This paper analyzes the significance of interpersonalcommunication by focusing on specific characters in the films: "Tuesdays with Morrie" and "As Good as it Gets."
Abstract This paper defines the term interpersonalcommunication as the process wherein individuals collectively create and regulate human reality. The writer of this paper examines the interpersonal skills of several characters in both films while detailing the manner in which these skills were either effectively or ineffectively demonstrated. The writer contends and explains why effective interpersonalcommunication skills are crucial for creating and maintaining long-lasting and successful relationships.
From the Paper "Communication is defined by Trenholm and Jenson as the process whereby humans collectively create and regulate human reality. Key words in this definition are process, collectively, create, regulate and reality. What is important in interpersonal communication is what people do when they are together one-on-one functioning as members of a team participants in a group."
Tags: self-esteem, communication skills, striving for excellence, personality, interaction, self-management, behavior
A look at how interpersonalcommunication skills can be used to address the challenge of maintaining family structure that is supportive to family members.
Abstract This paper relates that the greatest challenge to family communication in American in this day and age is maintaining a family structure that provides sufficient support and stability for individual family members.
The paper further relates that healthy conflict free interaction maintains the family structure and provides the most effective support and stability to individuals within the family. The paper then
demonstrates a three part clinical resolution technique for interpersonal conflict that involves first drawing direct attention to the conflict, simulating role reversal and experiencing empathy, and then offering an apology.
From the Paper "Another technique is role reversal and empathy (Blatner, 2002). This is also an essential process for the committed family members: it requires imagining what it is like to be in the other person's shoes. The empathy reaction is a direct alternative to the conflict causing reaction of repeating one's own opinion or attacking the other person's position within the interpersonal conflict. Thinking about the others feelings will remove that whole level of obstacle. "
Abstract This paper discusses interpersonalcommunication and explains that it consists of both verbal conversation and nonverbal cues. The paper continues with a discussion on the evolution of verbal and nonverbal interpersonalcommunication as well as a look at the different components comprising interpersonalcommunications. The paper specifically focuses on nonverbal communication and concludes with the reminder that our communicational repertoire includes many types of distinctly nonverbal elements involving everything from our eyes to where we position our feet in interpersonal interactions.
Outline:
Introduction
The Evolution of Verbal and Nonverbal InterpersonalCommunication Verbal and Nonverbal Components of InterpersonalCommunications Body Language in InterpersonalCommunications Relative Positioning in Nonverbal InterpersonalCommunications Hand and Body Movement in InterpersonalCommunications:
Nonverbal InterpersonalCommunication in Deception
Conclusion
From the Paper "Interpersonal communications consist primarily of conscious verbal conversation, but nonverbal cues also play an equally important role. Nonverbal communication includes both conscious and unconscious elements of body language and patterns of eye contact, as well as completely involuntary physiological reactions. Under routine interpersonal situations, verbal and nonverbal communications components are synchronous. However, under stressful interpersonal situations, such as where the speaker is nervous, apprehensive, or engaging in deception, verbal and nonverbal elements of interpersonal communications often fall completely out of synchronicity. Law enforcement interrogators, in particular, study the relationship between body language and intentional deception."
Abstract Interpersonalcommunication is the communication that takes place between two persons who have an established relationship. This paper examines the different types of coummunication such as face-to-face and looks at how, with inventions such as the telephone, fax machine, Internet, email, and other technological mediums for communication, a lot of face-to-face communication has been minimized. It discusses how interpersonalcommunication functions for many purposes: to learn, influence, help, and more. It also looks at some of the different theories regarding interpersonalcommunication such as the uncertainty and reduction theory, the social exchange theory and politeness theory.
From the Paper "One motivation that underpins interpersonal communication is the acquisition of information with which to reduce uncertainty (Health and Bryant, 2000, p.153). The uncertainty and reduction theory presumes that high uncertainty prevents intimacy, and low uncertainty creates intimacy. Within an interpersonal interaction, people communicate to reduce the amount of uncertainty. During interpersonal communication, the reduction of uncertainty follows a pattern: the entry stage consists of general information about a person's sex, age, race, and/or social status, among other things. "
Abstract This analysis of interpersonalcommunication in Hollywood uses the 1999 Troy Duffy directed film "Boondock Saints" to illustrate how nonverbal communication impacts interpersonalcommunication, as outlined in the theories of Judee K. Burgoon in 'Nonverbal Signals' from the "Handbook of InterpersonalCommunication".
