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Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal communication is the process of exchanging verbal and non-verbal messages through face-to-face interaction. It involves more than just the words exchanged, as tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language can provide additional meaning. Communication requires at least two people sending and receiving messages simultaneously in an interactive process, with the potential for noise to distort the intended message. Feedback allows the sender to evaluate how well the message was received and to adjust accordingly. The context and communication channel also impact the exchange.

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78 views3 pages

Interpersonal Skills

Interpersonal communication is the process of exchanging verbal and non-verbal messages through face-to-face interaction. It involves more than just the words exchanged, as tone of voice, facial expressions, and body language can provide additional meaning. Communication requires at least two people sending and receiving messages simultaneously in an interactive process, with the potential for noise to distort the intended message. Feedback allows the sender to evaluate how well the message was received and to adjust accordingly. The context and communication channel also impact the exchange.

Uploaded by

Fyness Chiwanda
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What is Interpersonal Communication?

Interpersonal communication is the process by which people exchange information, feelings, and
meaning through verbal and non-verbal messages: it is face-to-face communication.

Interpersonal communication is not just about what is actually said - the language used - but how it
is said and the non-verbal messages sent through tone of voice, facial expressions, gestures and body
language. Verbal Communication and Non-Verbal Communication

When two or more people are in the same place and are aware of each other's presence,
then communication is taking place, no matter how subtle or unintentional.

Without speech, an observer may be using cues of posture, facial expression, and dress to
form an impression of the other's role, emotional state, personality and/or intentions.
Although no communication may be intended, people receive messages through such
forms of non-verbal behaviour.

Elements of Interpersonal Communication

Much research has been done to try to break down interpersonal communication into a
number of elements in order that it can be more easily understood. Commonly these
elements include:

The Communicators

For any communication to occur there must be at least two people involved. It is easy to
think about communication involving a sender and a receiver of a message. However, the
problem with this way of seeing a relationship is that it presents communication as a one-
way process where one person sends the message and the other receives it. While one
person is talking and another is listening, for example.

In fact communications are almost always complex, two-way processes, with people sending
and receiving messages to and from each other simultaneously. In other words, communication
is an interactive process. While one person is talking the other is listening - but while listening
they are also sending feedback in the form of smiles, head nods etc.
The Message

Message not only means the speech used or information conveyed, but also the non-verbal
messages exchanged such as facial expressions, tone of voice, gestures and body language.
Non-verbal behaviour can convey additional information about the spoken message. In
particular, it can reveal more about emotional attitudes which may underlie the content of
speech.

Noise

Noise has a special meaning in communication theory. It refers to anything that distorts the
message, so that what is received is different from what is intended by the speaker. Whilst
physical 'noise' (for example, background sounds or a low-flying jet plane) can interfere with
communication, other factors are considered to be ‘noise’. The use of complicated
jargon,inappropriate body language, inattention, disinterest, and cultural differences can
be considered 'noise' in the context of interpersonal communication. In other words, any
distortions or inconsistencies that occur during an attempt to communicate can be seen as noise.

Feedback

Feedback consists of messages the receiver returns, which allows the sender to know how
accurately the message has been received, as well as the receiver's reaction. The receiver may
also respond to the unintentional message as well as the intentional message. Types of feedback
range from direct verbal statements, for example "Say that again, I don't understand", to subtle
facial expressions or changes in posture that might indicate to the sender that the receiver feels
uncomfortable with the message. Feedback allows the sender to regulate, adapt or repeat the
message in order to improve communication.

Context

All communication is influenced by the context in which it takes place. However, apart from
looking at the situational context of where the interaction takes place, for example in a room,
office, or perhaps outdoors, the social context also needs to be considered, for example the
roles, responsibilities and relative status of the participants. The emotional climate and
participants' expectations of the interaction will also affect the communication.
Channel

The channel refers to the physical means by which the message is transferred from one person
to another. In face-to-face context the channels which are used are speech and vision, however
during a telephone conversation the channel is limited to speech alone.

Uses of Interpersonal Communication

Most of us engage in some form of interpersonal communication on a regular basis, how


well we communicate with others is a measure of our interpersonal skills. Interpersonal
communication is a key life skill and can be used to:

• Give and collect information.

• Influence the attitudes and behaviour of others.

• Form contacts and maintain relationships.

• Make sense of the world and our experiences in it.

• Express personal needs and understand the needs of others.

• Give and receive emotional support.

• Make decisions and solve problems.

• Anticipate and predict behaviour.

• Regulate power.

If you don’t understand something don’t hesitate to contact me on 0888 767 730/ fychiwanda@gmail.com

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