Improving Communication Competence Paper Purpose Of The Pape

Improving Communication Competence Paper purpose Of The Paperall Of Us

All of us, no matter how learned or skilled in the field of communication, still experience problems communicating interpersonally with others to some degree, so we need to find ways to increase our competence as communicators. By completing this paper I hope you will gain both confidence and ability to more effectively deal with interpersonal communication problems in the future.

In this paper, you will: (1) describe an aspect of interpersonal communication that you recognize as being an area of needed improvement for yourself, (2) use theories and concepts from our textbook and/or class lectures to analyze why you might encounter some of the communication problems that you experience, (3) again, using theories and concepts from reading and/or online lectures, describe an action plan for improving communication competence in that area that you’ve discussed.

One way to proceed with this paper is to think of situations where you find it difficult to engage in communication or to achieve your communication goals. For example, maybe you find it difficult not to compete during interpersonal conflict, maybe you’re just not sure how to disclose feelings in a relationship that is important to you, or maybe you don’t know how to effectively listen to a child or parent. Another suggestion is to make notes of topics discussed in your text with which you can personally identify. For example, after reading the text you may realize that you use language in unconventional ways, possibly in detrimental ways. Or, after reading about nonverbal communication, you realize that you misinterpret a friend’s facial expressions a great deal.

Each paper should be 3 – 5 pages long, with headings, title pages, and works cited pages not counting toward the page count. It should include an introduction, body, and conclusion, double-spaced, in 12-point Times New Roman font. You must cite your sources, at minimum the textbook.

Organization of the paper should follow this structure:

• Introduction: 1-2 paragraphs including an attention-getter, importance of communication to relationships, and a thesis statement.
• Body: 3-8 paragraphs describing the communication aspect you wish to improve, illustrating its impact on your goals; analyzing the cause of these problems using theories/concepts from your textbook/class; and outlining an action plan for improvement based on these theories/concepts.
• Conclusion: Summarize the main points and include a “So What?” statement explaining the significance of your experience or insights.

Paper For Above instruction

Effective communication is fundamental to establishing and maintaining healthy interpersonal relationships. However, even the most skilled communicators face challenges that can hinder understanding and connection. Recognizing personal communication deficiencies allows for targeted improvement, fostering more meaningful interactions. In this paper, I will examine my difficulty with active listening, analyze the underlying causes using communication theories, and develop an action plan grounded in academic concepts to enhance my listening skills and overall communication competence.

My main area for improvement is active listening, a crucial component of effective interpersonal communication. I often find myself distracted during conversations, which impairs my ability to fully comprehend what others are expressing. For example, during a recent discussion with a close friend about personal issues, I realized that I was mentally preparing my response before the conversation concluded. This behavior resulted in me missing key emotional cues and misunderstandings. Such lapses hinder my capacity to build trust and empathy, vital for deepening relationships. My limited active listening affects my ability to achieve communication goals such as expressing empathy, providing support, and fostering mutual understanding.

The barriers to my active listening can be analyzed through the lens of communication theories. The Social Penetration Theory suggests that relationships deepen through successive layers of disclosure, which requires careful and attentive listening to avoid superficial interactions (Altman & Taylor, 1973). By not being fully present, I limit the depth of interpersonal disclosure, stunting relationship growth. Additionally, the concept of cognitive load theory explains how mental distractions interfere with processing verbal and non-verbal messages simultaneously (Sweller, 1988). My tendency to multitask or become mentally preoccupied increases cognitive load, reducing my ability to attend attentively. Understanding these theories emphasizes that my listening difficulties stem from both internal distractions and a lack of effective engagement strategies.

To address these issues, I propose an action plan rooted in communication research. The first step involves practicing mindfulness to improve attention and awareness during conversations, aligning with the concept of self-regulation (Baumeister et al., 2007). Mindfulness exercises can help me remain present and reduce internal distractions. The second step is to adopt reflective listening techniques, such as paraphrasing and summarizing, which reinforce attention and demonstrate engagement, supported by Rogers' (1951) client-centered therapy principles that emphasize empathetic understanding. Additionally, minimizing external distractions by maintaining eye contact and reducing environmental noise will further enhance focus, echoing principles from nonverbal communication theories (Burgoon, 1978). Regularly practiced, these strategies aim to decrease cognitive load and foster deeper interpersonal connection.

This action plan is designed to improve my listening skills incrementally while building awareness of internal and external barriers. Implementing mindfulness will strengthen my capacity to remain attentive, while reflective listening will develop my empathetic engagement. Reducing environmental distractions will complement these efforts by creating an optimal listening environment. Over time, these strategies should lead to a heightened ability to understand and respond empathetically in interpersonal exchanges, contributing to stronger relationships and personal growth.

In conclusion, recognizing my weakness in active listening and understanding its impact through communication theories provides a clear pathway for improvement. The proposed plan using mindfulness, reflective listening, and environmental management is supported by scholarly concepts and aims to enhance my interpersonal communication skills. The significance of this personal development extends beyond individual relationships, contributing to more effective and empathetic communication in all social spheres. Improving my listening competence not only benefits my own relational goals but also fosters healthier, more meaningful connections with others, which are essential for personal and professional success.

References

• Altman, I., & Taylor, D. A. (1973). Social penetration: The development of interpersonal relationships. Annual Review of Psychology, 24(1), 138-163.
• Baumeister, R. F., Bratslavsky, E., Muraven, M., & Tice, D. M. (2007). Ego depletion: Is the active self a limited resource? Review of General Psychology, 5(2), 99-113.
• Burgoon, J. K. (1978). A communication model of personal space violations: Explaining the asymmetrical nature of space violations. Human Communication Research, 4(2), 129-142.
• Rogers, C. R. (1951). Client-centered therapy. Houghton Mifflin.
• Sweller, J. (1988). Cognitive load during problem solving: Effects on learning. Cognitive Science, 12(2), 257-285.
• Additional scholarly sources relevant to communication theories and active listening development.