Letter Of Advice: Barriers To Interpersonal Communication

Letter of Advice

Sabrina Whitmer

COM 200 Interpersonal Communication

Doctor Lisa Rollins

May 21, 2013

Letter of Advice

Dear James and Alison, Congratulations on your upcoming marriage. I am happy and honored that you have asked me for my advice on how to communicate well within a marriage. In this letter of advisement I will focus on what I believe to be the top five issues. The issues are as follows; self-disclosure in relationships, barriers to effective interpersonal interactions, strategies for active, critical, and empathic listening, , emotional intelligence and strategies for managing interpersonal conflicts. First and foremost to have a happy marriage there has to be a good
Even if sometimes our assumptions are correct, communication can break down further when they are not. It is important to test the accuracy of our assumptions, so there should be proof or an admission. Insensitivity, or lack of empathy, is the failure to accurately perceive the feelings of others. Insensitivity is often caused by being preoccupied, Lack of awareness, poor listening skills, and the need to draw attention to one’s self (Firstein, 2010). According to Firstein (2010) "Labeling and judging are methods for creating mental order and gaining control over emotions. Labeling can be disabling, as is the case when communication is marked by putdowns and name calling." (para. 6) Refusing to talk with your partner is frequently a means of controlling them or gaining power in a relationship. Placating your partner refers to a variety of strategies to calm them or to keep from "rocking the boat." Playing games is a dysfunctional way of communicating, and is a negative example of interacting that can develop between couples. Most of the time, the couple is unaware that they are "playing the game"; they have merely developed a pattern of interacting that is not constructive or useful in growing the relationship (Sole K,
Communication problems can arise that disturb the relationship or even cause its termination (Sole K, 2011). Learn to be kind to one another. If you and your partner will learn a few simple things you can avoid all these barriers. Learn to be still as the Eagles say in their song, still not silent, this is important so that each of you can listen and give feedback to one another. Share back and forth with questions and answers. Strategies for Active, Critical, and Empathic Listening Couples need to have a plan for a strategy for active, critical, and empathic listening. We hear sometimes but don’t really listen. People need to pay attention to each other. Always get rid of the external noise around you, look face to face with each other. Make eye contact, and look for non verbal communication, such as a smile, tears, and a frown. Do not interrupt each other, because it interferes with listing skills and that makes it hard to fairly interpret the message. Listen with feeling and be aware of your own non verbal communications. Try sitting face to face with your spouse and holding hands while