CJSP 109 Interpersonal Communication : Human Emotions

1.There is an old saying: Man is a social animal. Can a situation be imagined wherein people live together but do not interact and communicate. Being social is the basic urge of human being and it cannot be achieved without communication.

The Human race will undoubtedly come to standstill if Communication ceases (Ramesh & Ramesh, 2010). Besides, Human being communicates for many purposes: Asking for Information, providing information, fulfill needs, persuading other people and for expressing human emotions also.

Infact, the basic objective of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs cannot be achieved without effective communication.

Table 1: How the purpose of Maslow's hierarchy of need achieved by communication

2.Conflict Management is one of the most reliable methods of resolving Conflicts among parties. Moreover, I would illustrate this concept by upsurge in divorce rates in the past few years which I have noticed. There are four responses to conflict.

Exit Response

In Exit response to conflict, an individual ceases relation with other person because conflict is unavoidable. Example-Husband gave divorce to his wife after personality clash.

Neglect Response

This response is synonymous to therapy. Efforts are made to believe that the problem is not as big as it is perceived. So it is advised to parties to refocus on other tasks. For Instance, Husband and wife were in confrontation. Consequently they consulted psychiatric and started living together.

Loyalty Response

In loyalty response, efforts are put in to realise parties that they have to increase their tolerance level. Example: Husband met with an accident and loses his leg. In this situation wife was told that there is no alternative except accepting the truth and compromising with the situation.

Voice Response

In this method, though there is confrontation between 2 parties but both are ready to solve the issue. Example: After separation of husband and wife, they approach their well-wishers to find a solution.

Results indicated that perceived damage, directly and through the mediation of resultant negative emotions, influenced the tendency to opt for harsh tactics. This trend was further affected by the managers’ gender and cognitive closure (Roth & Schwarzwald, 2016).

Put yourself in others shoes and gain insight

The above-mentioned phrase means understanding other person’s point of view. Mindful listening assists in understanding the speakers, his perception, Emotional aspect, IQ and other important components of personality. This helps in promoting interpersonal communication and consequently relationships.

Better Communication

Mindful Listening encourages free flow of information. So there is better exchange of ideas, feelings and other related aspects and finally better communication.

Cordial and Positive Environment

Mindful listening promotes cordial atmosphere and thus promotes communication.

Interrupting unnecessarily

Rather than being a good listener, interrupting again and again in communication is an obstacle to learning.

Eye contact

Not maintaining an eye contact simply means not interested in communicating with others.

In practicing Mindful Communication, we are shedding familiar habits and relationship styles

for new ones (Chapman, 2012).

The topic of perception has recently become far more closely related to the rest of behavior than it used to be (Broadbent, 2013).

 (b). Example of Perceptual Error

I met my friend Zoe on facebook after 10 years. 10 years back he was shy. So I viewed/perceived him shy person. But when I met him face to face he was not that kind of person which I perceived. Now he is extrovert kind of person.

(c). As SSW, I will focus on positive aspects of life. Moreover, I will put bad memories just like a garbage is thrown out of the house.

6.Self-respect plays an important role in interpersonal communication. In a two way communication or other pattern of communication, if the speaker or listener feels that he is not respected, there would be barriers to communication and consequentially communication would stop. I-language promotes assertiveness and constructive criticism in Interpersonal Communication. If an article has been composed by sub-editor in Newspaper,

It is better if Senior Editor comments “I would have to edit your article two times” rather than You don’t possess writing skills”

The concept of I-language was coined by Thomas Gordon in the 1960s.

References:

Broadbent, D.E. (2013). Perception and Communication. Amsterdam: Elsevier.

Chapman, S.G. (2012). The Five keys To Mindful Communication: Using Deep Listening and Mindful Speech to strengthen Relationships, Heal conflict, and Accomplish Your Goal. Boston: Shambhala Publication.

Ramesh, G., & Ramesh M. (2010). The Age of Soft skills: Attitude, Communication & Etiquette for success. India: Pearson Education India.

Roth, R.L., & Schwarzwald, J. (2016). Rationale and emotion in the selection of influence tactics by managers in conflict with subordinates. Leadership &Organisation Development Journal, Vol. 37 No.1, pp.42-70, doi: 10.1108/LODJ-04-2014-0076.