Essay On Critical Analysis Of A Chapter On Interpersonal Communication

Part 1

In the analysis of a chapter on interpersonal communication, I shall take the other’s competencies aspect in the discussion of this topic and chapter 1 and 2 of Aitken and Aitken (2002). According to Altman & Taylor (1973), interpersonal communication involves the transfer of information from one source to another called the destination. It involves interaction between two or more people with an aim of achieving a specific objective basing on the purpose for which the information is designed to achieve. In this, there is a message that should be sent and a receiver has to be there. Its importance according to Katz and Lazars Feld (1995) is a mediator of mass mediator influences. The interpersonal communication method is commonly used in the society by people of different classes.
Interpersonal communication bases on four principles. These principles are very important as far as communication is concerned. Some of these principles include;

Interpersonal communication is inescapable.

According to Aitken chapter one, it is not possible for one to say there are some moment's one does not speak. It becomes a lie when one says so. Communication is not only done through words of mouth but a tone of voice through which one speaks meaning we frequently speak to people surrounding us. In this principle, gesture, posture and facial expression are among the things that contribute to communication. In all one has to that even when one is sleeping, one communicates (Altman & Taylor).
Interpersonal communication is not reversible meaning it is not possible for one to take back a word once it has been spoken. The marks of communication automatically remain once a word has been spitting out. From a Russian proverb that says “once a word has been spoken, it cannot be swallowed again,“ a clear explanation of this principle of communication is figured out.
Another basic principle of interpersonal communication is that it is communicated, even the simplest word one can ever think. According to theories, whenever we speak, six people are involved in our communication. Namely; who one thinks he/she is, who one thinks the other person is, who one thinks the other person thinks one is, who the other person thinks he or she is, who the other person thinks one is, who the other thinks one thinks he /she is meaning we don’t just have to replace concepts. For this matter one has to know that words don’t have specific meanings; it is according to the way one has understood at that specific time.
Interpersonal communication is based on view meaning it is contextual, it does not just occur by coincidence. Under this principles context under which communication is based are, psychological context meaning who one is and what he or she exhibits in her discussion with others. One’s necessity requires values and a personal character of individuals. Relational context involves how one responds to another person’s speech. From the social context, it involves the location in which one is speaking from. For example, communication in a classroom is far much in contrast with one that takes place in a drinking joint (bar). Another important context under this principle of communication is an environmental context that is responsible for visibility of where one is communication. It puts into consideration noise levels, temperature, furniture, location and seasons as well as time of the day. Cultural context is yet another part of this communication principle; ones’ background affects the way one interacts or communicates in a society. From certain cultures, it is not polite to look straight to an adults’ eyes while speaking. However, if the contrary is true for another culture, then not looking straight into a person’s eyes means a sign of untrustworthiness hence a ground for misunderstanding ones personality (Altman & Taylor)

Theories and concepts

There are several concepts explored when dealing with the basics of interpersonal communication. In chapter 1 of this book, the concepts are discussed as below;
One concept is that communication takes place within a system. In an interactive connection with others, a style of communication is set. For instance, in homes there exist a process of communication in the exchange of information; the person who speaks to who and who is concerned with the communication process. There should exist one who has authority to praise of punish. Every member has a role to play in the communication process within the family.
Messages cannot be erased for example in an interaction with an elderly person; a child abuses him or her by mistake. The consequence of this hurts the elderly person, and hence the child regarded as being indiscipline.
Another concept of interpersonal communication is that people cannot have the same understanding and feelings as others meaning as one interact with another person. There exist a possibility of perceiving a message differently depending on one’s traditional beliefs and language spoken. People need to be given credit than being unaccredited meaning praise is desired more than condemnation. According to Ethnographic theory of needs, desire, and praise to be affirmed. In other words, if one does not receive the desired popularity, one needs to be appreciated and recognized. This concept of interpersonal communication gives more emphasis to pleasure as compared to other concepts (Altman & Taylor).
One has to practice curiosity not curiosity. In reaction to certain things out of feelings one has at that time, one breaks the bond of communication that is if the reaction was done in anger (Altman & Taylor 17).

