IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION

IN INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

SUBMITTED BY
BIDISHA HAZARIKA
BCOM(H) SECTION K
22BC236
What is communication?
◦ Communication is the process of exchanging or sharing ideas, feelings and
information. It is a process necessary to pave way for desired changes in
human behaviour. It can also be defined as the process of transmitting
information from one person to another.
NEED FOR EFFECTIVE
COMMUNICATION
◦ As humans, we are drawn to one another and communicate with each other in
a variety of capacities. There are several roles that each individual fills on a
daily basis, depending on the context of an interaction. What every
interaction has in common is the need for clear and effective communication.
◦ There are several elements that are involved in creating and maintaining
lasting and genuine relationships through communication, two of which are
recognizing body language cues and using effective listening skills. In
correctly making use of these elements, one can see an improvement in the
quality of social interactions, as well as increased confidence in engaging
with others in a social capacity. These benefits can be essential tools in
securing a job or building lasting relationships.
RELATIONSHIP AND
COMMUNICATION
◦ Essentially, it’s the process of people exchanging ideas, information, feelings
and intent through messages and signals. 
◦ Interpersonal communication consists of any exchanges between people – this
can be face-to-face but can also exist online or over the phone. The messages
people get across to each other can be verbal and nonverbal – we
communicate not only through what we say but also through things like body
language, tone of voice, facial expressions and gestures.
HISTORICAL
FRAMEWORK
◦ Traditionally, communication has been viewed as an interdisciplinary field.
Interpersonal communication is most often linked to studies into language, social
cognition, and social psychology. Prior to the 1960s, only a modest amount of
research was completed under the label of interpersonal communication. Heath and
Bryant (2000) marked this time as the origin of the field of interpersonal
communication: Particularly since 1960, scholars adopted communication as the
central term because they wanted to study it as a significant and unique aspect of
human behavior.
◦ The 1960s produced research that impacted the development of an interpersonal
field. Research in psychiatry examined personality and the influence of relationships,
finding that psychiatric problems were not only a result of self problems, but a result
of relational problems as well. Research trends in humanistic psychology and
existentialism inspired the idea that relationships could be improved through
effective communication (Heath & Bryant, 2000).
◦ Research conducted under the title of interpersonal communication initially focused
on persuasion, social influence, and small group processes. Theories explored the
role of learning, dissonance, balance, social judgment, and reactance (Berger, 2005).
Kurt Lewin, a forefather of social psychology, played a considerable role in
influencing interpersonal research pioneers such as Festinger, Heider, Kelley, and
Hovland.
◦ By the 1970s, research interests began to shift into the realm of
social interaction, relational development, and relational control.
This was influenced by the research of such scholars as Knapp,
Mehrabian, Altman, Taylor, Duck, Kelley, and Thibaut. During the
later part of the decade and into the 1980s, the cognitive
approaches of Hewes, Planalp, Roloff, and Berger became popular
along with research into behavioral and communicative adaptation
by Giles, Burgoon, and Patterson. Berger (2005) states: these early
theoretical forays helped shape the interpersonal comm research
agenda during the past two decades
◦ Today, interpersonal communication tends to focus on dyadic
communication, communication involving face-to-face interaction,
or communication as a function of developing relationships.
Research into interpersonal communication theory typically
focuses on the development, maintenance, and dissolution of
relationships. It has been recognized that interpersonal
communication is motivated by uncertainty reduction (Berger &
Calabrese, 1975). Since its introduction in the 1970s, uncertainty
has been recognized as a major field of study that has contributed
to the development of the field of communication as a whole.
UNCERTAINTY
REDUCTION THEORY
◦Both Charles R. Berger and Richard J. Calabrese proposed Uncertainty Reductions Theory to explain the
relationship between individuals who do not know each other much or are complete strangers.
◦According to Uncertainty Reductions Theory, two unknown individuals meeting for the first time go
through various stages to reduce the level of uncertainty between them and come closer to each other.
Strangers must communicate well to know each other better and find out their compatibility level.
◦Following are the stages individuals go through to reduce the level of uncertainty in relationships.
◦Entry Stage
◦The entry stage is characterized by two individuals trying to know each other better.
◦Each one tries to find out the other person’s background, family members, educational qualification, interests,
hobbies and so on.
◦Each one discloses his/her likes and dislikes to strengthen the bond and take the relationship to the next level.
◦Personal Stage
◦In the second stage or the personal stage, individuals try to find out more about their partner’s attitude
and beliefs.
◦Individuals try to know more about the other person’s ethics, values, behaviour and nature on the whole.
Individuals who are no longer strangers learn more about each other’s personality traits in the personal stage.
◦ The Exit Stage
◦ The Personal Stage decides the fate of the relationship. Individuals
comfortable in each other’s company decide to enter into long term
commitments i.e. either formally get married or stay together forever.
◦ Not all relationships flower into marriages. Individuals failing to understand
and adjust with each other decide to mutually end their relationship for a
better future.
◦ The exit stage is characterized by individuals moving out of relationships
in search of a more compatible partner.
SOCIAL EXCHANGE
THEORY
◦ Social Exchange Theory was proposed by George Casper Homans in the year 1958.
◦ According to Social Exchange Theory “give and take” forms the basis of almost all
relationships though their proportions might vary as per the intensity of the
relationship.
◦ In a relationship, every individual has expectations from his/her partner. A relationship
without expectations is meaningless.
◦ According to Social Exchange theory feelings and emotions ought to be reciprocated for a
successful and long lasting relationship.
◦ Relationships can never be one sided. An individual invests his time and energy in
relationships only when he gets something out of it.
◦ There are relationships where an individual receives less than he gives. This leads to situations
where individual starts comparing his relationship with others.
◦ Comparisons sometimes can be really dangerous as it stops individuals from putting their
best in relationships. Don’t always think that you would have a better relationship with
someone else. Understand your partner and do as much as you can for him/her. Don’t always
expect the other person to do things first. Take initiative on your own and value partner.
IMPORTANCE OF EFFECTIVE
COMMUNICATION IN
INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
◦ When communication is effective, it leaves all parties involved satisfied and
feeling accomplished. By delivering messages clearly, there is no room for
misunderstanding or alteration of messages, which decreases the potential for
conflict. In situations where conflict does arise, effective communication is a
key factor to ensure that the situation is resolved in a respectful manner.

