Interpersonal Communication, Self-concept, And Perception
Introduction
Interpersonal communication is manner in which information, feelings, and ideas are interchanged between two or more people. This is done through both non-verbal and verbal communication methods. In this paper, I will be covering why interpersonal communication is inescapable, irreversible, and complicated.
Principals
The first principal of interpersonal communication is that it is inescapable, no matter what is being done some form of communication is happening. Every day, whether it is intentional or not, you are communicating with someone. You can be crossing your arms while listening to someone talking and that can be construed as rude or not giving eye contact can appear that you are not interested in what they have to say. The second principal is that it is irreversible because when something is said or an action is witnessed, it will be remembered. For example, when you are watching a TV show and he judge orders the jury to disregard the last statement, everyone know that will not happen. The third principal is that it is complicated. There are too many variables that are involved to allow for the communication to be simplistic in nature. There are many ways for communication to go awry. For example, what something may mean to one person may not be the same for another. For a new employee, it is detrimental that they remember that everything they say and do is communicating something. The new employee should not try to avoid making any communication difficult to follow and make it as simple as possible.
Self-concept and Perception
Self-concept is one’s individual belief that their characteristics define who they are and what they are. It is also one’s own insight to their behavior and abilities. For instance, if someone was to say that they are a good person then that is how they see themselves. The younger someone is, the more their self-concept changes, but when they are older, their identity and character is defined and harder to change. Perception is what an individual recognizes and translates through sensory information. It is also that manner in which someone responds to the information that is being translated.
An individual’s self-concept affects their personal perception which in turn impacts their attitude and their behavior. All of this can be seen throughout their communication with others.
When two or more people are communicating, their individual self-knowledge and self-concept becomes noticeable to others which will affect the reaction they get. With everybody having their own perception on things, the impact on interpersonal communication is profound. For example, when you are working with someone and they make a statement such as “I cannot do this anymore”, they may mean they cannot focus on work, but you could be thinking they meant something completely different.
Conclusion
As stated above, interpersonal communication is the process in which information, feelings, and ideas are interchanged between two or people. This can be done through verbal and non-verbal communication. Interpersonal communication will always be inescapable, irreversible, and complicated. An individual’s own self-concept and perception has a drastic effect on how they communicate and how their intended message is delivered.
References
- Bajracharya, S. (2018, April 18). Interpersonal Communication. Retrieved from https://www.businesstopia.net/communication/interpersonal-communication-examples
- Interpersonal Communication and Self. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.pearsoned.ca/highered/showcase/beebe/pdf/samplechapter_2.pdf
- Johnston, K. (2018, April 18). The Impact of Perception on Interpersonal Communication. Retrieved from https://yourbusiness.azcentral.com/impact-perception-interpersonal-communication-10480.html
- King, D. (2000). Four Principles of Interpersonal Communication. Retrieved from http://www.pstcc.edu/facstaff/dking/interpr.htm
- McLeod, S. (2008). Self Concept. Retrieved from https://www.simplypsychology.org/self-concept.html
