What Is Metacommunication & Why Does It Matter?

Everyone communicates on a daily basis. It is the means through which we convey our ideas and views. Communicating effectively is important to living a fulfilling life. It helps us resolve misunderstandings in personal and professional relationships.

Metacommunication is a secondary element of regular talking. It is a hidden element that can only be observed by those who know about it. While talking to someone, we are not always able to convey all our inner thoughts. But they are well expressed by other parts of our demeanour. These include things like facial expressions and body language. It is exactly what constitutes metacommunication.

Keep reading to learn more about it.

What is Metacommunication?

The origins of metacommunication go as far back as the 1950s. Gregory Bateson was the first individual who shed light on it. He said that these ‘hidden’ aspects of talking are part of every conversation. This is what he called the metacommunicative data (or information). It helps the other person absorb and understand the one whom they are listening or talking with.

Covert communication is another term used for metacommunication. This form of communication is visible in body language, facial expression, and tone. It is also evident in the touch and eye contact. Metacommunication can convey what is impossible to communicate through regular communication. Being aware of it leads us to gain a deeper understanding of the interaction.

A key function of metacommunication is the creation of shared meaning and interpretation. This is evident in the dynamics between two people in a relationship. They often develop a set of jokes, including nonverbal signals. Only they can understand these things. It is an indicator of a good relationship. This type of metacommunication, exclusive to the two individuals, establishes a sense of connection. It, in turn, reinforces their bond. This enables them to provide each other with the support needed. Thus, it helps them to navigate complex situations with better understanding. It isn’t easy for a third person to comprehend the dynamics between the two partners. This is because they don’t understand their metacommunication.

Metacommunication is used in diverse settings, such as therapy and social work, among other things. It makes the environment conducive for an honest and open discussion. This is important to achieve optimal outcomes.

Read Also:- What are Examples of Effective Team Dynamics?

What are the Non-Verbal Elements of Metacommunication?

An understanding of non-verbal elements is crucial to interpreting metacommunication. Once you understand them, you can better identify what the other person desires or feels.

1. Body language: It is how a person positions their body. The body language of individuals is different in different settings. For example, crossing arms suggests nervousness or angriness.
2. Movement: It implies how someone moves in a situation. Movement, such as walking quickly or slowly, conveys different emotions. If someone is sitting still in a lecture, it means that they are paying attention to what is being said.
3. Posture: Posture refers to how you stand or sit. It reveals your comfort level with your audience. For example, sitting with slumped shoulders signals a feeling of disappointment or frustration.
4. Gestures: There are various types of gestures. They can be used intentionally or unintentionally to communicate one’s feelings. A thumbs-up gesture is often a sign of enthusiasm about something.
5. Space: How far or near a person stands from you also conveys their comfort level. For example, someone standing farther away from someone they know means they don’t trust the other person well enough. On the other hand, someone standing farther away from someone they have met recently indicates that they respect their boundaries.
6. Paralanguage: Paralanguage is the non-language parts of speech. This includes your pitch, tone, and the speed at which you talk, among other things. Speaking quickly may signal your excitement at something.
7. Facial expressions: Facial expressions refer to conveying thoughts and feelings through the movement of your eyes, mouth, eyebrows, and facial muscles. Raised eyebrows are often equated with feeling surprised. A frowny face indicates your displeasure at something. People also frown when they don’t understand something.
8. Eye contact: Eye contact effectively communicates your interest and attention. Not looking someone in the eye usually indicates that you are not confident. Its opposite shows your confidence.
9. Touch: Touch is a form of communication used among people who trust and know each other. For example, a friend may hug you if they see you after a long time, conveying their affection toward you.

Read Also:- Interpersonal vs Intrapersonal Communication

What is the Significance of Metacommunication?

Metacommunication helps people communicate implicit messages. It enables people to add context to their messages and helps facilitate better mutual understanding. This type of communication is also useful for conflict resolution within groups. It lets other people gauge the tone of the discussion. This enables them to detect hostility or disagreement and take corrective actions so it does not escalate.

The significance of metacommunication is also visible in a therapeutic setting. Often, patients are unable to express themselves through regular communication. But their feelings are evident in their facial expression, eye contact, and posture, among other things. If the mental health professional is aware of metacommunicative elements, it won’t take them long to decode their patient’s feelings.

Similarly, metacommunication is also important in the field of social work. It helps the social worker to provide better support to their clients. They can use hand gestures to indicate openness and sharing, a slight touch on the shoulder to provide reassurance and a warm smile to build a friendly atmosphere.

In the finance sector, metacommunication is used to convey trustworthiness and confidence. Nonverbal cues like maintaining eye contact and nodding during the discussion indicate trust and agreement between the two parties. Leaning forward during a presentation indicates interest, while a handshake at the beginning of the discussion implies professionalism.

In a professional setting, metacommunication plays a critical role for the leaders. It helps them to convey their expectations, needs, and ideas properly. They can thus guide their team members in a better direction.

Read Also:- Paraverbal Communication

Summing Up

Metacommunication is often underestimated when it comes to effective communication. Communication is a complex mechanism. There is a lot more than meets the eye. Metacommunication works beneath the surface to provide the context needed for better communication. By knowing about it, reading it during every communication, and using it yourself, you’ll pave the way for cultivating better relationships.