Interpersonal communication

The concept of interpersonal communication (or interpersonal communication ) includes communication or communication processes from the perspective that people ( people) are the communicants. This perspective is more specific than the more general view of communication, be involved in all living things. Interpersonal communication can be viewed as part of social interaction. What is described as interpersonal communication, primarily depends on the conditions under which "man" viewed and with what terms he describes. In science speak of " modeling ".

Interpersonal communication is often discussed in terms of their function in interpersonal relationships. The focus is not the communication process and its conditions in the center of attention, but also the results: It is discussed how people put through their communication to each other. Interpersonal relationships are analyzed and evaluated on the basis of the observation of communication.

Description and modeling of the " communicating people "

The man is described in terms of communication under the following perspectives and modeled with different terms:

Description of humans as social beings and jointly developing

A key requirement in the description of man as a communicant is to see people as social beings. Closely related to the aspect of the development is to describe ( this is called " evolutionary approach "). Beginning with the birth parents are always other people there, participating in the development of a person and his or her personal identity. Even in adulthood participation is essential to a community in a general sense. This also applies if someone is on his for a certain period. The modeling of the man as a social and creative beings also means people are no longer isolated and to be regarded as finished individuals and to describe. In the observation and description of communication, this is especially true: Communication is a process in which something is changed and evolved; and communication is done with other people (talking to myself in this context not as interpersonal communication considered ).

Under this condition, communication can be considered as a key factor in development. People can develop on other only with respect by approaching them and can be distinguished from them; this is done among other things in communication. To develop through communication further includes participation: people rely on the experience and skills of other people. Interpersonal communication is no longer described today as a rule, without considering the aspects of development and an existing community. Also in brain research is referred to as the Community: Apart from a few innate vocalizations, facial expressions and Gestiksignalen there are humans genetically guaranteed meanings of characters, words and sentences.

The distinction between individual and social interests could be following apply: Language as a system of signs and as a form of action is essentially socially to view; No one has his language and his speech taught alone. At the same time there are individual shares in the use of linguistic signs and in speaking. This distinction is still analytically, i.e., that for the purposes of description rather is dissolved in components does not appear ( a phenomenon ) in the observation. It is observed linguistic communication as a process between Multiple - the distinction is then applied to this observation.

Description of man as a doer and experiencer

The visible behavior of a human being - that is, his reactions, body movements, posture and its expression in the environment - planning and goal setting can be assumed. In this case, it is assumed that the person acts in which he rated situations, goals, and pursues forms, action plans designs and tries to realize. The communication purpose is in this modeling in the most general form is solved by communication problems.

Moving on can be modeled in terms of the experience that people cope with new situations with the aid of empirical structures simpler, they have made in previous situations. The totality of experiences can be referred to as experiential horizon or individual world theory.

For a description of man as a doer also includes the ability to think (in general: for reflection). Thought and imagination helps to distinguish real and Possible and thus go beyond specific situations experienced. This also includes the area of fiction, the stories and fairy tales.

Delineation of man to animals

In some discussions, the person is viewed as a particular living beings ( " special position of man" ). Man is - seen as more open to change and development - as a living compared to other living organisms ( animals). It may on the one hand to respond more flexibly to the changing conditions of its environment, on the other hand it can affect its surroundings more than animals. This becomes relevant when counting as specifically human characteristics, deemed to be the prerequisites for interpersonal communication. On the other hand, specifically human characteristics are viewed as a result of interpersonal communication.

Language as a communication medium

Language is viewed as a medium, takes place in the communication. Language is seen as a sign system and as a special kind of action. The emergence of linguistic signs and linguistic action is viewed in part as a crucial step in evolution. With the help of linguistic signs and actions of experiences can be named and defined ( categorized ) are. In collective action Others may be referred to such experiences. In this way, contributes to the emergence of linguistic communication community. Man needs, for example, no longer make all the necessary experience myself, but he can share in the experiences of others.

Language as a communication medium can be divided into speech and writing. By writing communication becomes less dependent on spatial and temporal constraints. Written to be read again and again at different locations and over long periods of time and understood. This contributes to the establishment and dissemination of knowledge. The development of writing and the invention of printing by Gutenberg in this regard are considered outstanding historical events.

Forms of communication

Interpersonal communication occurs not only in spoken or written language, but also non-verbally through facial expressions and gestures ( sign -supported communication ), through tone and rhythm ( vowels communication ), through proximity and touch or distance ( proxemics ) and with the use of aids.

The view of mime and high school teacher Samy Molcho, according to the proportion of non-verbal communication affects more than 80 percent of the responses. In addition to the facial expressions and gestures is also the posture strongly active ( to others and to itself). This topic is relevant to sign language, supported communication and sales psychology. In explanations of this kind, the iceberg model is being used.

