Cognitive linguoecology as a methodological approach to the study of destructive communication

Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN University), 6 Miklukho-Maklaya St, Moscow, 117198; Moscow State Linguistic University, 38, Ostozhenka St, Moscow, 119034, Russian Federation

^* Corresponding author: y.a.v@list.ru

Abstract

The article discusses the possibilities of applying the methodology of cognitive ecology to the agenda of destructive communication. Destructive communication is defined as a special type of interaction, which is based on a destructive communicative intention, which is in turn realized in a number of aggressive communicative actions. However, classifying destructive communication as an exclusively emotional type leaves open the question of the place and role of the rational component of destructiveness in communication. The article proves that it is cognitive ecology as a new direction of cognitive research that can offer a holistic and comprehensive approach to the study of destructive communication. As the main research method, the indicated approach includes a holistic analysis of both linguistic structures and social, situational, biological, i.e. non-verbal components, allowing us to understand the mechanisms underlying the destructive, i.e. ecologically irrelevant, communicative behavior. From the perspective of cognitive ecology, Russian-language situations of open and hidden destructive communication are analyzed in various types of discourse. It is concluded that it is necessary to develop a new interdisciplinary scientific direction – cognitive linguoecology, within which language will be considered as a specific tool that ensures the functioning of the entire cognitive system, which will make it possible to understand the mechanisms of ecological behavior of the human being as its subject.