From the Paper "In Troy Duffy's Boondock Saints two Irish Catholic brothers Connor and Murphy MacManus work and live in Boston Massachusetts. When the two brothers accidentally murder some mafia thugs they turn ..."
Abstract A discussion of interpersonalcommunication based on the movie ?American Beauty.? The objective being to identify ways that interpersonalcommunication theory is understood within the context of the film. Application of three theories from Steven Beebe's "InterpersonalCommunication: Relating to Others" are explored: assertiveness, emphatic listening and responding skills, and emotional contagion theory.
From the Paper ""American Beauty" is the story of American suburbia, the lives behind closed doors. Lester Burnham is a middle-aged man facing a middle-aged crisis in a middle-class neighborhood. He sums up his life in the beginning of the movie when he says, "In less than a year I"ll be dead. . . in a way I"m dead already" (American 1999). His wife, Caroline, is a struggling real estate agent obsessed with success and status. His daughter, Jane, comes across as the typical teenager, filled with anger, resentment, and embarrassment for her parents. The story's theme is Lester's transformation from passiveness to assertiveness (Beebe 270-271)."
Abstract This paper discusses the relation of the "Seinfeld" sitcom to interpersonalcommunication. Using a select choice of episodes, this case study looks at these segments to deconstruct them into pieces of interpersonalcommunication. Illustrates how these segments are the basis of classic Seinfeld humor.
From the Paper "Television creates bites of communication and serves these to everyone at the same time. It enhances these technically and sells them as the real thing - as evidence for the reality of the consumerist values, beliefs and assumptions embedded in TV advertising. With respect to the TV process, life tends to imitate TV, imitating art, imitating life."
Abstract This paper presents a case study that discusses interpersonalcommunication issues in the workplace. It provides an overview of a situation in which poor listening habits had a negative impact within the organizational hierarchy of an office workplace. It then describes the scenario in detail and identifies strategies that can be used to affect the situation or impact the communications processes between the persons involved.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Scenario Description
Communication Through Arbitration
From the Paper "Robyn is allowed to speak first. This is a conscious decision on the part of the mediator, as Robyn is the one who called the meeting and it is likely that Robert will need to gain some familiarity with the empathic listening process before he begins to respond. Robyn expresses her feelings of frustration; in the last few months, she feels that Robert has hindered her attempts to form an appropriate workplace culture for herself and her co-workers. She also feels as though Robert is doing so not out of disrespect for her abilities but rather as an expression of jealousy towards her for having received a position that he wanted."
Abstract This six-page paper discusses the role and value of interpersonalcommunications in practitioner-client relationship. It will explore the values and roles in sufficient detail and explain why they are important in the first place.
Abstract The author writes how this study of interpersonalcommunication helped him personally to appreciate the subtle differences between different cultures, as well as between men and women. The author further relates that he learned more about himself; what he needs to do in order to make his relationships more enduring and more productive.
From the Paper "Interpersonal communication is an area of study that can be very easily overlooked by non-experts when they are examining the anthropological and/or sociological underpinnings of a society. Specifically, people can become so wrapped up in linguistics or in political institutions and their development over time or in the philosophical-religious traditions of a nation or community that the way in which people interact with one another is often pushed to one side. However, for me personally, I find interpersonal communication to be highly revelatory because societies, as fundamentally social organisms, are constituted upon broad principles and rules that are meant to govern how people communicate with one another; in other words, if you can understand why people interact with each other in the manner they do, you can also understand the conventions, expectations, gender roles, social hierarchies, and basic parameters that order a society - a society that might very well be fundamentally different from one's own."
Abstract This paper describes the storyline in the film "Good Will Hunting"m, which tells the story of a young man whose trauma makes him aggressive and totally self-centered, but who is saved by a man who reaches into his heart and redirects him to love. The paper explains the difference between verbal aggressivenes and argumentativeness and outlines the theory of reciprocity and accommodation. The paper focuses on two scenes of "Good Will Hunting" and concludes that interpersonalcommunication that is open, revealing and not aggressive is argumentation, an effective way of discussing an issue in a positive manner.
