Interpersonal Communication, Self-concept, and Perception

Interpersonal Communication, Self-concept, and Perception

Interaction plays a very vital role in our day-to-day encounters. For instance, in the work environment, the workforce consistently uses interpersonal communication to convince their employer to grant them some time off, negotiate with customers, or even when comforting a colleague (Center for English Language Communication, 2011). Some principles argue that; interpersonal communication is irreversible, involves ethical choices, and it is unavoidable influence the nature of interpersonal communication. This paper aims at understanding how the principles of interpersonal communication affect personal and professional relationships.  The article will further establish the impact of perception and self-concept on interpersonal communication.

Interpersonal communication is a mutual meaning among people.  Interaction among people entails figuring out what others’ behavior or words imply or signify rather than a mere exchange of words (Wood, 2016).  Interpersonal communication satisfies diverse individual needs.  Self-actualization and personal growth are among desires fulfilled during interactions          (Wood, 2016). Some principles underpin interpersonal communication: interpersonal communication is irreversible, involves ethical choices, and is unavoidable (Wood, 2016, pp 28-29)..

According to Wood (2016), Interpersonal communication is irreversible.  This principle cautions that it is crucial to consider the contents of one’s thoughts before conveying the actual message that might be inappropriate to the receiver.  Negativity in utterances results in conflicts and consequently ruins relationships.  Face book is a social platform, and any inappropriate communications made through it will be hard to undo.  For instance, when an unethical photo lands On Facebook, Prompt comments stream in the platform criticizing the post.  Consequently, the victim’s reputation is ruined, and trying to shut down the Facebook account or deleting the post brings no remedy.  Our communication permanently becomes a part of a relationship;  vigilance is crucial in every conversation.

Interpersonal communication involves ethical choices.  Ethics concerns itself with codes of conduct and moral principles; it entails what is wrong and what is right.  In its nature, interpersonal communication is irreversible and has ethical implications on others. It affects how people perceive others, how they feel and behave, and their thoughts on other people.  In our day-to-day encounters, ethical choices influence our decisions.  How do you respond to a provoking message on a social media platform without raising ethical concerns?  In the place of work, should we limit ourselves in giving negative feedback on performance for fear of hurting the feelings of our colleagues, although it might improve their performance?  It is evident ethical concerns determine our way of interaction. (Wood, 2016)

Interpersonal communication is unavoidable. This principle plays a vital role in our lives; it implies that whether we choose to engage in a conversation or keep silent, we are still communicating.  However, this principle is dependent on the cultural setting as different reactions to a conversation have different meanings in diverse cultures. For instance, western culture may regard silence as a sign of lack of interest, anger, or lack of comprehension.

In contrast, silence in the Eastern culture signifies respect or thought processing. Our unconscious eye-rolling, from a wrong interpretation, means our total dislike of a person. Unconscious communication habitually occurs through nonverbal communication. Communication is unavoidably continuous regardless of our intention to interact or the perception of our conversation by others (Wood, 2016).

Although our sensory receptors continually amass information from our surroundings, our ultimate interpretation of the gathered information determines how we interact with our surroundings.  Perception involves selecting, organizing, interpreting, and conscious representation of the amassed sensory information. Communication occurs based on different viewpoints.  The relationship between understanding and interpersonal communication is reciprocal; communication motivates perception while, on the other hand, perception influences communication. For instance, your colleague informs you that he considers the new employee as unintelligent just from a mere look.  From your colleague’s point of view, you categorize the new employee as ignorant, though you have not interacted yet.  Later on, after a few conversations with the new employee, you change your opinion on the employee. Perception of others greatly influences our interpersonal communication (Lane, 2016)

Self-concept is not innate; instead, it develops as we go through various stages of life. The perceptions we attribute to ourselves generate our self -concept.  Self-concept entails how we feel and think about ourselves.  Self-concept dramatically influences our opinion, behavior, attitude, and preferences, which can be evident during interactions.  A negative self-concept inhibits effective interpersonal communication because of low-self esteem, which influences biased utterances (k. Gamble & M .Gamble, 2014).

Interpersonal communication entails figuring out what others’ behavior or words imply or signify rather than a mere exchange of words. Interpersonal communication is irreversible, involves ethical choices, and ultimately it is unavoidable.  Perception influences our ultimate interpretation of the gathered information determines how we interact with our environment.  The opinions we attribute to ourselves generate our self-concept, which determines how well we interact with people or how difficult we make our relationship to be with ourselves or with others. Understanding the nature of interpersonal communication makes us interact with people ethically and effectively.

References

Gamble, T. K., & Gamble, M. W. (2014). Interpersonal communication: Building connections

 Together.  Los Angeles, Calif: Sage.

Lane, S. D. (2016).  Interpersonal communication: Competence and contexts. (2nd ed.).  Milton   Park, Abingdon, Oxon: Routledge/Taylor & Francis.

Wood, J. T. (2016).  Interpersonal communication: Everyday encounters. (8th ed.).Boston, MA: Cengage learning