Dynamism of Relational Communication - Report Example

Relationship Advice Article Relationship Advice Article Relational communication forms part of interpersonal communication that concentrates on messages exchanged in intimate or possibly close associations like those involving good friends, sexual partners, and members of the family. Many people have found themselves in relationship issues that have a strong link to matters of relational communication. This type of communication involves interactions with an aspect of time and has several concepts and principles that guide its dynamics in the process of developing close ties in relationships. This article highlights relational communication concepts and guidelines that may help individuals to have satisfying relationships. Ongoing communication facilitates relationships Relationships arise from the process of recurring contact between persons (Wilmot, 1995). According to other researchers, relationships begin, grow, and dissolve in the exchanges between partners (Stafford & Merolla, 2007). The interactions or contacts found in a relationship can characterize the type of relationship that exists between individuals.People need to recognize that communication is the basis of any relationship and they should strive to maintain communication for better relationships. One needs to ensure that he/she has a recurrent contact with others in order to develop strong ties (Wilmot, 1995). Researchers emphasize on the significance of exchange of messages for relationships to begin, grow, and dissolve (Stafford & Merolla, 2007). A partner should convey messages and assure the other partner throughout their interaction in order to maintain a sense of life in the relationship. One has to identify the points of interest for communication with the other party and explore these areas fully for constant engagement. Wilmot makes relational communications clear in terms of nurturing relationships: relational demarcations arise from repetitive sporadic enactments (Guerrero, Andersen & Afifi, 2007). People should always be eager to find out something new about their partners and friends for communication and the relationship to flourish (Stafford & Merolla, 2007). However, stable relationships may develop crucial decisive moments like declaration of love, marriage proposal, or arguments that can have an influence on the progress of the relationship. Before engaging in these crucial moments, one needs to assess the potential impact of such communication to the relationship. Upon consideration, there needs to be proper conveyance of the message to minimize adverse implications and maximize on the benefits. It is essential for individuals to ensure there is constant flow of messages for the sustainability of relationships. Relationships contextualize messages Some people raise issues about the failure of their partners to understand them or their failure to understand their partners. Messages present diverse meanings in depending on the type of relationships. For instance, a partner’s frown presents a separate meaning from a stranger’s frown. A physical contact/touch from a parent offers a different understanding from a physical contact/touch from a date. In order to understand another person, it is imperative for one to define the nature of relationship he/she has with the other person. The way in which persons are related helps in modification of message conveyance and influences their understanding of those messages. An individual should convey the message in the right form and in the right context for a friend/partner to understand him/her. Human action requires a good understanding of context in order to demystify the intention and the message that results from the action. People should then strive to define their relations and communicate in the right context for understanding in relationships. Fundamental relational themes Individuals communicate to each other concerning their relationship through different messages. Previous studies indicate the presence of several kinds of relational messages the individuals convey concerning their relationships. When a person shows significant control in the relation either orally or through action, the person relays the message of dominance in the relationship. As a strategy to enhance relationships, people should apply a considerable level of intimacy where possible. People who create similarities with the people they have relationship with are likely to have stronger ties. Similarities in dressing, opinion, and other aspects tend to hold people together. One needs to identify the level of openness he/she has with the other person. Some restriction in terms of interaction because of rules and regulations may be necessary especially in the workplace situations. These restrictions are essential in the creation of a distinction between formal and informal interaction. For instance, a senior manager needs to maintain formality in interaction with his juniors although he/she may be less formal in communicating with his/her colleagues (Owen, 1984). It is important for people to maintain confidence and self-composure in relationships. Confidence may manifest itself in eye contact and audibility, which help a person to build trust in a relationship (Owen, 1984). Effective communication in relationships requires individuals to apply a level of emotional arousal that is appropriate. A person needs to use verbal or non-verbal tips to make his/her partner/friend emotionally attracted to him/her depending on the type of relationship they share (Burgoon & Hale, 