Interpersonal communication

Interpersonal communication is the process by which people exchange information with others. It occurs when one party sends a message and another party receives the message. Messages may be verbal or nonverbal, depending on whether they employ language. Interpersonal communication may involve two people or larger groups, and may take place in many varied settings and situations. Direct interpersonal communication involves face-to-face exchange of information, while mediated interpersonal communication uses technological means to transfer messages.

Basic Features

Interpersonal communication occurs when two or more people exchange information about how they feel, what they believe, or what they want or need. In the most basic sense, this form of communication involves one party sending a message and another party receiving the message. The receiving party has to interpret the information in the message, and then may provide feedback to the sender. The communication is successful if the information is conveyed accurately and understood thoroughly.

Communication has many forms that can be categorized as either verbal or nonverbal. Verbal communication is characterized by the use of words and language. When people talk to each other or write messages, they are using verbal communication. Verbal communication is usually accurately conveyed and easy to understand.

The other main facet is nonverbal communication, which includes all ways of sharing information that do not directly involve language. Some examples of nonverbal communication are hand gestures, facial expressions, and body movements. These actions can support verbal communication or work on their own to convey information. Sometimes the meanings of nonverbal communication are ambiguous and require interpretation.

Groups, Settings, and Forms

Interpersonal communication is not restricted to two people. Rather, the parties involved may vary greatly in size and composition. The basic two-person format is known as the dyadic structure. Three or more participants make up a group, and large-group communication is considered public speaking. All of these group sizes use similar principles; although in larger groups, the communication tends to become more one-sided with less opportunity for interaction and feedback.

Interpersonal communication may take place in an innumerable variety of settings. For instance, the organizational setting includes businesses and schools, in which people exchange information in orderly ways on set topics. The family setting relates to family groups, small or large, whose members usually know each other well and may share beliefs and values that help them communicate effectively on a wide range of topics.

Many people believe that interpersonal communication skills are vital to success in personal and professional endeavors. For that reason, some people work to improve their communication skills by practicing or taking classes. Improved communication skills can contribute to more effective interactions in work or school as well as more fulfilling relationships with friends and loved ones.

In the modern world, two forms of interpersonal communication dominate. The first and most basic form is direct interpersonal communication, which involves face-to-face sharing of information. The second and more complicated form is mediated interpersonal communication, which uses technology to deliver information between senders and receivers.

Direct Interpersonal Communication

Direct interpersonal communication has been around since the beginning of humanity. All it requires are two or more people in close proximity who send and receive messages with each other. Both verbal and nonverbal messages are important.

Direct communication is a very active way of sharing ideas. The physical nearness of the participants and the fact that their messages are live (rather than being artificially recorded or delayed) means that ideas can be conveyed, and feedback returned, almost immediately. Message senders and receivers can interact in many dynamic ways, which can contribute to the success or failure of the communication.

Successful communication usually begins with a first impression and a careful process of deciphering the other party's interests, values, motivations, and so on. If the two parties tend to agree and get along, they may increase their communication, discussing new topics in a livelier manner. This successful process of communication can lead to effective workplace relationships and healthy personal relationships.

Alternately, communication can go poorly. In unsuccessful communication, the participants find more differences than similarities between them. They generally do not expand their communication into new topics, and in fact generally restrict it to basic topics or topics that they are required to discuss. Relationships initiated through this kind of communication are generally not pleasing ones and frequently do not last long.

Mediated Interpersonal Communication

The close proximity and immediacy of direct communication is generally not present in mediated interpersonal communication. In this form of communication, the parties involved do not share information face-to-face; rather, they use an artificial means of transferring their information. This means of communication might be as basic as a mailed letter or as complex as a computer or phone that allows for voice and video communication.

Mediated communication has several potential advantages over direct communication. The main benefit is that it allows communication to span distance. Using technology, people do not have to be in the same area to share ideas. Rather, emails, telephone calls, or text messages can convey verbal information across the globe almost instantaneously. Sometimes technology can also carry other advantages, such as providing translation services to help overcome language differences.

On the other hand, mediated communication has shortcomings as well. It may lack the personal feeling and lively dynamics of face-to-face communication. In addition, messages sent through technology may lack nonverbal cues to support their meaning, leading to possible confusion and, sometimes, troublesome misinterpretations. By the early twenty-first century, the use of social media and other internet- or technology-based modes of communication had become incredibly commonplace and had a significant impact on interpersonal communication. Device-based communication has both significantly expanded possibilities for mediated interpersonal communication but have also, in many cases, degraded people's abilities for face-to-face interpersonal interaction.

Bibliography

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