Interpersonal Communication
While reading the article, Close Relationships Sometimes Mask Poor Communication, I couldn’t help but giggle when reading about the study that took place when researchers asked 24 couples to participate in an experiment. I laugh because this is an ongoing everyday experience. I believe that we all have been in a situation with a spouse, friend, sibling or co-worker where somehow the signals seemed to have crossed somewhere down the line. It’s like Sole puts it in the text, when communicating, there is a sender and a receiver. Before communicating, the sender must encode the idea that he or she wants to communicate or put it into some form or code that the other person can understand. (Sole, 2011) If the other person does not understand the code, he or she will not be able to decode, or interpret the message correctly. This explains the mishap in the article between the couple. Comparing this article to readings from the text, it is clear that interpersonal communication is very important in all aspects of life. Especially when it comes to close relationships. With close relationships on hand, it is assumed that the two can understand each other better than strangers. I strongly believe that when it comes to a personal relationship with a significant other, communication is an important factor that can either make or break the relationship. In this type of relationship, both parties being on the same wavelength can be difficult because in any form of dispute, signals can easily get crossed and/or one person is thinking about how the other person will handle something which will lead to hurt and pain. No one wants to see the other person hurt and this can cause a partner to filter their true thoughts and feelings about any given topic just to make the other person feel better. In my relationship, I do find that sometimes it is so much easier to leave well enough alone and