Interpersonal Communication Reflection

Interpersonal communication is used daily by everyone. Whether with friends, family, or significant others, we must use interpersonal communication to communicate with them. Without interpersonal communication, how could we communicate? Not only is interpersonal communication verbal, but it is also nonverbal. In fact, most interpersonal communication is nonverbal (DeVito). Furthermore, listening skills are also a significant part of interpersonal communication. The health of a relationship is majorly affected by how well two individuals can communicate interpersonally. Taking an interpersonal communication course may not seem necessary to someone who has not taken it. However, the material in this course will be used in every career, as well …show more content…
However, while taking a course focusing solely on interpersonal communication, I came to a realization that there is much more to the subject. From the beginning of the course, I learned concepts that I could apply or have already applied to my relationships. For example, nonverbal communication plays a significant role everywhere I go. On my left finger, I wear a ring. I had never thought about this being a form of nonverbal communication to people that I come in contact with. According to the textbook, Interpersonal Messages by Joseph A. DeVito, a tie sign is a signal that communicates a person’s relationship status (DeVito). My ring is a tie sign that shows how I am tied to my significant other. To me, the ring is not only a tie sign. I wear it because I love and appreciate her. There a countless other examples of nonverbal communication in my life that I learned about in this …show more content…
People tend to say things they do not mean, and it hurts the other person. When this happens, the person is arguing with an I win, you lose attitude. This is a competitive style of conflict (DeVito). I have caught myself behaving like this in my relationship with my significant other. For example, I want to go fishing, but she wants to spend time together. This was a common conflict before we learned how to resolve it. If I chose to go fishing, it would be a win for me. However, it would be a loss for her. I found that the textbook’s statement was true when it said that, “win-win solutions lead to mutual satisfaction” (DeVito). This is true to me because, like countless others, conflict makes me feel uncomfortable. A way for my situation to become a win-win situation I had to take her fishing with me. I get satisfaction from going fishing, and she gets satisfaction because we are spending time