Interpersonal Communication in Relationships Research Paper

Interpersonal Communication in Relationships - Research Paper Example So far, the course has provided vast amounts of information that would assist in improving interpersonal relationships through the right application of communication theories and approaches. I would be structuring my advice in five sections: the principles and misconceptions in effective interpersonal communications; barriers to effective interpersonal interactions; the process of developing and maintaining self-concept; assessing your personal communications and improving communication competencies; and finally, developing strategies for active, critical and emphatic listening. I am sure that although this letter is lengthy, the information contained herein is validated from significant findings sources from researches on the subject by authoritative practitioners in the field. Principles and Misconceptions in Effective Interpersonal Communications Effective interpersonal communications must address issues that lead to misconceptions on communication. Remember John and Vivian how mi sunderstandings commonly results from misinterpreting the messages relayed by the sender of the communication to the recipient, or vise versa? A relevant article published in the Health Day News entitled â€Å"Close Relationships Sometimes Mask Poor Communication† (which I will likewise attach for your further reading on you available time), revealed that couples have tendencies to assume that since they have been together for a defined period in time, their close interpersonal relationship presumes that they understand all communications relayed or exchanged in all circumstances. This is a misconception. Experts reveal that one partner should not assume that the message expressed by the other is always understood (Thompson, n.d.). To address the dilemma, couples must repeat what one said to confirm it the message was correctly understood. Accordingly, the implicit rule is to double check with each other (Thompson, n.d.). The Health Day News article cited Nicholas Epley, a pr ofessor of behavioral science at the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, as explaining the rationale for the misconception, to wit: â€Å"our problem in communicating with friends and spouses is that we have an illusion of insight. Getting close to someone appears to create the illusion of understanding more than actual understanding" (Health Day News, 2011, p. 1). In this regard, to improve communication, John and Vivian, you need to pay closer attention not only on the verbal language that you exchanged, but also on nonverbal modes of communication, such as gesture, body language, tone of the voice, eye contact and even silence (Grohol, n.d.). Caution is likewise advised in the interpretation of nonverbal signals that could also be susceptible to be misinterpreted. The rule on double checking still applies. The website on Family Education provide relevant suggestions to improve communication skills by following the guidelines on steps in clear communication: to observ e undivided attention, figuring out what one really wants to say, and practicing being a good listener, among others (Family Education, n.d.). Now that issues of misconception are resolved, we now proceed to barriers to effective interpersonal interactions. Barriers to Effective Interpersonal Interactions There are diverse sources of barriers that deem to preclude the level of