COM200 Interpersonal Communication
Mary Ann Witt
March 18, 2014
Letter of Advice on Interpersonal Communications
Dear Jon and Astrid,
Congratulations on your engagement, and the choice to spend your lives together. Thank you for the opportunity to share with both of you the concepts of which I have learned on how to communicate effectively. The choices both of you make now towards communicating effectively will lead to a long and healthy relationship, and by implementing these concepts everyday they can enrich both your personal and professional lives. Interpersonal communications is about humans, and our ability to relate to one another effectively, it is about listening, …show more content…
Next to this building, was a large tree with branches that stretched out close to the building, and when returning to their home the mother climbed the tree. The mother reached a large branch then turned around to instruct her two children to follow. First, one followed, but the smaller of the two was so frightened, instead sat motionless on the side of the tree a few feet off the ground. The mother chattered as an attempt to coaxes her young to come, but failed. My mother and I, and our neighbor were so concerned that another animal would find the baby, that our neighbor quickly went up to the baby raccoon, and gently patted the baby on the butt. The baby raccoon more frightened of the man ran up the tree to the mother. The example shows how each of us shared concern. What I have learned in the interpersonal communication class is that words have no meaning, that meaning is an emotion that humans possess. Communicating effectively and reaching a mutual understanding with others is an ongoing process acquired through shared meaning. Communicating is a process, we interconnect with others, we are changed, and this changes relationships and people. In addition, communicating can differ culturally, and will change as people’s environments change, but it is also important to remember, communicating has …show more content…
The first, called forcing, is when an individual acts more of the tough-guy, using superiority, and power to make the other person conform to their decision. The benefit in a more business setting is the problem is gone, but in intimate relationships, it may leave the other person feeling as though their point of view is non-important (Phillips & Cheston, 1979). Another approach to resolution is the joint-resolution. Here Jon and Astrid, as a couple the goal each would have is to share the facts regarding the dispute or disagreement, feelings, and then together find a solution. The other compromise is a give-and-take where both would give up something to bring to the bargaining table, and the benefit here is simple, the compromise itself resolves the problem. Avoidance resolves nothing, but causes each to harbor ill feelings towards the other instead of expressing, and disclosing the problems immediately (Phillips & Cheston, 1979). The only benefit is that the confrontation ends, but ultimately will need attention in the near future. There are no benefits to resolving problems if the solution is avoidance. The only things gained, is resentment, and morose feelings toward each other that may result in the dissolution of the