Communication that is interpersonal is the process of sending and receiving messages between two or more people. Examples of interpersonal communication are:
1) a conversation between two people
2) small group communication
3) a speech made to a wide audience.
All these can be considered forms of interpersonal communication. All forms of interpersonal communication rely on a sender (from which a message originates), a message, a communication channel (or medium such as the voice of a person), a receiver, and feedback. Examples of these elements of interpersonal communication may change depending on the situation but it is still interpersonal communication.
When something obstructs the process of interpersonal communication, such as noise, there are negative consequences that result. For example:
1) if the sender finds it difficult to be heard, the receiver may not be able to react to the message being sent.
2) the receiver may not be able to provide necessary feedback to the sender of the message.
This makes interpersonal communication a very important process to follow, regardless of the size of the group involved in interpersonal communication.
What are the ways in which interpersonal communication can break down or be obstructed?
1) Predominance of emotions - the sender may be subconsciously influencing how the message is received because of his emotional state. Or the receiver could be providing emotionally-influenced feedback in return.
2) Filtering - when this problem occurs, the receiver may not get the whole message because the sender has restructured the message to suit his own purposes.
3) Information overload - sometimes, there are senders who provide too much information at one time, making the receiver feel burdened with the size of the message. The receiver may then not be able to respond to the sender.
4) Defensiveness - a receiver who feels threatened by the message could react in a defensive way - even if the sender did not intend to put the receiver on the defensive.
5) Cultural bias - the message of a sender could subconsciously be colored by the cultural perspective maintained by the sender. If the sender and receiver come from different cultures, this could result in communication breakdown.
6) Jargon - a sender should make sure that the receiver can understand him when the sender resorts to using jargon. This is because the sender may wind up being frustrated because the receiver fails to understand him or reacts in an undesirable way.
How does one improve interpersonal communication then?
There are four possible ways:
1) Make messages simpler - do not resort to long messages because this makes it more likely that the message will not get through, be misinterpreted, or simply ignored. Short messages are easier to absorb and react to.
2) Restrain your emotions - if you become emotionally agitated, wait until you have your emotions under control before you send a message or feedback.
3) Listen closely - make it a point to listen well to the person speaking to you. Many cases of breakdown in communication occur because the receiver does not listen closely to the message.
4) Provide sufficient feedback - If you are the receiver, make it a point to assure the sender that you have received the message by providing a summary of what the message was about. This facilitates the communication process even further.
For interpersonal communication, it is important that both sender and receiver make an effort to improve the
communication process. If only one party chooses to make an effort at improving communication, interpersonal communication will still not be achieved. Both parties - the sender and the receiver - have to do their part. Only then will dynamic communication interpersonal be achieved.
Related Articles
How to Improve Communication in Relationships
By: Peter Murphy | 18/07/2007 | Advice
Unless you are a hermit living on a desert island or high on a mountain, you will most likely have to learn how communication in relationships works.
How to Improve Communication in a Relationship with Email
By: Peter Murphy | 18/07/2007 | Advice
How does email communication in a relationship help foster better bonding? Well, basically emailing is the newest trend in communication nowadays.
How to Improve Communication Skills by Letting Go of Approval Needs
By: Peter Murphy | 19/07/2007 | Advice
Would you like some great tips on how to improve
communication skills? By improving your communication
skills, we mean that you will become more assertive at
communicating your thoughts and opinions.
How to Guarantee Effective Business Communication
By: Peter Murphy | 18/07/2007 | Advice
Effective business communication is a priority for any business that wants to develop value in its business relationships. If you find that your business relationships are faltering, you may need to learn how effective business communication works so you can apply it to your business.
Interpersonal Communication and Alzheimer's
By: Ryan Arsendatama | 31/08/2006 | Non-Fiction
During the early stages of alzheimer's disease, there is no problem of understanding of simple speech. However, difficulties in finding and expressing the correct word usage can start very early on in the disease.
Why Innovation is so Important
By: Michael J. Stenger | 06/06/2008 | Training
"Just as energy is the basis of life itself, and ideas the source of innovation, so is innovation the vital spark of all human change, improvement and progress" Tedd Levitt
8 Simple Ways to Effective Interpersonal Communication
By: Peter Murphy | 12/10/2007 | Advice
Effective interpersonal communication creates a feeling of community and intimacy where everyone's contributions are valued. It leads to proper understanding, sometimes on a deep level, depending upon the circumstances of the communication.
7 Fast Steps to Great Interpersonal Communication
By: Peter Murphy | 12/10/2007 | Advice
Interpersonal communication has a lot to do with non-verbal cues as well as what you say. People unconsciously detect a lot of meaning - and sometimes misinterpret it - from body language.
Got a Question? Ask.
Ask the community a question about this article:
Frequently Asked Questions
Molded pool
By: mz lisa | 05-07-2008
Can mold grow on the floor of a pool, spots appearing to be mold like are growing on the sides and floor of pool, is that possible? Water is clear, how to handle problem it seems to be growing, help, please!!!!
Ceiling fan vibrates too much, need quieter
By: Victoria | 03-07-2008
I have a ceiling fan that vibrates and almost seems to want to throw itself off the the ceiling. How do I fix this? Is there something loose?
Checking the manual operation of the garage door.
By: SJB | 02-07-2008
When checking the manual operation of garage doors such as the state of tune on the counter balance, only disconnect the door from the opener when the door is closed. I am a 20 year + professional garage door repair person, and I have seen cases when there was a broken spring on the door and the customer disengaged the door when open, only to have the door come crashing down causing permanent damage to the door sections, not to mention the risk to anything or anyone in the path of the door. If you are then unable to lift the door while disengaged without over exertion, it is quite possible there exists a broken spring or other fault causing binding that may need professional attention.
