Communicating Interpersonally-A Social Construction Approach

1.Title:                                 Communicating    Interpersonally                                                                                                                                                                                               

2.Authors                          John Stewart , Karen E. Zedikar,Saskia                                                                     Witteborn                                                                                

3.ISBN                               81-7992-533-1

4.Publisher                        Jaico Publishing House ,  Mumbai                                                                    

5.Pages                               414.

6.Price                               Rs.995.

7.Genre:                         Management ,Psychology,Sociology      

 .

Communication  plays a very important part in all relationships .Yet , we hardly try to learn communication .This book on communication  is  written by  John Stewart  ,  Karen Zedikar  and Saskia Witteborn  , all from  University of Washington--- basically teachers and researchers.

                       I have tried to  distil ten most important points about communication  from this book of 414 pages , as below.These     statements  apply in important relationships including  friendships.

1.Understand  the other person’s  culture , value systems , beliefs and attitudes.

2.Be honest and trustworthy in communication and interaction.

3.Never use  hurtful, aggressive and violent statements.

4.Have respect for the dignity of the other person .

5.Be trusting .

6.Have transparency (open sensitivity).

7.Listen

a)Face the other person  when talking.

b)Maintain eye contact.

c)Make responsive sounds.

d)Select open sensitivity responses.

8.In cyberspace  including social media ,  be careful to present yourself and  relate to others.

9.Follow Universal Rules of Relationships/friendships:

a)Respect the other person’s privacy.

b)Do not discuss that which is said in confidence with the other person .

c)Do not indulge in sexual activity with the other person.

d)Do not criticize the other person publicly.

Communication is a very vast  and complex subject .If you want to read it as a  serious subject , you can read this book  like a text book .Otherwise , it can be left to  he  students of communication .