Interpersonal Skills
Introduction
In this report, I am firstly, going to define interpersonal skills, that is, what are they and how they affect the way we communicate with each other. I will then identify and analyse the various behaviours and interpersonal skills displayed in Chapter 17 of the film “As Good as it gets”. Effective communication skills present in the scene will be identified and described. Barriers to effective communication in this scene will then be shown and discussed using theories and giving references. After which, I will then make suggestions as to how the two people involved could increase the effectiveness of communication in this scene.
Main Body
Interpersonal Skills Defined: Simply put, interpersonal skills are the tools needed to effectively interact with other people.
(Devito1998) suggests that we engage in interpersonal communication to ‘learn, relate, influence, play and help.’ (p7). Our individual knowledge and practice of key skills in our interpersonal relationships can greatly improve or inhibit the way in which we communicate with each other.
Effective Communication Skills
Looking at the communication in the scene (Chapter 17 from the film “As good as it gets”) we see two people, Carol, a single mother and her mum having a discussion. While there are many improvements that could be made to this dialogue we will first acknowledge what has been done well.
When Carol’s mother first mentions that she has hired a babysitter for Spencer, Carol stops what she is doing, makes eye contact with her mother and states her feelings about it. “I still don’t feel safe leaving Spencer with someone”. For that brief moment Carol stops what she is doing, giving her mother her full attention, which shows her mother that she is listening to her. Carol also looks at her mother. Making eye contact with the person you are speaking to is an extremely important skill when communicating with other people. It shows that you are focused on them. When...
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