Slow bath drain, and no flushing while tub is draining
By: danny roberts | 02-07-2008
toliets will not flush when bath water is draining--the bath tub is located between both toliets and on the same floor
On roof, diverting water from Chimney
By: usafjones | 30-06-2008
Chimney runs up the side of the house, one half the way from the top of the roof. Water runs down roof, hits chimney siding, and bounces onto face of chimney. Has rotted chimney. How can I divert water away from chimney?
Air conditioner transformer
By: BigmamaK | 30-06-2008
My transformer keeps blowing out. What could be the problem?
Q&A Powered by:
Latest Advice Articles
Making a Decision is the First Critical Step to Success
By: Josef Mack | 19/07/2008
We all make many decisions every day. But when it comes to key aspects of our life we rarely make a decision, and when we do it is unlikely that we will follow through. Learn why its important to make a strong decision.
Positive Thoughts- Why Think Positively
By: Andy Smith | 19/07/2008
Hundreds of thousands of books must been written in all the languages about positive thinking? Every second book on self-development invariably has a chapter on positive thinking. Why? Why so much importance is being given to positive thinking? What are the reasons? Does positive thinking really help? Many people believe that by thinking positively nothing changes. They think that this is an invention of some fertile imaginations to sell more books and make money.
Personality Test - Do You Have Saintly Qualities
By: Andy Smith | 18/07/2008
What kind of a person are you? At the time of test, will you prove yourself a good person or fail? All of us think that we are good persons. But when it comes to crunch, not many pass the test. They change suddenly at that moment and become a different person.
Personality Test - are You Liked by Your Co-workers
By: Andy Smith | 18/07/2008
You must be aware of somebody in your office that is not liked by many of you. But that person is unaware of that. No body wants to tell him/her on their face about what they do not like in that person. Are you also one such person who is not liked by some co-workers? You do not believe that to be true at all. But why not try and make yourself more popular? Let us discuss how.
Pain of Living
By: Andy Smith | 18/07/2008
Pain. Immense pain. Sometimes unbearable, and sometimes incomprehensible. So many of us live life in pain. The pain of decision-making. The pain of thinking about life. The pain of keeping dead relationships alive. The pain of memories that haunt us. The pain of fear. The pain of getting up in the morning and the pain of sleepless nights.
Our Thoughts Determine our Destiny
By: Andy Smith | 18/07/2008
Most of what we experience in our lives is a result of our habitual thoughts. Focusing on something increases it in our lives in one way or another.
Of Morality and Integrity - a True Story
By: Andy Smith | 18/07/2008
Recently in India, a news appeared. The news was not shocking but must be given a second thought. A sex worker had not told her daughter about her profession and saved enough money to send her daughter for higher education to Australia. After daughter came to know the source of mother's income, the report says that the mother and daughter have come closer.
Of Humanity and Cruelity
By: Andy Smith | 18/07/2008
This is story of a girl. A girl supposed to have a very soft heart. A very sensitive girl. Someone one could call as a compassionate person. I will tell you about how she acquired her pet, rather two pets. And how one was beaten by her father and the other was beaten dead by herself. Let me begin.
More from Peter Murphy
Quick and Easy Interpersonal Communication Success
By: Peter Murphy | 19/10/2007 | Advice
Whatever reason you have for wanting to improve your speaking or listening skills, you can pick up some useful tips from interpersonal communication articles. Reading about the techniques and tips lets you digest the information when you're not under pressure to communicate.
Best Ways To Start A Great Conversation
By: Peter Murphy | 19/10/2007 | Advice
One characteristic of good communication skills is the ability to start a conversation. How are you supposed to start a conversation anyway? Starting a conversation is very interesting and it has been coined with so many names.
How To Communicate Well Under Pressure
By: Peter Murphy | 18/10/2007 | Advice
People who have great communication skills can communicate well despite being under pressure. Notice the great public relations officers out there. Despite being bombarded with controversial issues, they are still able to remain graceful under such pressure.
How To Brainstorm Great Ideas For Conversation Topics
By: Peter Murphy | 18/10/2007 | Advice
Engaging into conversations with people happen everyday and with the right communication skills, you can pretty much talk about anything under the sun. If you want to become a great communicator then you have to think about great ideas for conversation.
How To Deal With Nerves When Meeting People
By: Peter Murphy | 18/10/2007 | Advice
It is very difficult to manage your nerves when you meet people but with effective communication skills, you will be able to manage these nerves properly even under pressure. Being nervous when you meet people is certainly normal.
How To Make Conversation With Difficult People
By: Peter Murphy | 18/10/2007 | Advice
A person who is able to have conversations with difficult people is considered to have highly developed communication skills. There are so many difficult people out there. What constitutes a difficult person anyway?
Verbal Communication Skill Secrets for Success at Work and at Home
By: Peter Murphy | 17/10/2007 | Advice
To be able to communicate verbally, even if that "verbal" is with sign language for people who are hearing impaired, is vitally important. Without good verbal communication skill, getting by in life would be virtually impossible. Every day, in so many ways, we use those skills.
7 Fast Steps to Great Interpersonal Communication
By: Peter Murphy | 12/10/2007 | Advice
Interpersonal communication has a lot to do with non-verbal cues as well as what you say. People unconsciously detect a lot of meaning - and sometimes misinterpret it - from body language.
Self Improvement 
