Inhaling Interpersonal Communication

Inhaling and exhaling is a metaphor used to explore interpersonal communication. According to Stewart, Zediker, and Witteborn (2012), “inhaling combines the two active, interpretive processes of perceiving and listening” (p.163). Perception is a “social and cognitive process in which people assign meaning to sensory cues” (Stewart et al, 2012, p. 163). The way we perceive people is often how we communicate with them, whether impersonally or interpersonally. When we form stereotypes regarding certain people, we often treat them differently and speak to them differently. According to Julia T. Wood (2012), “when a person stereotypes, or totalizes, he or she acts as if a single facet of an individual is the totality of that person or as if that single aspect is all that’s important about the person” (p. 180). As a result, it is important not to form any presuppositions about a person before getting to know them. This is where interpersonal communication comes
209). The output of communication involves openness and self-disclosure (Johnson, 2012, pp. 210-211). Openness “refers to participants’ willingness to share their ideas, feelings, and reactions to the current situation” (Johnson, 2012, p. 210). Self-disclosure is “revealing to another how you perceive and are reacting to that present situation and giving any information about yourself and your past that is relevant to an understanding of your perceptions and reactions to the present” (Johnson, 2012, p. 211). Although a metaphor, exhaling is a major component of interpersonal communication. Interpersonal communication allows a person to be completely open and honest without the fear of being judged. It also shows you are actively taking an interest in the person you are communicating with and that you trust them. It takes communication to build