COM 200: Interpersonal Communication
Instructor Joseph Tomassini
July 8, 2011
Dear Sara and Tim,
My advice to you for a successful relationship is to be open and honest with each other about how you feel. It starts by identifying barriers to effective interpersonal communication. In fact, being open and honest with your significant other is very important in not creating problems later on the relationship. When you are honest you build trust. According to Pope (2007) the article states “When you’re suppressing communication and feelings during conflict with your husband, it’s doing something very negative to your physiology, and in the long term it will affect your health”. By holding on to grudges it will be detrimental to your marriage.
Over time how we relate to each other constantly changes because our relationships grow. We also change as we get older and as the relationship progresses. It takes time to build an interpersonal relationship in our marriage. Self-disclosure lets us become aware of our partners feelings. By interacting on a daily basis we become aware of our partners wants and their needs. Another important tip is to develop strategies for active, critical, and empathic listening. Sole (2011) found “When you feel as though you can trust the other person, you can trust the other person, you have expectations that you can depend on him or her to care for you and be responsive to your needs”. Share your values, morals and ideas. Make your spouse feel appreciated.
Share your expectations of yourself and your spouse. It is critical if you want a long term relationship. In fact, communication is made possible by having confidence and a mutual understanding. The relationship can than flourish. It leads to less conflict and turmoil
In addition, understand the impact of gender and culture on interpersonal communications. In research studies by Stipe (2007), “In brain-imaging
References: Elizabeth Bernstein. (2010, July 27). Bonds / On Relationships: Fighting Happily Ever After --- There 's a Right Way To Argue and It Can Be Good for Relationships. Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition), p. D.1. Retrieved July 9, 2011, from ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 2092133821). Sole, K. (2011).Making Connections: Understanding Interpersonal Communication. (Ashford University Ed.)San Diego, CA: Bridge pointe Education Inc. Galena Kline Rhodes, & Clara M Stocker. (2006).Can Spouses Provide Knowledge of Communication Patterns? Study of Self-Reports, Spouses Reports, and Observation Coding. Family Process, 45(4), 499-511.Retrieved June 25, 2011, from Research Library. Pro Quest. (Document ID: 1107818904) Jennifer Benjamin. (2010, April).How I Saved My Marriage.Self.32 (4).126.Retreived June 25, 2011 from Research Library. Pro (Document ID: 2011027391) Bryan, Stipe. (2007, November).Why can’t he hear what you’re saying? Redbook 209(5), 188.Retrived June25, 2011 from Research Library. (Document ID:1394231261) Elizabeth Berstein.( 2010,July 27).Bonds/On relationships: Fighting Happily Ever After-There’s a right Way to Argue and It Can Be Good for Relationships. Wall Street Journal (Eastern Edition), p.1.Retrieved July 9, 2011, From ABI/INFORM Global. (Document ID: 2092133821)