Psychology

Communication is the action or exchange of information, thoughts, ideas and feelings or anything that one wants to pass over to another person. Communication is done either verbally, writing, signals or body language, as long as the message has been transmitted, that is communication.  In a workplace, constant and effective communication is vital in the organizations productivity and success.  Being able to correctly publicize instructions andor information, the faster the work will be made in a much accurate manner.

Interpersonal Communication Defined
Interpersonal Communication is the process of message transaction between people (usually two) who work toward creating and sustaining shared meaning (West Turner, 2009, p.8).  Interpersonal communication is the act of sending and receiving or an exchange of information, thoughts, feelings, and ideas between two individuals or parties. 

Interpersonal communication goes through a process that includes four elements.  These are the sender, who gives out the information receiver, one who receives the information the message, the information that was given, and the feedback, which is the reaction or answer to the message given.

Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Effective interpersonal communication may be achieved by 1. Treating each other with respect. By valuing ones thoughts and feelings makes the other feel that they are worth listening to and that what they have to say matters and is important. 2. Dont interrupt one another. Allowing one other to speak freely makes the communication lines clearer than of not. The information is given with clarity thus, the conversation becomes more enjoyable and informative. 3. The right to pass. This is an indication that we maturely make wise decision and choices not to control or change other peoples perception or views. 4. Speak for yourself. Speaking for yourself means to talk about you, your feelings and thoughts. Do not put words in someone elses mouth. It is impossible to speak of someone elses thoughts and feelings. Let that person express themselves. 5. That we speak but not too often and too long. Filling in the gaps or the air time is generally okay, but when we speak for a long period of time, we might already be boring and taking much time of others and leaving them no room to say something or let out their own thoughts. 6. Challenge the behavior and not the person. This is pointing out the persons behavior and not attacking him or her personally. Though it is hard to put our emotions aside when in a heated conversation, however, it is also ethical and professional to let your cool down and addressing the misbehavior and not the one you are speaking to. Being able to separate these two things will make wonders and help you achieve interpersonal communication in your work place. 7. Confidentiality.  It is never polite to talk about someone about something without their consent or knowing.  This is especially true, when one has approached you for something or opened up to you and later telling everyone about the conversation. Respecting another ones privacy will win you the respect of your colleagues and co-workers and subordinates as well. 8. Its okay to make mistakes. We are only human and we were created to make mistakes. Committing mistakes are occasions and chances for growth. Without the mistakes that we make, we will not learn from them and unable to learn is being stagnant. Evolving is a mans must do in order for him to survive.

Conflict
Conflict is an expressed struggle between at least two interdependent parties who perceive incompatible goals, scarce rewards, and interference from the other party in achieving their goals ( HYPERLINK httpwww.members.tripod.comnwacc_communicationid21.htm)
httpwww.members.tripod.comnwacc_communicationid21.htm). When there is a difference of opinion between two parties, and that both believe that their opinions are exclusive, chances are there is a conflict.  Although the term conflict does not really make a ring to the ears, conflicts can also be beneficial to both parties.  Being able to voice out and make your thoughts known, this can be educational and informative to each one. From here, it becomes a learning experience and help one another grow and develop themselves.

Techniques on Reducing Conflict in a Conversation
When we are in a gathering, be it in a party or at work there is always the possibility of getting into a heated conversation. It is all but normal and natural for individuals to feel this way especially when opinions do not match. However normal this situation may be, there is always a good and healthy way of doing things and addressing them. Going head to head with another person will most likely get you nowhere and probably gain more enemies than friends.  There are ways to rationally get out of a conflicted argument or conversation. According to DBR Alternatives, Inc. in one of their on-line pages entitled, Interpersonal Conflict and Effective Communication, there are 5 techniques to reduce conflict. These are a. the Defusing technique.  Your goal is to address the others anger and you do this by simply agreeing with the person. When you find some truth in the other point of view, it is difficult for the other person to maintain anger. For example, I know that I said I would call you last night. You are absolutely right. I wish I could be more responsible sometimes. The accusation might be completely unreasonable from your viewpoint, but there is always some truth in what the other person says. At the very least, we need to acknowledge that individuals have different ways of seeing things. This does not mean that we have to compromise our own basic principles. We simply validate the others stance so that we can move on to a healthier resolution of the conflict. This may be hard to do in a volatile situation, but a sign of individual strength and integrity is the ability to postpone our immediate reactions in order to achieve positive goals. Sometimes we have to lose in order, ultimately, to win. B. Empathy Try to put yourself into the shoes of the other person. See the world through their eyes. Empathy is an important listening technique which gives the other feedback that he or she is being heard. C. Exploration Ask gentle, probing questions about what the other person is thinking and feeling. Encourage the other to talk fully about what is on his or her mind. For example, Are there any other thoughts that you need to share with me D. Using I Statements Take responsibility for your own thoughts rather than attributing motives to the other person. This decreases the chance that the other person will become defensive. For example, I feel pretty upset that this thing has come between us.

This statement is much more effective than saying, You have made me feel very upset. And, E. Stroking Find positive things to say about the other person, even if the other is angry with you. Show a respectful attitude. For example, I genuinely respect you for having the courage to bring this problem to me. I admire your strength and your caring attitude.

When trying to communicate and express your thoughts and ideas, though faced in a tight situation of variance there are ways to reduce if not avoid clash or conflict. And if avoiding and reducing is not possible and find yourself in a snag, there are ways to resolve arguments and still achieve something positive and productive.

Resolving Conflicts
It has been mentioned that interpersonal communication is an act of transmitting information, feelings, thoughts and ideas.  Because emotions and feelings are involved, conversations may get heated up and turn into something that you hope to be productive and positive actually turns into an argument. There are ways to counter and resolve a heated up conversation. The first rational way in resolving conflicts is, identify the problem. Talk and understand each others problem or dilemma. Listen to what the other has to say and speak when it is your time to.  Second, think of possible solutions. Two heads are better than one. Talk amongst yourselves and carefully discuss what your options are. Third, decide on the best solution. Choose a solution that not only suit you but is acceptable to both of you. Fourth, Implement the chosen solution. Agree on the details and activity delegation. Make clear of who is responsible for implementing one thing from the other. And Fifth, evaluate the solution. This is a work in progress. Check among yourselves if the solution is working or not. Is it doing you and the other good.