Understanding Metacommunication

The question asks for the term used to describe the act of communication about communication itself. This concept is fundamental in understanding the layers and complexities involved in human interaction.

Let's examine the provided options:

• Communication narrative: This refers to the story or structure within a piece of communication. It's about the content being conveyed in a narrative form, not about the process of communication itself.
• Metacognition: This term comes from psychology and refers to thinking about one's own thinking processes. While it uses the 'meta-' prefix (meaning 'about' or 'beyond'), it applies to cognition, not communication.
• Metacommunication: This term specifically means communication about communication. It involves signals or messages that indicate how the literal message should be interpreted. It's the underlying message about the message.

Therefore, the correct term for communication about communication is Metacommunication.

What is Metacommunication?

Metacommunication involves all the cues and signals that affect how a message is received and interpreted. These cues can be verbal or nonverbal. They provide context and help clarify the relationship between communicators and the intent behind the message.

• Verbal Metacommunication: Explicit statements about the communication itself. For example, saying "I'm just joking" after making a sarcastic comment, or "Let's talk seriously about this" before discussing an important issue.
• Nonverbal Metacommunication: Cues like tone of voice, facial expressions, body language, and posture that signal the emotional state, attitude, or relationship context of the communication. A smile while delivering potentially bad news might be metacommunication indicating reassurance, or a stern tone might indicate seriousness.

Importance of Metacommunication

Understanding metacommunication is crucial for effective communication because it:

• Clarifies intent: Helps prevent misunderstandings by indicating whether a message is serious, sarcastic, playful, etc.
• Defines relationships: Signals the status or relationship between communicators (e.g., formal vs. informal, superior vs. subordinate).
• Manages interactions: Helps in regulating the flow and nature of a conversation.

In summary, when we communicate about the way we are communicating, or send signals about how our message should be taken, we are engaging in metacommunication. This fits the definition of "communication about communication".

Revision Table: Communication Terms

Additional Information: Layers of Communication

Communication is not just about the literal words exchanged. It includes multiple layers:

• Content Layer: The explicit message being sent (the words themselves).
• Relationship Layer: What the communication implies about the relationship between the people communicating.
• Metacommunication Layer: Signals that frame how the content and relationship layers should be understood.

Effective communicators are often aware of these different layers and use metacommunication signals consciously or unconsciously to enhance clarity and manage the interaction.