Hi, last week we talked about theory in communication, communication in general. And this week, we will focus on interpersonal communication. We will define interpersonal communication, why is it important, understand interpersonal communication through theory and we will discuss a case study which will show you how interpersonal communication can be looked at and how we can apply it further on. Everyday we are involved in the most common human activity, interacting with others or interpersonal communication. We head off to work and on the way greet those who we meet. We talk with people at work. We discuss our personal issues and concerns with family or friends. We talk with different people while shopping, doing errands, going to the doctor, or taking trip. This multiple encounters differ from day to day but they all underscore that interpersonal communication is an integral part of our lives. With some persons, we engage in a conversation easily, without a second thought. With others, we find it difficult. Intimidating or problem laden and stressful and try to avoid it. Sometimes, we don't know what to say, how to say, or when to say it. Sometimes, we fail to get our message across, which is common by the way, and feel that he or she does not understand me. In some conversations, we find it difficult to listen because of the content, or the manner which the message is presented or we feel frustrated because others do not respond as we expect or pay no attention to what we have to say. These are just a few common problems we experience in interpersonal interactions. Although, many people commonly believe that they are good communicators. Interpersonal communication is a very, very, very complex issue and each of us can always learn how to better manage it. In this part of the course, you will see how theory and research associated with interpersonal communication will inform you in understanding this complex process. You will also learn a number of important concepts and skills that you can apply to your interaction with others to make it more effective. So let's define interpersonal communication. We will refer to it as IPC further on in our lecture. In communication theory, IPC has been defined in multiple ways. Some scholars emphasize that it occurs between two individuals when they are able to provide immediate feedback. Others emphasize it's personalized, it occurs between people who are more than acquaintances. Some other authors emphasize a goal approach. We engage in IPC to achieve personal goals through interactions with others. For the purpose of this course, we will highlight the following characteristics of IPC. It's a special form of human communication. It's different from mass communication which you will study later on in the course. Dyadic involves interaction between two individuals who mutually influence each other. The fundamental means people use to construct, negotiate, and manage their relationships. Although IPC often takes place in the relationships, it can well happen in other social encounters, which do not necessarily imply a long term relationship. It takes place in different contexts, for example family, personal relationships, workplace, social media; involves different degrees of impersonal communication. Some interaction may be more superficial and impersonal. Consider for example you talk with the receptionist while letting her know that you arrived for an appointment. At Other times, we talk to people on the much deeper level, show more emotional involvement and closeness. Impersonal-personal are two extremes of that continuum. Most of our conversations fail somehow in between or along some points of this continuum Meaning is central to IPC. Meaning is understanding meanings expressed verbally and non-verbally, and understanding the meaning, making it cooperative mutual process. Interpersonal communication is the process of message transaction, verbal, non-verbal that occurs between two interdependent persons. Normally, within the context of their relationship, and that as it evolves, helps them to define and negotiate their relationship. So let's move on. The importance of interpersonal communication. There are several points that we have to mention. Affects our physical and emotional health. What that means? IPC is crucial for and in our relationship. It's always to establish, improve, support, or terminate our relationships, not only with the family or friends or significant others but also at work and at school. When relationship go wrong in marriage, it's normally communication or miscommunication, that the couples see as a problem and the major factor for divorce. Research has also shown that using your IPC skills may improve your performance in the classroom. You all know that. Second point, it affects our relationships. Third point, it satisfies our identity needs. We establish who we are, understand who we are through communication with others, satisfies our identities needs, and it satisfies our spiritual needs as well. What do we mean by spiritual needs? Through IPC, we express and validate our beliefs, value, and world view. It also serves instrumental needs. Serves mental needs, what it means? We use communication to get things done. Consider for example manager-employee, teacher-student, or doctor-patient communication. So, let's summarize. Why IPC is important for interpersonal communication? First, it affects our physical and emotional health. Second, it affects our relationships with family, friends, colleagues, et cetera. Third, it satisfies our identity needs. Fourth, satisfies our spiritual needs. And the last, it serves instrumental needs. So now, we have discussed or more correctly, defined what is interpersonal communication. So let's move onto the theory.
