DIPLOMA IN PLANTING INDUSTRY MANAGEMENT
AT110
INC271
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
GROUP ASSIGNMENT 1
CHAPTER 5, 6, 7 & 8
Prepared by:
NAME STUDENT ID
ANNABELLE MARCEL 2021841214
DEEAAN RONIL 2021616376
JENEVY ELVY DUSIL 2021824134
NURFARAH AYU NAZIERA BINTI JUMRUMRA 2021825166
RESTI BINTI HUSENG 2021611276
Prepared for:
DR. MARIANNE ESTABELLA FUNG
Based on the chapter that you have learned answer the following questions:
CHAPTER 5
a) Describe the potential for misinterpretation in nonverbal communication. Provide
examples of your situations where nonverbal signals were misunderstood and what
are the factors contributing to these misunderstandings (7 marks).
We use body language, facial expressions, and other nonverbal cues in addition to words to
communicate with one other in daily interactions. When someone communicates
nonverbally, they do it without using words. When it comes to nonverbal communication,
misunderstandings happen a lot. This is because people usually don't take into account the
different cultural standards that may be in place, instead relying too much on their own
observations and personal experiences. When I fold my arms when I'm upset or having a
difficulty, whether I'm sitting or standing, my friends frequently ask how I'm doing. This is an
example of a circumstance where nonverbal cues were misinterpreted. It feels numb, which
is why I fold my arms. I feel at ease doing this in my day-to-day activities because I am at
ease and my arms are no longer numb. I usually explain that I'm feeling well and comfortable
and that I'm not insulted, even though my friends often misunderstand me.
Facial expressions could be a contributing component to these misinterpretations because,
when I remain silent, my face usually appears serious and irritated, conveying the idea that
I'm unhappy or experiencing problems. Facial expressions are important in nonverbal
communication because they reinforce the positive or negative interpretation of a message.
Second, variations in culture. Certain cultural norms can be insulting to someone in another,
even when they are deemed courteous or respectable in another. A folded arm conveys
irritation and fury and is interpreted as serious. Apart from that, misreading someone by their
body language. Depending on the person's body shape and manner of carrying themselves,
body language can be misinterpreted. Many people think that this behaviour is a way of
expressing anger or other unpleasant emotions through body language. In conclusion,
nonverbal cues might sometimes be misinterpreted. If people use specific cautions when
evaluating the conduct of others, this problem can be resolved.
CHAPTER 6
b) Discuss the role of active listening in resolving conflicts. Provide an example of a
conflict you've witnessed or experienced and how active listening could have
improved the situation (7 marks).
Understanding perspectives is fundamental in resolving conflicts as it involves active
listening to grasp each party's perspectives, feelings, and needs. This goes beyond mere
hearing, extending to comprehending the emotions and underlying concerns at play. Active
listening plays a pivotal role in building trust and empathy, fostering an environment where
individuals feel heard and understood, thus laying the groundwork for constructive dialogue.
Furthermore, active listening aids in reducing misunderstandings, a common source of
conflicts, by allowing individuals to clarify information, ask questions, and ensure accurate
comprehension of the other person's point of view. It also facilitates open communication,
encouraging honesty and transparency in expressing concerns. This, in turn, promotes
problem-solving as conflicting parties collaboratively identify the root causes of the conflict,
paving the way for mutually acceptable solutions.
Importantly, active listening plays a crucial role in managing emotional responses during
conflicts. Conflicts often evoke strong emotions, and active listening provides a platform for
individuals to express their feelings. Acknowledging these emotions deescalates tension and
creates a conducive environment for resolution.
To illustrate, consider a workplace scenario involving two team members, Belle and Jen, in
conflict over a project assignment. Without active listening, accusations and
counter-accusations escalate the conflict, harming collaboration. However, with active
listening, Belle acknowledges Jen's concerns, leading to a collaborative resolution plan that
addresses responsibilities and provides support. This example highlights the transformative
impact of active listening in conflict resolution within a workplace setting.
CHAPTER 7
c) Explain the impact of self-awareness on emotional competence. How does knowing
and understanding your own emotions contribute to better communication with
others? (7 marks).
