the situation.

For example, in a symmetrical couple relationship both partners will be able to express themselves on equal terms and agree on how and where their relationship is going, while in a boss-employee relationship it will be the former who will decide where the company is going.