2
XXXXXXXXXXAssessment Description
This assessment asks you to document and reflect on your learning journey through the unit and apply interpersonal communication skills appropriately in a range of contexts.
You should document and reflect on how you have engaged with and applied interpersonal communication skills in a range of contexts.
You should include some of the interpersonal communication skills from this list:
rapport development
listening skills
assertiveness skills
ve
al communication and the use of language
appropriate non-ve
al skills.
cultural difference and diversity in communication
the use of silence and power
your communication in the future.
Your journal should include:
an introductory section (approximately 250 words) setting the context for your journal and what you hope to achieve. Provide an outline of the organisation of the journal.
an entry for each week of the term (200 words) in which you
o identify the key skill you used,
o define it
o provide a detailed account of how you applied it and
o Analyse its effectiveness (how the person responded, your response and feelings about the experience, what might this experience mean in that context? What other perspectives, theories or concepts could be applied to the situation? )
a summary section (approximately 250 words) outlining what you have learned from your journal and how you will apply that knowledge
XXXXXXXXXXASSESSMENT SAMPLE
INTRODUCTION
Today many people still lack the ability to communicate effectively with in interpersonal relationships. By analysing and studying the communication process we can improve our ability to communicate effectively between one another. To have a successful interpersonal relationship one must first interact with others in an informal setting, which is called interpersonal communication. Interpersonal communication is defined as the communication between two people who have already established a relationship and who are in some way ‘connected’ so that both parties are affected by the interaction. This essay is a reflective journal and has two specific objectives. The purpose of this journal is to define interpersonal communication skills and apply those skills in a range of contexts such as rapport development, listening skills, assertiveness skills, appropriate non-ve
al skills and cultural difference and diversity in communication. Furthermore, there will be discussion around personal experiences related to interpersonal communication and how we can use interpersonal communication skills in the future effectively.
Rapport development
Rapport is a connection that is essential for effective interpersonal communication. It can be defined as an emotional bond between people based on mutual liking, trust and a sense that the people involved understand each other’s concerns. Rapport entails a ‘spark’, and an ease of relating. It is feeling comfortable in the presence of others, enjoying their company, feeling special, being yourself, and being liked and listened to. Establishing rapport is the first step to building an effective interpersonal relationship. There are different types of relationships such as friendship, family relationships and professional relationships. Beebe and Redmond XXXXXXXXXXdefined friendship as a relationship that exists over time between people who share a common history. Professional relationships are solely for the purpose of getting your work done and they help you advance your career and would not exist if not for your job. Professional or workplace relationships include colleagues, mentors, client relationships, and networking relationships. However, in everyday relationships, it tends to be a connection and relationship between you and other people (Renukadevi, 2014, p. 62). In this relationship, we focus on sharing feelings, building relationship with friends and co-workers to avoid stress and loneliness. Strategies and skills involved in developing rapport and building a relationship include the principles of effective interpersonal communication (e.g. using appropriate language and nonve
al cues, effective listening, checking meaning, etc.). For example, I work in aged care sector where some residents speak Italian language and I personally do not understand Italian language. In that case, when I do not understand what they want to say, I use nonve
al language and give them signs, clues and face expressions/ appropriate body language which makes it easy to understand and it builds mutual respect between us.
Listening Skills
Listening is an active process that involves receiving, understanding and reacting to spoken and unspoken messages. Communication cannot be said to be complete without the message being passed across getting to the receiver. Effective listening is sharing the meaning of both the words and feelings communicated in ve
al and nonve
al messages. It requires listening with an open mind, non-judgemental attitude, and an ‘other’-orientation. People tend to use one of four personal listening styles, or a combination of styles depending on the situation.
· Content-oriented listeners focus on the content of the message and the quality of the information. They like lots of information from a variety of sources, and thrive on analysis, discussion, and evaluation.
· People-oriented listeners are concerned with the speaker’s feelings and with creating and maintaining positive relationships. They tune into moods and respond to feelings as well as content.