1987). Message themes play a crucial role in close relationships. However, relational messages should have insignificant variations in role relationships because people are bound to comply with established rules and regulations. In work relationships, the senior managers should maintain a prescribed level of closeness and formality in their conveyance of messages to the junior employees. The degree to which persons in relationships convey the relational messages is essential in the sustainability of the relationship. People have to disseminate the relational messages properly since these messages create an impression about the relationships and the parties involved. Dynamism of relational communication Coping with change in relationships may prove to be a challenge. People need to realize that relationships vary in their form and stability over time. Similarly, relational communication shows variations in its characteristics over time. People who are in relationships should be ready to learn the techniques of adapting to each other and effectively pass messages to the other persons in a relationship (Stafford & Merolla, 2007). Relationships face changes and people may have changing attitudes and behaviors. Individuals need to modify relational communication to suit the emerging needs of relationships and the needs of other parties. For instance, a parent should develop minimal levels of authoritarian interactions and communications with his/her child as the child matures (Guerrero, Andersen & Afifi, 2007). The dynamic characteristic of relational communication depicts itself clearly in the long –distance relationships. People create a sense of idealization in these distant relationships since there is limited personal contact. However, proximal relationships in terms of distance may sometimes face communication challenges that may cause termination of relationships (Stafford & Merolla, 2007). Whether close or distant relationship, one needs to be ready for changes and adaptation to them to sustain the relationship. The concept of stability is not absolute in relationships; people have to maintain communication to overcome the changes. Linear and non-linear patterns A challenge that many people face in relationships is how to make their relationships grow. Some researchers assert that the nature of communication and growth of relationships usually follows a linear path (Thastum, Johansen, Gubba, Olesen & Romer, 2008). The linearity implies that the relational communication has a rising domination of self-exposure and affection as intimacy and closeness increases. People need to understand themselves and their partners/friends for them to know if this is the right track for the growth of the relationship. For instance, one needs to avoid too much disclosure if the partner/friend is interested in trust. The linearity of relationships also implies that the level of communication declines with time as the relationship gets to the termination point. One needs to identify the telltale signs of a declining relationship and use communication to try to revive the relationship. However, other researchers present a different perspective of linearity in relationships. They propose a varying nature of relationship trends and progress that involves both linear and non-linear patterns (Thastum, Johansen, Gubba, Olesen & Romer, 2008). For instance, romantic partners may develop a higher level of affection towards each other after a fight. In most of the cases, relationships present both characteristics of linearity (Thastum, Johansen, Gubba, Olesen & Romer, 2008). A person needs to identify the kind of relationship he/she has and strive to maintain the relationship based on observation of the consequences of events. Partners may appear to be in a state of declining relationship, but the occurrence of a certain event may rejuvenates the relationship to a completely new level. People need to ensure these events happen to salvage their relationships. In conclusion, relational communication provides a critical analysis in the dynamics and course of relationships. People ought to put a keen consideration into the elements of relational communication for the sustainability of their relationships. One should understand the other person’s preferences and correctly apply relational communication principles in meeting those preferences for their relationship to blossom. There is a need for the realization that relationships result from regular and meaningful interactions with other people. It is evident that frequent and engaging communication is vital for the development and sustainability of relationships that are not only satisfying to the parties involved, but also inspiring to other people. References Burgoon, J., & Hale, J. (1987). Validation and measurement of the fundamental themes of relational communication. Communications Monographs, 54(1), 19--41. Guerrero, L. K., Andersen, P. A., & Afifi, W. A. (2011). Close encounters: Communication in relationships. Thousand Oaks, Calif: SAGE. Owen, W. (1984). Interpretive themes in relational communication. Quarterly Journal Of Speech,70(3), 274--287. Stafford, L., & Merolla, A. (2007). Idealization, reunions, and stability in long-distance dating relationships. Journal Of Social And Personal Relationships, 24(1), 37-54. doi:10.1177/0265407507072578 Thastum, M., Johansen, M., Gubba, L., Olesen, L., & Romer, G. (2008). Coping, social relations, and communication: a qualitative exploratory study of children of parents with cancer. Clinical Child Psychology And Psychiatry, 13(1), 123--138. Read More