Question

List at least three things you found most interesting about interpersonal communication, explaining why you found them interesting.

Explain at least two things from the chapter you think will help you in your interpersonal relationships and how you think they will be useful.

Finally, describe what you consider to be your most common conflict management strategies and whether you would prefer to use a different strategy in the future. Give specific examples.

Answer 1

Three interesting facts about interpersonal communication are:

1) Social networking is a form of interpersonal communication. However, it is not so in the truest sense since the people interacting virtually cannot see each other's moods and expressions. With the invention of web innovations such as video chats, interpersonal communication has become easier even virtually.

2) An important factor in understanding interpersonal communication is context. For example, the situation from where the communication is taking place influences communication.

3) Culture impacts interpersonal communication immensely. Culture shapes ones thoughts, feelings and actions and therefore it directly impacts on how one communicates and helps one reason out why people interact differently.

Two things that would help a person in having better interpersonal relationships are:

1) Empathy: It is understanding another person from their point of view. Most of the times we are busy analysing others from our perspective. This creates a gap in relationships. Therefore practicing empathy would help a person in having better interpersonal relationships.

2) Mental Expectations: It is important to understand the person before making expectations. Unrealistic expectations lead to disappointments in relationships. Therefore, mental expectations should be made wisely.

The most common conflict management strategy used is Accommodating. This is because this form of conflict management does not lead to any quarrels and arguments. There is maintainence of peace atleast on the periphery. For example, even if there might different views regarding a certain issue, the topic is neutralized before it becomes a heated argument.

A different strategy which would be preferred is Collaboration which requires a lot of interpersonal communication but the end result is a win-win situation for both the persons in the relationship.