Interpersonal Communication Skills - Term Paper Example

Interpersonal Communication Introduction Interpersonal communication is defined as a communication between two people who are dependent on each other. This type of interpersonal communication involves one to one conversation or the other way involves interaction of individuals with various people within a society. The concept of interpersonal communication is helpful in understanding the way people behave and communicate and why do they behave and communicate in different ways for constructing and negotiating a dialogue (Reece, 2010). Interpersonal communication is a process that involves sending and receiving of message between two or more individuals. An understanding of interpersonal relationships is an essential element in developing good interpersonal relationships. Individuals indulge in different levels of interpersonal relationship that depends upon the person with whom they indulge into interaction. This interpersonal communication can be done both with the use of direct and indirect mediums like face to face interaction, or computer mediated interaction. For ensuring a successful interpersonal interaction, it is important the sender and receiver of the message interpret and understand the message with an adequate level of meaning and its implications. Although interpersonal communication provides communication between two or more people, it also plays an important role in maintaining the communication between two people who are in a relationship and it is said to be the basis of every interpersonal relationship. Principles of effective Interpersonal communication There are various principles that define the ways in which interpersonal communication is conducted effectively. One of the principles implies that interpersonal communication is inescapable. It says that even if two people do not want to communicate, this attempt of not communicating generates communication is established between them (Deams, 2007). Another principle says that interpersonal communication is irreversible, as whatever has been said cannot be taken back. It is said in a Russian proverb that once a word goes out of the mouth, you can never swallow it again. Another principle says that interpersonal communication is complicated as there is no form of communication that is simple. There are number of variables that are involved in establishing an effective interpersonal communication. It has been observed by the theorists that whenever communication is initiated there are six people who are involved: the person who initiates the communication, the person who is the receiver of the information, the thinking of the receiver, the thinking of the sender, and the thinking of the receiver about what the sender thinks about the receiver. Another important principle of interpersonal communication implies that interpersonal communication is contextual. When two people get indulged into communication, there are various contexts that are involved. These are psychological context, relational context situational context, environmental context, and finally cultural context. The psychological context defines who a person is and what he intends to interact about. It reveals the needs, desires, values and personality of the person. The relational context provides an insight into the reactions of one person towards what is said by the other person. The situational context defines the place and situation where interpersonal interaction is initiated. Cultural context involves the use of learned behaviours and rules that affect the interaction between two people. Therefore, people should avoid jumping to conclusions and should not make premature judgements, and agreements. Rather, they should try to identify the reasons behind the statements given by other person with whom interpersonal interaction has been initiated. Hence, both the people involved in the interaction should try to understand the point of view of each other and deal with the interaction in a consistent manner. Emotional intelligence and its role in effective interpersonal relationships Emotional intelligence is the ability of the individual to have the ability to identify, analyse and control the emotions of the group of people in an adequate and effective manner. Emotional intelligence includes interpersonal awareness, and empathy thereby ensuring successful interpersonal relationships. In this manner, emotional intelligence plays an important role in enhancing the thinking, understanding the emotions and controlling them for the accomplishment of personal growth and development (Dwyer, 2000). It helps two people who are in a relationship in the times of their dispute and help them in mending their issues. When two people have solid and effective emotional bounding they lead through relationships that are long lasting. These skills are beneficial for the people to have patience and understanding while dealing with the difficulties of relationships that have an influence on the success of that relationship. People who have a good level of emotional intelligence have a natural ability of removing their emotions from an interpersonal situation. When these people are engaged in a communication, they see processes and information more than emotions. It is the emotional control of the people that facilitates the development of effective interpersonal relationships. With the help of emotional intelligence, an effective understanding about personal motivations, feelings and needs that facilitate understanding about how to initiate an effective interpersonal communication with the partner. An appropriate level of emotional intelligence helps in bringing positive outcomes to a relationship by managing the problems and issues that arise in the interpersonal communication. This enhances the ability of the person to read and analyse others and modify the arguments and feelings of the person. People who are high in the level of emotional intelligence are able to work at all the levels of emotional control in an effective manner. An important example in this case can be of two people who are in love with each other. Therefore, emotional intelligence plays an important role in understanding and analysing the difference between destroying and building an effective communication. It provides the person with the ability for transforming the situations of conflict into an opportunistic and positive one. Levels of self disclosure in Effective Relationships Self disclosure is the act of revealing about oneself to others in a conscious or subconscious manner. This includes revealing of thoughts, aspirations, feelings, goals, likes, dislikes and favourites of a person to another. Self disclosure relates to the sharing of information for making the partner to understand the other person in a better way. Self disclosure tends to occur when two people meet and a relationship is developed between them. As they start knowing