Interpersonal Communication Key Terms

Comprehensive vocabulary flashcards covering interpersonal communication terms, defence mechanisms, communication methods, nonverbal behaviors, and professional conduct from the lecture notes.

Active listening

A nonjudgemental communication technique that focuses not only on understanding the content of what is being said but also on underlying emotions and feelings conveyed by the sender, paying attention to both verbal and nonverbal cues.

Assertiveness

A style of communication in which thoughts and feelings are expressed positively and directly, without offending others.

Body language

An important part of nonverbal communication that can reveal a person's physical, mental, or emotional state through gestures, postures, facial expressions, body movement, eye contact, and general appearance.

Clarifying

A communication method that helps ensure a message is understood by asking the person to repeat the message or stating that you do not understand.

Closed-ended questions

Questions structured so that the response can be restricted to one word (such as yes or no) or to a few words, focusing on specific information.

Communication barriers

Factors that prevent the sending and receiving of messages, limiting communication or causing it to fail completely.

Confidentiality

Ensuring private information is kept secret and restricted from unauthorized people, sharing only pertinent information with team members providing direct care.

Defence mechanisms

A subconscious practice intended to either delay or avoid altogether uncomfortable feelings such as anxiety, guilt, stress, or embarrassment.

Denial

A defence mechanism characterized by an unwillingness to accept the truth or a certain reality.

Displacement

A transfer of feelings (usually of anger) onto another person or item instead of onto the person who is the source of the anger.

Electronic communication

The transfer of information through electronic media.

Empathetic listening

A nonjudgemental technique that requires the listener to be attentive to the sender's feelings.

Empathy

Being open to trying to understand the experience and feelings of others, often referred to as putting yourself in someone else's shoes.

Fantasizing

Daydreaming as an escape instead of dealing with reality.

Focusing

Limiting the conversation to a certain topic, especially when a person's thoughts wander or they ramble.

Humour

The quality of being funny that can reduce tension, increase trust, and promote bonding in communication.

Interpersonal communication

The exchange of information between two people, usually face to face.

Mixed message

A confusing and unhelpful message resulting from conflicting verbal and nonverbal signals.

Nonverbal communication

Messages sent without words, expressed through body language, touch, and silence.

Open-ended questions

Questions that invite a person to share thoughts, feelings, or ideas, requiring more response than a simple yes or no.

Paraphrasing

Restating someone's message in one's own words.

Passive-aggressiveness

The practice of expressing negative emotions, resentment, or anger toward others through passive, indirect ways (such as procrastination or manipulation) instead of verbalizing feelings in an assertive manner.

Patronizing language

Language using terms like love, honey, sweetness, or dear that can make a person feel unimportant and inferior.

Projection

Blaming someone else for one's own behaviour.

Rationalization

Justifying a behaviour or action by explaining it as being less harmful or hurtful than it really is.

Reaction formation

Acting in a way that is opposite to how one truly feels.

Regression

A return to an earlier developmental stage as a way to escape from stress.

Repression

The involuntary action of blocking painful memories from the conscious mind.

Silence

A form of nonverbal communication that can convey a message of acceptance, rejection, fear, or the need for quiet and time to think.

Social media

Websites and applications through which users create virtual communities or networks to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content.

Submissiveness

A show of obedience, meekness, and compliance in the face of conflict or a difference of opinion, instead of assertiveness.

Suppression

A conscious refusal to acknowledge a painful or upsetting situation.

Sympathy

A feeling of sincere care, sorrow, or pity for someone who is going through a hard time, acknowledging their pain from an outside view.

Touch

An important form of nonverbal communication that can convey warmth, comfort, concern, affection, trust, and reassurance.

Verbal communication

Messages sent through the spoken word.

Workplace etiquette

Professional, ethical, friendly, and respectful behaviour toward all staff and co-workers at all times.