UNIT INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION OBJECTIVES By the end of this unit, you should be able to: © identify your communication strengths and weaknesses develop your interpersonal communication skills * build up communication confidence * build up self-confidence WHAT IS INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION? There are many different ways of defining interpersonal communication. One way is to trace the meaning of the word interpersonal. Basically, the word interpersonal can be divided into two that is, inter and person. The prefix inter gives the meaning between thus, interpersonal communication literally means that communication occurs between people. Even though we know that communication occurs between people, some researchers suggest thatFE | rowanns EFFECTIVE ORAL COMMUNICATION interpersonal communication involves only two people and others believe that more than two people are involved. Here, the number of people involved will not be a criterion in defining interpersonal communication. In short, interpersonal communication is defined as communication between people regardless of the number of people involved. WHY ENGAGED IN INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION? Generally, we can say that interpersonal communication is a process where people interact to exchange information. To be more specific interpersonal communication actually helps us to develop a sense of self. We can learn about ourselves by knowing who we are, what our strengths and weaknesses are, and also how other people react to our behaviour. Understanding ourselves will help us develop a positive interpersonal communication. One way of developing a sense of self is by working through the Johari Window. The Johari Window (Figure 2.1) is a model with four windows that will help us increase our self-awareness. Known to self Unknown to self Known to OPEN WINDOW BLIND WINDOW others Unknown to HIDDEN WINDOW UNKNOWN WINDOW others Figure 2.1: Johari Window The size of each of the Johari Window is not fixed. The sizes of the windows change depending on the situation of interaction. Note that the size of the four windows (Figure 2.2) may change but they cannot be separated, they are all interdependent. Through the Johari Window we will be able to know how much knowledge we know about ourselves and how much others know about us.UNIT 2 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION | [EH Known to self Unknown to self Known} | OPEN WINDOW BLIND WINDOW ae Known to you and others | __ Not known to you but known others o Example: Name, sex, age | Example: scratch head when lying, fold arms when angry Unknown | HIDDEN WINDOW UNKNOWN WINDOW ta Known to you but keptas | _Not known to you and others others | secret Example: Ambition Example: Hidden talent Figure 2.2 : Johari Window with Different Size Windows By understanding ourselves through the Johari Window, we will be able to identify our strengths and weaknesses. Thus, we will be able to improve our interpersonal communication. Activity 1 Individual Who Am I? Tell your class what you know about yourself, for example your name, race, religion, job, hometown and so forth. (GRAPHIC: Based on the pictures in the box)EB [ rowarbs EFFECTIVE ORAL COMMUNICATION Activity 2 Pair Who Is My Friend? Find a partner. Seek information that has not been revealed by your partner when he/she introduces herself earlier. You may want to know your partner's Hee lves radar seine coker fone Once you have gathered the information, stand besides your partner and introduce him/her to class. Activity 3 Class Identify which window your friend belongs to and then discuss.UNIT 2. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION | [EE TYPES OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION BEHAVIOUR By understanding the different interpersonal communication behaviour, you will be able to meet or improve the target needs in real life communication and most importantly be a competent communicator. Submissive Assertive Behaviour Assertive behaviour means standing up for one’s own right without infringing upon other people's rights. People with assertive behaviour are able to confidently express their thoughts, feelings, beliefs and desires. Most importantly they are honest and they do respect other people's feelings and desires. They are also open and they listen to other people’s opinions. Assertive people are not easily intimidated and persuaded by others. Assertive Signals The following are some examples of verbal and nonverbal signals used by an assertive person: Verbal Signals “I'm certain that I can submit the report tomorrow morning”. * “I don’t know the answer to your question”. Nonverbal Signals * Steady voice * Straight eye contact[Ey [ towards EFFECTIVE ORAL COMMUNICATION Activity 4 List some verbal and nonverbal signals used by an assertive person. Discuss. Submissive Behaviour Submissive behaviour means not standing up for oneself. People with submissive behaviour do not express their thoughts, feelings, beliefs and desires clearly. Most importantly they do not stand up for their own rights. Submissive people appease others however they do not achieve their own satisfaction and goals. They tend to go along with other people’s decision and they dare not say ‘no’ to others. As a result, they are resentful and lack confidence in themselves. Submissive Signals The following are some examples of verbal and nonverbal signals used by a submissive person: Verbal Signals * “Well, I guess, I can submit the report tomorrow morning”. * “I'm not sure the answer to your question”. Nonverbal Signals * Nervous voice © Lack eye contactUNIT 2 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION Activity 5 List some verbal and nonverbal signals used by a submissive person. Discuss. Aggressive Behaviour Aggressive behaviour means standing up for one own’s right in such a way that infringe upon other people's rights. People with aggressive behaviour express their thoughts, feelings, beliefs and desires in inappropriate ways. Aggressive people do not respect other people's feelings and desires, and they do not listen to other people’s opinions. They humiliate others to achieve their own satisfaction and goals. Most importantly they stand up to win or gain power for themselves. They do not go along with other people’s decision. Aggressive Signals The following are some examples of verbal and nonverbal signals used by an aggressive person: Verbal Signals * “That’s your problem, I do not want to submit the report tomorrow morning”. * “Silly you, what a stupid question”. Nonverbal Signals * Dominating voice * Dominating eye contact[EG | vowarbs ErrecTIve ORAL COMMUNICATION Activity 6 List some verbal and nonverbal signals used by an aggressive person. Discuss. VerbalUNIT 2. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION | Activity 7 Pair/Group Work Situation Based on each situation given below, provide appropriate verbal and nonverbal signals that may be used during the interaction. Discuss and decide the different types of interpersonal communication behaviour that take place. {You may role play the situations given below) 1. Your friend borrowed your book and left it at home. You need the book back for your assignment. 2. You are listening to a lecture, people behind you are talking and you need fo tell them to be quiet. 3. You and ea business pariner are frametg a new slimming attire to a ae of lady executives during lunch time. Your partner was late and had forgotten to bring the slimming attire. 4. For your class project, you and your partner decided to prepare a power point presentation. However, it ended up by having you to work alone on the power point presentation. 5. Your superior has assigned your team to carry out a research project. As a group leader, you have discussed with your group members and assigned them duties and responsibilities in carrying out the research. Your team met two weeks later to discuss the outcome of everyone's duties and responsibilities. During your meeting you found out that one of your team members did not do his/her duties and responsibilities that had been agreed earlier.