What is Level 3 (Meta-communication)?

Level 3 is when we talk about how we’re talking, it’s like giving instructions for a game you're playing.

Imagine you and your friend are building a tower with blocks. You say, "Put the red block on top." That's normal communication, Level 1. But then your friend says, "Why did you say that so loudly?" Now you’re talking about how you talked, that’s Level 3, or meta-communication.

Like a Secret Code

Sometimes people use meta-communication to send secret messages. For example, if you whisper, "I don’t want anyone else to hear this," you're not just saying something, you're telling them how to listen. It's like using a special tone or a quiet voice to say, "This is important, be careful."

When You Talk About Talking

Meta-communication happens when we talk about the way we’re talking. Like if your friend says, "You always interrupt me!" That’s not just about what you said, it's about how you said it.

It's like having a second conversation while you're already in one! Level 3 is when we talk about how we’re talking, it’s like giving instructions for a game you're playing.

Imagine you and your friend are building a tower with blocks. You say, "Put the red block on top." That's normal communication, Level 1. But then your friend says, "Why did you say that so loudly?" Now you’re talking about how you talked, that’s Level 3, or meta-communication.

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Examples

  1. A kid says, 'I don’t like you,' but their face shows they’re smiling, it’s meta-communication at work.
  2. Your friend says, 'I’m fine,' while rolling their eyes, you know something's off.
  3. You hear your mom say, 'I'm not angry,' but she’s pacing and yelling, that’s a classic example of meta-communication.

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