Affect in communication refers to the expression of feelings.
Affective communication is essentially the expression of feelings about things, others and themselves. This means when we communicate affectively, we are sharing our emotional state or reaction regarding a subject, another person, or even our own situation.
The Nature of Affective Expression
The expression of feelings in communication isn't limited to intense emotions. As the reference highlights:
- In effect, expressions of positive, negative or even neutral feelings about something or someone is also an expression of that individual or group's values and beliefs.
This reveals a deeper layer to affective communication. Our feelings, whether they are positive (like joy or approval), negative (like anger or dislike), or even neutral (like indifference), are often rooted in our personal values and underlying beliefs. Communicating these feelings provides insight not just into our current emotional state but also into why we feel that way, connecting back to what we hold important or true.
Practical Examples
Affective communication can manifest in numerous ways, both verbally and nonverbally.
- Verbal Examples:
- Saying "I'm excited about this project!" (Positive feeling linked to enthusiasm/value for the project).
- Remarking "That decision frustrates me." (Negative feeling linked to disagreement with a value or belief).
- Stating "I feel indifferent about the outcome." (Neutral feeling indicating a lack of strong positive or negative value).
- Nonverbal Examples:
- Smiling or nodding to show agreement or happiness.
- Frowning or crossing arms to indicate displeasure or disapproval.
- Maintaining a flat expression to convey neutrality.
Understanding affect in communication is crucial because it adds emotional and personal context to messages, often revealing the speaker's perspective and motivational drivers based on their underlying values and beliefs.
