metacommunication

Metacommunication refers to messages about the communication itself that accompany a message, signaling how its content should be interpreted, what the sender thinks about the relationship, and what the overall intent is. It includes verbal and nonverbal cues such as tone of voice, pace, volume, facial expressions, gestures, timing, and the surrounding context.

The concept is central to the interactional approach to communication and was popularized by Paul Watzlawick, Janet Beavin Bavelas, and Don Jackson in The Pragmatics of Human Communication (1967). In their framework, messages have two levels: the content level and the relationship level. Metacommunication operates on the relationship level, conveying information about the nature of the relationship and how the content should be understood.

In practice, metacommunication can clarify meaning or complicate it if signals contradict the stated content. Examples include a stated assertion delivered with a hostile tone, a joke that implies sarcasm, or a pause that signals a preference for silence. In families, teams, and organizations, metacommunication helps set norms, establish power dynamics, and express expectations. In therapy or mediation, examining metacommunication can reveal patterns that sustain conflict or misunderstanding.

Because metacommunication relies on multiple channels, it can be misread across cultures or contexts and may shift with changes in relationship or setting. Being aware of metacommunication can enhance communication by aligning the intended relationship signals with the literal content.