Outline:
Introduction
Research Summary and Synthesis
Film Scene Application
Conclusion
From the Paper "The young man Will Hunting was abused as a child and grew up in foster homes. He has an inbuilt defense mechanism that pushes away people because he doesn't trust them. He is a born genius. He was discovered after solving a mathematical problem on a school's chalkboard by a professor of mathematics, while working as the school's janitor. The professor directs him to an old schoolmate of his, Sean McGuire, but Will has determined that he needs no help from anyone. Finally, McGuire sees through his defense mechanisms and finds a way to reach into his heart and from there, Will finds himself."
Abstract This essay examines the limitations of communication models by examining the writer's own communication skills and interactions. Covered are Linear & Interactive models of Communication, proxemics, gestures, body-language, non verbal communication, barriers, language, active listening, self-disclosure, Johari window & self reflection.
From the Paper "Most of the verbal communication is from one individual to another. This is true in a family, social, or a work setting. One-on-one verbal communication affords the greatest opportunity for precise communication, because immediate feedback from the receiver can tell whether the message has been understood accurately. However communicating effectively involves more than just accuracy. The purpose of most communication is to influence the attitudes and behaviours of those whom we address. Since the human race is composed of billions of individuals, each with a different way of responding, no one approach is universally effective. It is therefore important to learn to express ones self accurately and in a way that will accomplish the purpose toward the individual being addressed. (Lewis & Slade 2000)"
Abstract In this article, the writer focuses on the way in which instant messaging has affected and is possibly changing the nature of interpersonal relationships in the contemporary communications environment. The study focuses on the 18-25 age groups as this is the demographic that has grown up with modern technology as an endemic part of their lives and who are most at home with the technology - and most directly affected by it. The paper also points out that there is a close correlation between the topic of interpersonal relationships in instant messaging and aspects of interpersonalcommunications. The writer notes that the fact that digital communications and interpersonal connections are closely bound in the modern world makes it difficult to discuss these two aspects separately. Therefore, this study also focuses on both interpersonal relationships and modes of communication and their points of intersection.
Outline:
Introduction
IM, Interpersonal Relationships and Communication Conclusion
From the Paper "In other words, the assertion is that while instant massaging facilitates more extensive modes of communications, at the same time it impacts on important aspects of interpersonal behavior that are seen to be detrimental to healthy and positive relationship formation.
"This is a view that may be seen to be somewhat extreme but it does have an element of truth that is reiterated to a certain extent in a number of modern studies. This view also states that there is a certain risk to interpersonal relationships in IM. This refers to the view that we are losing the importance of face-to-face contact and the intimacy that result from conventional interrelationships."
Abstract This paper examines how interpersonalcommunications skills are important in building trust within groups, between people and across differing groups and organizations. It shows how advertisers tap into these types of interpersonalcommunication techniques in order to forge bonds with their target audiences and how lesser-skilled advertisers will often turn off their audience with ill-conceived messages, poorly delivered and often ill timed. Savvy advertisers know that, at least in the American marketplace where there are multiple companies with similar products competing, developing advertisement that, at least, establishes a common bond with its audience via interpersonalcommunications, both verbal and non-verbal cues, will be more likely to be successful.
From the Paper "Important to any group, organizational, or even individual relationship to keep and maintain cohesion is the element of trust. As an example, in the most basic group unit for many people, the family, trust between parents and children, between siblings, and between mother and father, all play a role in a family's cohesion. Through trust, children learn how to interact with those outside of the family, learn how to communicate with the world around them and develop self-esteem, or lack thereof. Because of the tendency for hierarchal relationships in families, people will often learn differing responses for communicating with those in their own age group, and with those older or younger then they are."
Abstract The paper discusses the tendency of adolescents to engage in high-risk behaviors and explores the solution of improving the quality of parent-adolescent communication. The paper reveals that adolescents are likely to do away with high-risk behaviors if there is healthy family communication and a perceived sense of confidence from their parents about making decisions on their own. The paper explains how interpersonalcommunication is used to accomplish four main functions.
Outline:
Parent-Adolescent Relationships
Using InterpersonalCommunication to Parent-Adolescent Relationships
From the Paper "Adolescence is the period where a child goes through profound biological, psychological, and social development changes (Kaplan and Sadock 42). They fight for their independence by pushing the boundaries of parent-imposed limitations. They form social cliques and classify themselves with groups they feel they are most affiliated to. The need for social acceptance, compounded by their natural impulsiveness, presence of clinical depression and self-esteem issues, may put them at risk to make wrong choices."
