Image Description
Friedemann Schulz von Thun (1944) is a German psychologist, communication theorist, and professor emeritus at the University of Hamburg, widely regarded as one of the most influential scholars in the field of communication in the German-speaking world. After studying psychology in Hamburg, he initially worked as a psychotherapist and trainer in communication and personal development. In 1976, he began teaching and conducting research at the University of Hamburg, where he remained for many years. Schulz von Thun became best known for his “Four-Sides Model” (also called the “Communication Square”), which describes how every message contains four aspects: a factual message, a self-revealing message, a relational message, and an appeal. This model, along with his concepts of the “Inner Team” and the “Vicious Circle Model,” forms the foundation of his comprehensive theory of communication psychology, which has practical applications in education, counseling, leadership, and conflict resolution. With his book series “Talking with One Another” (“Miteinander reden”*), published since the 1980s, Schulz von Thun reached a wide audience and made complex psychological concepts accessible to everyday life. He later founded the Schulz von Thun Institute for Communication in Hamburg, which continues his work. His contributions continue to shape the way people approach communication in education, professional contexts, and personal development.
Why am I drawing Friedemann Schulz von Thun? As an LER teacher at school, I teach the subject of communication. And in this context, Schulz von Thun and his four-ears model (also known as the communication square) are indispensable.
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