each other they reveal certain information about themselves. The appropriate level of self disclosure helps the two partners to see things from different perspectives, which makes them observe and analyse the options that they did not pay attention to in order to take important decisions. As defined by Powell, Preamble is defined as the first and standard stage of self disclosure of the most shallow and weak relationships. There is a certain level of openness between the partners. The next stage implies talking about the other person who has disclosed the interaction about himself. At this level of interaction the content of communication is more deep and intense but there is still a gap in their expression about themselves. At the third level the expression of ideas and opinions start developing, thereby forming a close relationship. Partners start revealing about themselves to the other person. The next step of self disclosure is known as relationship summit as the level of self disclosure has taken a deep level in which the individuals start appreciating the feelings that are expressed by the other person. This forms the base if an honest and true relationship. Self disclosure acts as a building block for the purpose of developing intimacy in the interpersonal relationships. It is reciprocal in nature and works in an appropriate manner. Self disclosure between the partners takes place at an early phase of the development of relationship and the more intimate level of self disclosure occurs at a later stage of the relationship. Women and men involve in different levels of self disclosure in their relationship. Self disclosure is more intimate when the disclosure takes place in the present and it’s the least when sharing of the personal information takes place in the past. Women disclose themselves in a controlled manner. Males disclose themselves in heterosexual relationships and women have more focus on intimate communication with people of same sex. Self disclosure is affected by various factors and the most important of then is the state of relationship. Self disclosure provides transparency in the relationship by facilitating effective communication. This level of self disclosure enhances and develops with the ongoing relationship. This disclosure increases in level as there is an increase in the intimacy of their relation. The level of disclosure also improves for the purpose of reducing the level of uncertainty in the relationship. Self disclosure is an incremental and symmetrical process. An example in this case may be that liking relates to positive disclosure. The level of satisfaction and the level of disclosure in a relationship have a curvilinear relationship that says if the level of satisfaction is highest the levels of disclosure is moderate. Barriers to Effective Interpersonal Interactions There are various types of barriers that are faced in developing an effective interpersonal communication. They are physical barriers, emotional barriers, and cultural and language barriers. Along with these barriers, there are other barriers that are faced in establishing an appropriate interpersonal interaction between two or more people (Wainwright, 2013). One of the barriers that create an obstacle for developing effective interpersonal relationship is the negative emotions that people that people have from their previous experiences. This would result in overreaction from the person and the other partner could not understand that reaction. Another important barrier is the low self esteem of the person that makes the person incapable in sharing their personal thoughts and expressing their ideas. This leads to portrayal of a different idea than the intended idea of the person. Another major obstacle is the lack of commitment that plays a huge role in interpersonal relationships as it hampers the communication process between the partners. Along with this, there are psychological barriers that lead to shyness and embarrassment within a person for communicating effectively with the other person. This tends to be the stereotyped view of the person that creates prejudice for the other person, which becomes the barrier. Strategies for Managing Interpersonal Conflicts There are various strategies that are used for handling the issues that arise in handling interpersonal conflict between people. These strategies provide an effective conflict management policy that provides an appropriate solution to the interpersonal problem. There are various strategies that should be undertaken for the purpose of managing conflicts in the interpersonal relations (Boulden). Both the partners should discuss the situation for the purpose of clarifying the issues between them. They should discuss about the issue face to face as face to face communication is an effective way for discussing the information with each other. It gives an opportunity to the partners to observe and analyse important cues from the other person. If the situations of conflict become unmanageable then the partners should apologise to each other for any inappropriate situation for mending their relationships. Both the partners should manage their emotions while handling a conflicting issue that is creating problems in their relationship. Conclusion Interpersonal communication is an indispensable part of the interaction that takes place between two or more individuals. There are various strategies and policies that enable effective handling and management of interpersonal interactions. Interpersonal relationships should be handled in an effective and appropriate manner. There should be appropriate communication and expression of ideas between the partners in order to develop a transparent relationship with each other. They should work towards managing the barriers and obstacles that arise in expressing themselves in the relationship. Both the partners should work in cooperation with each other for handling the problems and issues and maintain appropriate level of emotional intelligence while dealing with the problems. They should disclose about their feelings at an adequate level for developing intimacy within the relationship. Therefore, it is really important to make sure that both the partners share the same level of understanding and willingness to carry the relationship in an effective manner and develop the right level of intimacy and self disclosure between them. References Boulden, G.P. Managing Difficult Relationships. George Boulden. Deams, P.R. (2007). Emotional Intelligence, Relationship Attachment, and Family Dynamics Amongst African Americans. ProQuest. Dwyer, D. (2000). Interpersonal Relationships. Routledge. Reece, B. L. (2010). Effective Human Relations: Interpersonal and Organizational Applications. Cengage Learning. Wainwright, N. (2013). Barriers to Effective Interpersonal Communication. Retrieved Februray, 08, 2012, from http://www.ehow.com/list_7422303_barriers-effective-interpersonal-communication.html Read More