· Action-oriented listeners want to do something and tend to overlook feelings and emotional issues. They encourage speakers to be clear and direct, and to get to the point (Riddall, 2008).
· Time-oriented listeners are concerned with efficiency and speed of the communication. They encourage speakers to be clear and direct to get to the point quickly.
As a self-reflection, I feel I am a very competent listener. I make a conscious effort to really listen when people talk to me and give them attention. I would classify my listening style as 'People-Oriented' as my main objective is to always understand what others are saying and to keep their words in mind. I love being the person that people feel they can come to for advice and support no matter what the topic. One thing that I want to improve is when talking to a time-oriented listener, I should deliver my message as
iefly as possible as knowing the listening style of others allows you to adapt the content and delivery of messages to ensure people hear, listen, and understand what I say.
Assertiveness skills
An assertive communication style promotes effective interpersonal communication. Assertive communication is based on mutual respect, and involves communicating our needs, feelings, thoughts, and opinions openly, honestly, directly, in a confident and non-threatening manner. It also includes taking-responsibility for us without infringing on the rights of others. Assertiveness is the tendency to make requests, ask for information and pursue our own rights and interests . The assertive style is labelled ‘masculine’, though it is not specific to being male.
I believe personal power is necessary to attain in order to live an empowered and fulfilling life and we can attain personal power through developing assertive communication styles. When we learn to be assertive, we are truly recognizing our own feelings and asserting our own needs in a way that promotes positive outcomes. Many of people struggle to be an assertive person in their life. I have also faced many problems because of lacking my self-confidence. Whenever, I try and speak in the public or the unknown place my words stalk in there and get scared that if anything happens. But with the changing of time and my age I try to boost up my confidence and still trying for it more to develop. It is really important for an individual to be an assertive person to be a successful person and also to be an independent individual who can know what is needed for self.
Ve
al communication and the use of language
Language is a dynamic system of communication (including sounds, spoken words, written words and symbols) with rules, conventions, and generally understood meanings. Ve
al communication is divided into written and oral communication. Oral communication refers to speaking words in the communication process. The Another type of ve
al communication is written communication. Written communication can be via letters, newspaper, mail, or email. The effectiveness of written communication depends on the style of writing, grammar, vocabulary used, clarity and precision of language. Other than difficulties in translating words from one language to another, there are differences in intercultural use and understanding of language. Cultural differences have a huge impact on the use of language. There are thousands of cultures and languages around us and Australia being a multicultural country, have so many different cultures . Most people have their own traditional languages and this tend to impact on the way they inculcate it in spoken English. These relate to Ve
al communication styles (e.g. low-context or direct cultures; Australian tend to use language to express information and ideas as clearly as possible, whereas in high-context or indirect cultures, such as Japan, language is used to maintain social harmony) . In the past the use of language has favour the male gender compare to that of the female because most jobs was created for men, which has been a bias on the female gender, until recently where there have been equality in all jobs. Also, a man and a woman can hear the same message but give it different meaning, this is because women are emotional being. Equally, I think it is important to allow men to be vulnerable and
eak the stereotype they have been given. I do think we are moving forward, albeit slowly, as a society to be more acceptive of strong, vocal women, and vulnerable men. But it is something I must actively remind myself of everyday. I have to remind myself to say exactly what I mean, and that I don’t need to “dance around” my point to come across as polite and nice and I also remind myself not to judge a male I meet by their masculinity something society constructed.
Appropriate non-ve
al skills
Nonve
al messages are multi-dimensional we send and receive them through our senses of sight, hearing, touch, smell, and taste, as well as space and time. One is facial expression our faces can depict different feelings like I can frown to show dissatisfaction, smile to show happiness. The other nonve
al communication is gestures this is where movement of a part of a body is involved like I can use fingers to show a number I can also point at something maybe to show directions. I can also use body language as a form of non-ve
al communication like sitting upright to indicate that you are attentive in a class or