Levels of communication

Nov,2022
Interpersonal communication
 When two or a few people talk face to face
 Every one indulges in an activity
Dialogues, exchanges, conversation,
interviews, group discussions
 Interaction of children with family members
 The interaction of boss with his subordinate (
simultaneously intrapersonal communication
is talking place)
 Chatting with friends
Interpersonal communication

 Intrapersonal communication takes place

inwardly.
 Each person also operates interpersonally
during the exchange.
 Ex: friends meeting after a long time
 Interpersonal communication is a
complicated process.
Interpersonal communication
 An exchange with just two people involves at least three
communication elements.

 Behaviors determine the quality of interpersonal communication.

We are controlled by our behaviors & our behaviors are the
reflection of our:
 Thoughts
 Feelings
 emotions and all these three are controlled by our motives.
 Motives derive our behaviors
 Our behavior determines the quality of our discussion and
effectiveness and the outcome of our discussion.
Common errors

 A dilemma
“ We assume that people would behave
the same way in every situation”
Ex: my friend , a senior officer, a high court
judge………we have informal
relation……..finding a legal problem I barged
in to his room ………
Common errors

 “We try to put every one into consistent

categories”
 We have developed preconceive notions about

every one who comes into our lives.

Example:
 Closefisted person

 Generous…..

We have fixed the people according to their

attributes.
Common errors

 See how we commit errors that effect the

pattern of our discussion with the people

Ex: I have got a personal problem……

consulted my aunt….
On the other hand I have an uncle who is rather
busy but he is a legal practitioner ….
Common errors

 We like the people who advises us

according to our choices
 “ we tend to see and hear that we expect to
see and hear”
 A basic flaw in communication process
 We don't want to see beyond our frame of
reference
Common errors
 “We are too influenced by our first impression”
 We are quick in making Impressions
 We often find ourselves saying “ he is not our sort”
 Why do we do that ?
 In fact with little information we come to conclusion.
 In interpersonal communication we become
judgmental.
 Though it is said that first impression is the last
impression but in communication process it doesn’t
work
Common errors

 We don’t think objectively

 “We are positively influenced when we have
common characteristics with other people”
 Birds of feather flock together
 Take yourself out of the rigid environment
that leads you to the biased judgment
Common errors
 “We are too influenced by apparent negative
points”
 Ex

An efficient ,devoted person ……..couldn’t work in

time….
A bad planner
Long term planning ….superb
Short term planning……weak
What should I do?
Common errors

“We make constant errors because of our limited

frame of reference & self concept”
Ex ;
A lady ……with thatched hut……
Interpersonal communication is
contextual Interpersonal
 Not words, but behavior determines the effect
 Psychological context:

Who you are & what you bring to interaction

Ex: boss……driver has not yet arrived….
 Relational context:

Concerns your reaction to the other person

Ex: mother uses rough language……
Interpersonal communication is
contextual Interpersonal
Situational context:
Deals with the psycho-social “ where” you are
communicating
Ex 1: I interact with my students differently……
Ex 2: If chief executive calls
you…….Scared…………visits himself……..
Interpersonal communication is
contextual Interpersonal
 Environmental context:
Deals with the physical “where” you are
communicating
Time
Noise
Temperature
Ex: If I’m running late………not listen to …..
Interpersonal communication is
contextual Interpersonal
Cultural context:
Non-verbal cues have different cultural
interpretations
Ex: Eye contact……..
…

 CONVERSATION involves unstructured, informal

transaction.
 DIALOGUES are structured & formal transactions
 Interviews involve dialogues
 Job appraisal (directive)
 Non-directive (celebrity)
 Stress interviews (politician)
 Group interviews
…
 Gaining information about others (engaging
with)
 Interpersonal communication builds better
understanding. (specially contextual)
Ex:
He doesn’t mean what I say…
 Establishing identity………..

 Exercising control…. With leadership

quality….
…

 Making friends and establishing relationships

…