Communicative States in Different Communication Situations (Using the Example of Defectology and Psychology Students)

This study addresses the limited exploration of communicative states both generally and in specific interactional contexts. The purpose of the study is to investigate communicative states in various communication situations. The objectives of the study are to identify typical mental states that accompany and arise in various communication situations; to consider their dynamics; to determine their nomenclature. A novel questionnaire was administered to 149 participants aged 20–25, eliciting mental state reports for specific communicative scenarios. The dynamics of these states were analyzed from the beginning to the end of the communicative process. Frequency and content analyses identified the most frequently reported states for each situation. The research provides an initial examination of mental states determined by diverse communication situations and accompanying the communication process. Results indicated that communicative states differ in modality and intensity, contingent upon the specifics of the situation. Stressful and demanding situations requiring heightened engagement elicited a broader range of these states. Furthermore, the dynamics of communicative states were influenced by the communication format. In complex situations, the modality shifted from negative to positive midway through and at the conclusion of the interaction, with a concurrent decrease in intensity. These findings lay a foundation for further research into communicative states, potentially leading to the identification of a new, independent class of mental states – “states of communication,” which constitutes the study’s novelty. The findings have practical applications in educational program development, career guidance, and the cultivation of professional competencies.