Interpersonal communication works on a number of ideas and theories of which are discussed below;

Social Penetration Theory explains that development is an interactive process that involves relationships. Relational closeness develops from an ordinary level to a close relation. Intimacy progresses through transparency. However, the level of transparency from one person to another differs depending on the following points of arguments, costs, gain, and level of satisfaction, peace, and safety. In this self-disclosure is involved. One helps another person understand him or her fully through self-disclosure. It works best when one reveals his or her present than one reveals his past, and it is characterized by the following; a person revealing him/herself. It involves feedback depending on the level of disclosure of the person revealing him or herself; it may not show true information about the person being revealed (Dindia& Allen 107).
Another important theory of interpersonal communication states “the beginning of relationships are fraught with uncertainties”, said Berger. It explains that human beings would like to reduce the level of uncertainties by revealing who they are and making others have a deeper knowledge about them. There are three profound ways through which we study others. These are; passive strategy’ that involves keeping an eye on a person in a scenario where another person is going to be personally-observing. This is called a communicative search. Active strategy that means another person is asked about the person we are interested in or put up a trap in which we can monitor the person closely. For example being in the same class with the person or even sitting far from the dinner table on which the person of interest is.
Interactive strategy is yet another way through which people disclose themselves or their true identity. In this one communicates straight with the person of interest.
Relational Dialectics Theory explains that tension between relation and division in sharing information is examined through this theory. According to theorists, transparency, can interfere with one’s privacy or personal life and that the need to reveal all information about ones’ self with a desire to discourage privacy. This is according to Oregon State University.

Part 2

Related Literature
According to (Whit church and Webb, 1995). Communication in families was not a clear area of research until now. Two decades ago, communication researchers put an interest to closely study families and mode of sharing information in such families. Scholars have put family communication as a unique and very vital part of the study of communication. In the period 1990s, scholars found out that families have iconic attributes that have never been made contrasting with any other form of interpersonal communication. Due to this therefore family mode of sharing information should vary from any other type of interpersonal communication (Huang 230).
According to (Evangelista, 1993) however, connections in the family are not done out of free will, and it is hard to understand and exhaust it all. Family meetings occur over a long period of times and can easily be affected by hard to understand histories and feelings. For this matter, it is very vital to study family communication because it serves as the core of interpersonal communication. The way in which parents share information with their children, reveal them, and how they act to the neighbors affect the way we interact when we become adults in society.
Family connection is a vulnerable link with many diverse small groups like parent-child as well as matrimonial communication. Ways through which family life affects children in this case has been put in the documentation by skilled researchers to be seen as interpersonal communication throughout childhood (Altman & Taylor 21).
Scholars have had different points of view in their attempt to carry out findings of family communication. Meanwhile others choose to observe the responsibilities of parental impacts on children’s love connections ahead of time (LePoire), Haynes, Driscoll, Driver, Wheelis,Hyde, Prochaska and Ramos,1997; Winfield(2000). The other scholars, however, focus on the child-parent communication (Huang, 1991, India and Allen 1992, Petronio, Littlefield, 1984, Martin Wood and Inman, 1993 as well as Anderson 1995.
According to Wingfield (2000), and LePoire et al. (1997), the future relationships of children who grow up with parents are studied. It is according to these researchers that a finding of divorced parents impact on their children’s connection life in the near future is found. Wingfield describes children who are victims of divorce of their parents are always confused, and they don’t feel any stability or peace in their minds and body.
A point to be noted is that self-disclosure is not only applicable to families, but society as well finds it very vital as long as interpersonal interaction exists with the involvement of other human beings. According to Martin and Anderson (1995)’many findings have been repeated throughout the study of self-disclosure in family. In this finding, it is discovered that young people tend to reveal good things about themselves than bad ones. They reveal more things about themselves to pals and spouses than their parents.
In conclusion, interpersonal communication is one of the best methods that people use to bond a relationship. Petronio, Martin, and Littlefield’s (1984) also explain this finding based on certain analysis for self-revelation. On the other hand, findings by both Youniss and Smollar (1985) and Martin and Anderson (1995) reveal that young men and women feel free when speaking with parents who are considerate. The bond between an individual is one of the major contributors to self-expression. It is of the essence for people to express their problems or happiness to others in the best way possible.

Works cited

Dindia, K., & Allen, “Sex differences in self-disclosure: A meta-analysis”. Psychological Bulletin, 112, 106-124.1992
Altman & Taylor “Social penetration: The development of interpersonal relationships.” New York: Holt, Rinehart & Winston.1973. Print
Petronio, Martin, , & Littlefield, “Prerequisite conditions for self-disclosing: A gender Issue.” Communication Monographs, 51, 268-273.web. 1984
Interpersonal Relation Communication Theories: http://www.oregonstate.edu/instruct/comm321/gwalker/relationships.html.