◦ Communication is said to be the basis of every interpersonal relationship.

If individuals do not communicate with each other effectively, problems are
bound to come. Without it we can never understand the feelings and emotions
or opinions of others clearly .
◦ Effective Communication helps reducing misunderstandings and removes
doubts or wrong assumptions .
◦ An interpersonal relationship loses its meaning if individuals do not
express their feelings through correct gestures or body language. It is not
always an individual needs to talk to express his /her feelings. Feelings can be
expressed through non verbal modes of communication as well. Our body
movements, gestures, facial expressions, hand movements communicate
something or the other. If we make wrong faces at the wrong time and wrong
place or not look happy and contented for the other person to enjoy your
presence or use wrong eye movements and body postures, the other
person/persons might get the wrong meaning.
◦ Using correct tones and pitch will create an effective communication. If
we use wrong tones with a person from a different culture, we might be
misunderstood.
◦ Choice of words is important. One wrong word can change the meaning of
an entire conversation. The other person might misinterpret it and spoil the
relationship. So it is important to be clear and precise and avoid confusing
words.
◦ Effective communication help the relationship to grow and reach to the
next level. When we communicate effectively regardless of culture, caste,
class, gender, experiences etc. there are chances that the interpersonal
relationship might grow and thus we will be able to connect well
◦ When we understand the other person’s point of view and be a patient
listener we will be able to communicate effectively and have a great bond
with the other.