Understanding Non Discursive Communication

Communication can take many forms. One way to categorize communication is by whether it relies on symbols that have agreed-upon meanings (like words in a language) or if it relies on other means. Discursive communication, for example, typically involves language, following rules of grammar and logic to convey meaning sequentially.

What is Non Discursive Communication?

Non discursive communication refers to communication that does not rely on language or logical, sequential reasoning in the same way that discursive communication does. Instead, it often involves direct presentation or evocation of experience, feelings, or impressions. Examples might include:

• A piece of music that evokes an emotion
• A painting that creates a feeling or impression
• A dance performance that expresses a story or emotion
• Body language or gestures

Unlike spoken or written words, which are symbols representing ideas or objects, these forms of communication directly present or create an experience without breaking it down into discrete linguistic units.

Relating Communication to Learning Domains

In education and psychology, learning is often categorized into different domains based on the type of activity involved. The widely accepted domains include:

• Cognitive Domain: This domain deals with knowledge, understanding, and intellectual skills, such as remembering facts, solving problems, and analyzing information.
• Affective Domain: This domain involves feelings, emotions, attitudes, values, and appreciation. It relates to how we feel about things.
• Psychomotor Domain: This domain concerns physical movement, coordination, and the use of the motor-skill areas. It involves learning and performing physical skills.

Non Discursive Communication and the Psychomotor Domain

While non-discursive communication can certainly involve cognitive processes (understanding art) or affective responses (feeling moved by music), the creation or performance aspects of many forms of non-discursive communication are deeply rooted in physical action and skill. Consider:

• Playing a musical instrument requires significant psychomotor skill.
• Dancing is a direct use of physical movement.
• Painting and sculpting involve fine motor skills.
• Using body language effectively is a physical act.

These activities involve learned physical movements and coordination to express or communicate something that might be difficult or impossible to express purely through words. Therefore, non discursive communication, particularly in its performance or creation aspect, is strongly associated with the development and use of skills within the psychomotor domain.

In summary, because many prominent forms of non discursive communication rely heavily on physical execution, skill, and performance, it is considered a part of the Psychomotor domain.