respond to each post separately.
Posr #1
Stewart (2012), describes some aspects of interpersonal communication as inhaling and exhaling. The similarities among inhaling and exhaling and interpersonal communication are distinctive. Both acts of inhaling and exhaling are completed on a subconscious level; however, we can control our breathing. Such as if one holds their breath and releases a long exhale. Within the metaphor inhaling described the process of listening; while exhaling is the communication we express to those we are conversating with. This metaphor is interesting, as I relate it to self-awareness. If we are aware of our breathing and listen to body inhale slowly; there is a process of listening to that intake of air. We at that moment have a conscious control over respiration. When utilizing interpersonal communication, we have the ability you our learned skills to listen actively to others.
Interpersonal communication has multiple processes and the perception within communication is determined by the experience; which is described as selection, organization and inference making, (Stewart, 2012). Selection entails paying attention to sensory cues, (Stewart, 2012). Within communication, individuals can selectively listen or actively listen. “If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.,” (Proverbs 18:13, ESV). We organize cues that are received, which arranges how we take in the information we receive, (Stewart, 2012). This relates to inhaling and exhaling, as during situations; say in a body of water, we see a huge wave. We begin to process the cues and decide when to hold our breath and brace for the wave. And then we would ultimately exhale, when it is safe to do.
Positive communication involves taking time to be aware of the other person and actively listening. Having empathic listening lends to one being receptive to the person speaking, (Stewart, 2012). Being that communication is a process of sending and receiving information; communication can at times be halted, possibly due to the speaker feeling misunderstood or sensing a lack of interest. However, those who are receiving the information, should encourage discussion by the use of verbal or nonverbal cues, paraphrasing or asking clarifying questions, (Stewart, 2012).
Negative communication can occur when the communication is not person centered. There ultimately should be a focus on only with whom you are communication, but with the words and cues that are being exchanged. It is important during the communication process to be open and involved in the discussion, as every communication can equal growth with interpersonal communication skills.
Reference
Stewart, J. (2012). Bridges not walls: A book about interpersonal communication (11th ed.).
New York, NY: McGraw-Hill Education
Post #2>
The metaphor of inhaling and exhaling help further the understanding of interpersonal communication because from the very beginning of our readings, Stewart (2012) explains that interpersonal communication is collaborative. Meaning that we “work together on the meanings that we make” (Stewart, 2012, p. 16). In order to do this, we must be able to effectively listen and appropriately respond – and that is exactly what the metaphor of inhaling and exhaling is all about.
In Stewart’s (2012) own words: inhaling is “the perception and listening parts of the communication process,” while exhaling is to “focus attention on messages that are expressed” (p. 11). This metaphor successfully illustrates to us the relationship between the two. As Stewart (2012) explained, you cannot do the one without the other – if you inhale and do not exhale, you stop breathing. The simplicity of these terms exemplifies the power of communication and how we must be mindful on achieving a better way of communicating with those around us. We must remember that as we communicate, we are “always receiving and sending at the same time” (Stewart, 2012, p. 158). This means that we have to listen to verbal cues and pay attention to nonverbal cues all the time as we talk to others. This also means that we have to make a conscious effort in our minds to put to the side stereotypical assumptions we may have about a person or a particular situation (Stewart, 2012). We cannot effectively communicate if we are too busy paying attention to what we believe to be true in our heads.
This is where listening comes in. To effectively listen, one must have a variety of skills, for instance: “accurate receiving, retaining information, sustaining attention, attending to your own speech, and encouraging the person you are listening to” (Stewart, 2012, p.186). This means that listening is not only just hearing the person speak, but actually taking in the words, focusing on them, realizing what the person is meaning, remembering what they have said, and respond accordingly (Stewart, 2012). This makes listening a very important part of the inhaling and exhaling process and without it, interpersonal communication cannot be successful.