A key component of human cognition and emotional intelligence is self-awareness, which is
the capacity to identify, understand, and consider one's own ideas, feelings, actions, and
moral principles. A key component of personal growth is the ability to reflect on oneself. It
affects how people see themselves and negotiate the challenging terrain of their inner and
outside lives.
Self-awareness influences emotional competence in a variety of ways and facilitates
improved interpersonal interactions. Among these is the ability to identify feelings.
Self-awareness enables people to recognise and identify their own feelings. Knowing what
you are feeling allows you to better comprehend how those feelings might affect your ideas
and actions. Emotional control comes in second. You can effectively control your emotions
when you are aware of them. You are able to take action to control and regulate your
emotions if you are aware of the reasons behind your feelings. Making wiser decisions,
preventing impulsive reactions, and keeping your calm under pressure all depend on your
ability to control your emotions.Empathy comes in third. Empathy for others is enhanced by
self-awareness. You can better sense the emotions of others around you by being aware of
your own feelings. This increased empathy makes it possible to comprehend the thoughts
and emotions of others on a deeper level, which promotes more meaningful connections in
interpersonal relationships. Effective communication also takes into account how
self-awareness influences emotional competency and enhances interpersonal
communication.Understanding your feelings enhances your ability to communicate. You can
communicate yourself more simply and honestly when you understand how and why you
feel the way you do. This clarity improves communication quality overall and lessens the
possibility of misunderstandings. Furthermore, self-awareness assists you in selecting the
best communication style according to the emotional situation. Last but not least conflict
resolution. A key component of successful conflict resolution is self-awareness. People with
strong emotional intelligence are better able to handle contentious situations. They are able
to express their wants and worries while being receptive to the opinions of others, fostering a
more positive and cooperative dispute resolution process.
CHAPTER 8
d) Think about your relationships with friends and family members. Share specific
instances where self-disclosure played a crucial role in building trust, intimacy, or
resolving conflicts. Discuss your decision-making process in choosing what to
disclose and when (7 marks).
In the field of interpersonal communication studies, there are many types of conversation,
one of them is about knowledge on conversational disclosure. The self-disclosure
conversation is explained by Joseph A. ReVito (2016) as communication that reveals the
details or information of yourself with another person which can be someone that has a
relationship with us including our families and friends. The significance of self-disclosure is
important in establishing the essential fundamentals in relationships including trust and also
resolution of conflicts as self-disclosure is an influential approach to conversation. But a
self-disclosure conversation without scope of limit is dangerous as Bochner, 1984) stated
that self-disclosure may form relational risks even for relationships that are close or
long-lasting ones.
As this literature of interpersonal communication studies exists, my method of conversation
including self-disclosure is made through systematic decision-making in selecting to disclose
about myself over a person that is near to me where I prefer to make a gradual disclosure in
conversations with people. As for further elaboration of this method, during conversation with
people, I will prefer to provide the opportunity for the person the disclose about herself or
himself. This is the first process to establish an indicator for me to disclosure about myself
where when the person rejected to make own disclosure, this means that person is not
intended or interested to communicate about self-disclosure topics and that is not a suitable
time to make depth self-disclosure. This method that I applied is based on my principle of
communication where in these days, there are moments where people actually don't want us
to disclose about ourselves but they are the ones that want to disclose about them because
they want to be heard.
REFERENCES
1. Joseph A. DeVito. (2016). The Interpersonal Communication Book. 14th Edition.
Global Edition. Hunter College of the City University of New York. Pearson Education
Limited. pp. 225-243.
2. Bochner, A. (1984). The Functions of Human Communication in Interpersonal
Bonding. Handbook of Rhetorical and Communication Theory. pp. 544–621.
3. Silvia, P. J., & Duval, T. S. (2001). Objective self-awareness theory: Recent progress
and enduring problems. Personality and social psychology review, 5(3), 230-241.
4. Wicklund, R. A. (1975). Objective self-awareness. In Advances in experimental social
psychology (Vol. 8, pp. 233-275). Academic Press.
5. Rubin, R. B., Rubin, A. M., & Martin, M. M. (1993). The role of self‐disclosure and
self‐awareness in affinity‐seeking competence. Communication Research Reports,
10(2), 115-127.
6. How can active listening help you identify the root cause of a conflict and find a
win-win solution? (2023, March 14).