Interpersonal communication as a process with general and special conditions

General conditions determine the communication process in all situations; with their help, communication processes generally explain. Special conditions are dependent on the situation; with them, the course of specific communication processes explain. General and special conditions can be described with the help of various distinctions.

Interpersonal communication in interpersonal relationships

Interpersonal communication is addressed by therapists and psychologists. The therapists observed interpersonal relationships based on the way how both people communicate. In German-speaking Paul Watzlawick and Friedemann Schulz von Thun are called. Paul Watzlawick no longer releases described only in terms of what is said or what is asserted - the " content" - but also from the point of how a speaker sits down with the help of what is said in relation to the listener - the " relationship aspect ". Watzlawick understands each message so far as personal opinion on others. Schulz von Thun extended the distinction between content and relationship aspect enhanced by the ' self-disclosure "and" appeal ".

The special attention is paid to pathological relationships that can be observed in disturbed communication based, and should be dealt with by the therapist. Faults and failures understandings arise from the fact that producer and recipient ( speaker and listener, less precise than "sender" and " receiver " refers to ) review what has been said differently.

Once people perceive each other, to give them a Correlated behavior can be observed. Paul Watzlawick sees the entire related behavior as communication and summed this together in a " meta-communicative " axiom: "One can not not communicate ." Under this axiom creates a very comprehensive communication concept. For example, silence and looking away as the statement "I do not want to talk now " be interpreted. A denial of communication would therefore already communication. This is against the background of therapeutic goals, is on the interpersonal to the therapist the (pathological ) relationship in the foreground.

Ways of interpersonal relationships that affect interpersonal communication, the setting for the communication partners (see empathy). She sits among other things a good deal with their own emotions ahead (see Emotional Intelligence, Daniel Goleman ). The social status and social function exerted influence communication. Same messages can be understood in different ways when the speaker is seen in different roles - for example, in the role of colleagues or superiors. The analysis and description of these ways to relate to each other, often go beyond communication processes.

Various ambiguities can hinder interpersonal communication. These include uncertainty about the communication purpose: sometimes it is unclear what the speaker wants to achieve. This may also relate to the speaker himself. Not sure of the communication in the currently applied social function can also hinder communication. It may be necessary, for example to determine whether something is meant in the role as a colleague or as a boss, as a politician or as a private citizen.

Understanding and Miss understanding ( as a process and result )

Understanding runs against a common cultural background and is focused on compatibility ( compatibility) of experience. It may happen that the perceived uniformity of character body - will be closed on the same meaning - for example, the same pronunciation or spelling of words. However, this is not always the case, because the meanings arise always in front of the personal background of experience. The more different the experience backgrounds and the characters associated with the meanings, the higher the likelihood of misunderstandings. This also applies for direct language.

At the level of interpersonal relationships misunderstandings can be promoted by the kind of self-expression: people try to influence how they are perceived from case to case. This happens, for example, by showing off, by stealth or by demonstrative self- reduction. This complicates the communication partners, the assessment of the other. Miss communication can also occur when the to implicitly in the statement meant, is too indirect or diffuse or if the receiver of the message does not recognize the ambiguity or irony of what is said. This can have several reasons, such as the avoidance of provisions, fear of rejection, the desire to save face (see embarrassment, humiliation ).

Miss communication happens often. The awareness about it is a prerequisite to avoid Miss understanding. The probability of poor communication in the communication process can be reduced by various measures. These include, for example,

• To prepare for the situation and the others ( if possible ),
• ( Avoid ambiguity ) to define terms precisely and
• To give feedback,
• Notify the communication partner what one has understood
• The speaker on various aspects that have remained unclear or incomprehensible question.
• Ask the communication partner to describe what is meant again with other words (to paraphrase ).

Limits the reliability of communication

The complexity and the general conditions of interpersonal communication have meant that the understanding is not always achieved. Communication becomes unreliable, that perception is selective and focusing on others is not always one hundred percent possible. This problem shows up on every level of human communication. Communication can therefore be described as generally unreliable.

Interpersonal communication as a research area

Various disciplines are also dealing with interpersonal communication.

• Rhetoric
• Media Studies
• Speech act
• Social Psychology
• Linguistics
• Semiotics

• Basic research: face-to- face communication; interpersonal communication (English for " interpersonal communication " ) as the core of sociality; Research on social competence and self- perception;
• Development of the ability to speak in the course of the Incarnation; Communication as a basic human need
• Interpersonal communication and technical communication
• Body language
• Communication in business ( as a competitive factor )
• Communication in Health Care ( patient participation in decision-making )
• Communication in organizational development and human resource development: leadership styles
• Human-centered computer- integrated newsroom
• Social groups in the profession and their efficiency
• Problem-solving and emotional intelligence
• Bullying