Interpersonal Communication

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• Chapter 7
• Interpersonal Communication

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The Process of Interpersonal Communication

• Interpersonal communication is an interactional
  process in which one person sends a message to
  another.
• It involves at least two people.
• It is a process involving a series of actions.
• It is not one-way, but bi-directional.

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Why listen?

• We spend about 70 of our waking time
  communicating.
• Important facets of life depend upon
  communication.
• Relationships, family, effectiveness at work
• Early training sometimes doesnt teach us well
• Listening often confused with hearing
• 2 steps to listen
• Hear person-what was said
• Understand person-what was meant

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Components of the Communication Process

• Any communication has the following elements
• The sender person conveying the message.
• The message information conveyed.
• The channel sensory channel used.
• The noise anything that interferes with the
  expression or understanding of the message.
• The context environment in which communication
  takes place.

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How do misunderstandings occur?

• Sender doesnt send correctly
• Receivers interpretation is off
• Emotional social sources of noise
• Too mad, depressed, arrogant, hungry, tired,
  overworked, etc.
• Busy making judgments
• Cant listen due to internal dialogue
• Lack of trust
• flow of info decreases

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Is communicating a natural ability?

• NO!
• Effective communication takes training
  practice.
• Some people have personality traits that make
  communicating more comfortable.

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Is communication always intentional?

• May overhear private conversation.
• May see something that communicates a message to
  us.

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Other principles

• Communication is irreversible. (Cant unring a
  bell!)
• We communicate WITH not TO others. (A we
  activity)
• Communication is unrepeatable. (Cant do it the
  same way twice)
• Just because you say it, does not mean the other
  person will understand. (We must often check
  perceptions)

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Communicators Dirty Dozen

• Withdrawing, distracting, humoring kidding
  person out of their feelings, pushing px aside,
  withdrawing, minimizing feeling
• Reassuring, sympathizing Trying to talk person
  out of the feeling, make feelings go away Dont
  feel like that
• Interpreting, Junior psychologist Telling person
  what their motives are, analyzing why they are
  doing something, giving your diagnosis of the px

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Technology Interpersonal Communication

• Technology has changed the way we communicate
  from a face-to-face context only, to wireless,
  electronic communications.
• Although technology offers convenience, there are
  some disadvantages
• Overlap between work and home.
• Intrusion of private conversations into public
  spaces.
• Absence of non-verbal cues that convey meaning in
  face-to-face interactions.

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Communication and Adjustment

• Communication with others is an essential aspect
  of our lives and has a large impact on
  adjustment.
• Good communication enhances satisfaction in
  relationships.
• Poor communication is a major cause of
  relationships ending.