Interpersonal communication occurs when two (or a few) people talk face to face. Conversations,
dialogues, and small group discussions are interpersonal exchanges. Each person also operates
interpersonally during the exchange. Thus, an exchange with just two people involves at least three
communication elements – the unique thinking done by each person and the overriding process created by the interpersonal exchange.
For example, imagine that you accidentally met your friend after a long time. You had a brief chat with
him. But you think of meeting him again next evening. Your friend at the same time too thinks of having
another meeting with you, in the afternoon, as he is leaving by the evening flight. After some discussion
you agree to meet at the breakfast time as you have a busy schedule the whole afternoon. Behavior and Interpersonal Communication In its simplest form, interpersonal relations are the interactions between two or more persons. We keep coming in contact with other people for personal, professional, social or business reasons. Whatever the context, there is an interaction between personalities in all these situations. Our perception about each other is based on the displayed behavior. The environment in which personal interaction takes place is largely determined by the behavior of the parties involved. All behaviors are motivated. The motives however, may be known or unknown, clear or unclear,controlled or uncontrolled. The net result is the variety in behaviors. Behaviors determine the quality of interpersonal relationships by directly influencing every transaction in interaction. In the organizational context, interpersonal relations become extremely important for smooth functioning of the system, greater
coherence, and convergence of effort and minimization of conflict. To communicate well, we need to know our frames of reference and ourselves and to be able to assess other people. Only then can we hope to find the best ways in which to communicate effectively with them, both to pass information and build relationships. Some of the reasons we do not assess other people well are given below:
• We assume that people would behave the same way in every situation.
• We try too hard to put everyone into consistent categories.
• We are too influenced by first impressions.
• We are positively influenced where we have common characteristics with other people, e.g. same school, same function.
• We are too influenced by apparent negative points, e.g. if someone is not very good at short-term decision making, we might assume that he/she is not going to be good at long-term planning either.
• We make constant errors because of our own limited frames of reference and self-concept.
dialogues, and small group discussions are interpersonal exchanges. Each person also operates
interpersonally during the exchange. Thus, an exchange with just two people involves at least three
communication elements – the unique thinking done by each person and the overriding process created by the interpersonal exchange.
For example, imagine that you accidentally met your friend after a long time. You had a brief chat with
him. But you think of meeting him again next evening. Your friend at the same time too thinks of having
another meeting with you, in the afternoon, as he is leaving by the evening flight. After some discussion
you agree to meet at the breakfast time as you have a busy schedule the whole afternoon. Behavior and Interpersonal Communication In its simplest form, interpersonal relations are the interactions between two or more persons. We keep coming in contact with other people for personal, professional, social or business reasons. Whatever the context, there is an interaction between personalities in all these situations. Our perception about each other is based on the displayed behavior. The environment in which personal interaction takes place is largely determined by the behavior of the parties involved. All behaviors are motivated. The motives however, may be known or unknown, clear or unclear,controlled or uncontrolled. The net result is the variety in behaviors. Behaviors determine the quality of interpersonal relationships by directly influencing every transaction in interaction. In the organizational context, interpersonal relations become extremely important for smooth functioning of the system, greater
coherence, and convergence of effort and minimization of conflict. To communicate well, we need to know our frames of reference and ourselves and to be able to assess other people. Only then can we hope to find the best ways in which to communicate effectively with them, both to pass information and build relationships. Some of the reasons we do not assess other people well are given below:
• We assume that people would behave the same way in every situation.
• We try too hard to put everyone into consistent categories.
• We are too influenced by first impressions.
• We are positively influenced where we have common characteristics with other people, e.g. same school, same function.
• We are too influenced by apparent negative points, e.g. if someone is not very good at short-term decision making, we might assume that he/she is not going to be good at long-term planning either.
• We make constant errors because of our own limited frames of reference and self-concept.
Interpersonal Needs
Finally, we engage in interpersonal communication because we need to express and receive interpersonal
needs. The three identified needs are:
1. Inclusion: the need to establish identity with others.
2. Control: the need to exercise leadership and prove one's abilities. Groups provide outlets for this
need. Some individuals do not want to be a leader. For them, groups provide the necessary control over aspects of their lives.
3. Affection: the need to develop relationships with people. Groups are an excellent way to make
friends and establish relationships.
Finally, we engage in interpersonal communication because we need to express and receive interpersonal
needs. The three identified needs are:
1. Inclusion: the need to establish identity with others.
2. Control: the need to exercise leadership and prove one's abilities. Groups provide outlets for this
need. Some individuals do not want to be a leader. For them, groups provide the necessary control over aspects of their lives.
3. Affection: the need to develop relationships with people. Groups are an excellent way to make
friends and establish relationships.
No comments:
Post a Comment