04/12/23

Interpersonal Communication

What is Communication?

Communication can be defined as the

process by which people share ideas, experience, knowledge and feelings through the transmission of symbolic messages.

The means of communication are usually spoken or written words, pictures or symbols. But we also give information through body language, gestures, and looks, facial expressions can show how we feel and what we think about an issue or another person.

Interpersonal Communication (IPC)

Interpersonal communication is humanity’s most important characteristic and its greatest accomplishment. It is humans ability to turn meaningless grunts into spoken and written words, through which they are able to make known their needs, wants, ideas and feelings.

Another Definitions

Interpersonal communication is a person to person, two-way, verbal and non verbal interaction that includes the sharing of information and feelings between individuals or in small groups that establish trusting relationships.

 

Interpersonal Communication is a complex process that can be described in simplified terms by a Sender and a Receiver who exchange messages containing ideas and feelings, mixed together.

Interpersonal communication can be in the form of lecture, role play, group discussion, drama, meetings, counseling.

In addition, visual aids, such as posters, charts, flyers, pamphlets, and audio visual aids such as, video, films, radio, taped messages. These can be used to reinforce IPC.

WHY DO WE NEED INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION?

• We cannot be human alone. • We live in a world filled with other people. • We live together, work together and play together. • We need each other for security, comfort, friendship and love. • We need each other to mature through dialogue. • We need each other to achieve our goals and objectives.

None of these needs could be addressed without interpersonal communication

Elements of Interpersonal Communication

• The Communicators• The Message• Noise• Feedback• Context• Channel

Communication Roadblocks

Understanding Problem Areas where Communication can break down

• The way our minds work • Sender’s behaviours • Receiver’s behaviours

THE WAY OUR MINDS WORK

• Perceptions of the reality We collect information

We collect only a small amount, We collect selectively, We collect in a certain order,

We arrange the information into categories , We form our reality

•Stereotypes and Prejudices

We often find people stereotyped around characteristics of: Age: all teenagers love rock and roll and do not respect the elders Race: all Chinese people look alike Religion: all those belonging to Islam are terrorists Vocation: all lawyers are greedy Nationality: all Roma people are dirty Places: all people living in a certain city are lazy Things: all Swiss watches are perfect

Stereotypes and Prejudices Contd..

• They are more simple that the reality • They are acquired from “cultural mediators” rather than own experience • They are erroneous by their very nature • They are resistant to change when absorbed in childhood, stubbornly

coloring our perceptions and behaviour.

Main Characteristics:

SENDER’S BEHAVIORS

• Different meaning of the words

• Hiding Thoughts and Feelings

• The Sender may be blind to her emotions or blinded by them

RECEIVER’S BEHAVIORS

• Hearing through own filters

• Receivers are easily distracted

• Reactions that block communication

HOW TO OVERCOME ROADBLOCKS

• LISTENING

• READING BODY LANGUAGE

• SPEAKING

LISTENENING

• Basic Acknowledgments

• Attentive Silence

• Questions

• Paraphrasing

• Mirroring feelings

• Reflecting meanings

READING BODY LANGUAGE

• Focus attention on the important clues

• Note discrepancies

• Be aware of your own feelings and bodily reactions

• Reflect the feelings back to the sender

SPEAKING

When sending a message as speakers you should• Know what you mean and express it clearly, with respect and

sensitivity.• Check or build the common understanding of the words you use,

because words can have different meanings for different people, especially if coming from different cultures and educational backgrounds

• Use de-escalatory language, resist the temptation to make personal attacks and accuse, by replacing accusatory “you” statements with less provocative “I” statements.

Knowledge and skills needed for effective interpersonal communication

• Adequate knowledge of subject area

• An understanding of one's own values and willingness to withhold judgment about the other people’s values.

• Skills in verbal and nonverbal communication.

• Ability to show empathy and encourage others.

• Skills in asking questions and listening.

• Tolerance and patience

• Ability to paraphrase and summarize the concerns of individuals and the community.

• Ability to observe and interpret behavior of other people.

• Ability to use language that other people understand.

• Skills to effectively use support materials.

• Confidence • Flexibility

…in the new global and diverse workplace requires

excellent communication skills!

Success for YOU…

Questions