Communication

Communication Overview

  • Process of sharing meaning through interaction.

  • Characteristics: Dynamic, complex, reciprocal, contextual.

Interpersonal Communication Components

  1. Clear expression of thoughts and ideas.

  2. Coping with emotions (e.g., anger).

  3. Adequate self-concept.

  4. Willingness to disclose personally.

  5. Good listening skills.

Principles of Communication

  • Types: Intrapersonal, Interpersonal.

  • Process aspects:

    • Encoding: expressing meaning.

    • Decoding: interpreting meaning.

  • Communication is inevitable; cannot not communicate.

  • It is dynamic and involves:

    • Content Dimension: Information shared.

    • Relational Dimension: Social relationship indicated.

  • Influenced by self-disclosure and cultural context.

  • Learned behavior.

Communication Competence

  • Skills include:

    • Large repertoire of skills

    • Adaptability

    • Commitment

    • Empathy & perspective-taking

  • Cognitive Complexity: Ability to view issues from different frameworks.

  • Self-Monitoring: Observing and adjusting one’s own behavior.

Nonverbal Communication (NVC)

  • Messages expressed without words; powerful and often genuine.

  • NVC can overrule verbal communication and may express discomfort.

  • Often ambiguous, continuous, culturally based, and difficult to suppress.

Listening

  • Involves hearing, attending, understanding, remembering, and responding.

Active Listening Techniques

  1. Ask questions: Clarifying and showing interest.

  2. Encourage responses: Show that you are engaged.

  3. Paraphrase: Restate speaker's message in your own words.

  4. Empathize: Identify with speaker’s feelings.

  5. Supportive responses: Show solidarity.

Empathetic Communication Keys

  • Show respect and validate feelings.

  • Recognize emotional states and offer support.

Nonverbal Skills in Listening (SOLER)

  • S: Squarely face the speaker.

  • O: Open posture.

  • L: Lean toward the speaker.

  • E: Maintain eye contact.

  • R: Appear relaxed.

Conflict in Communication

  • Defined as perception of disagreement about values or needs.

Initiating Conflict Resolution

  • Choose right time/place.

  • Be assertive and own the problem.

  • Describe the issue behaviorally and focus on win/win solutions.

Responding to Conflict

  • Be rational, considerate of cues.

  • Seek understanding before responding.

  • Use empathy, paraphrase, and involve speaker in finding solutions.