Interpersonal Relationships, Essay Example

It is essential to understand the communication skills that one should use for acquaintance, friend, and intimate interpersonal relationships because different modes of communication are seen as appropriate depending upon the level of closeness a speaker shares with the people that he or she wants to communicate with. This is important because it allows an individual to build healthy and positive relationships with those around them (VV&S).

Acquaintance relationships are interpersonal relationships with people we see every once in a while and may communicate with, however we don’t form a close friendship with them outside the context of the situation we know them from (VV&S). An example of this is that I am friendly with my neighbors, and choose to talk to them to see how they are doing. However, these conversations usually stay at an undetailed level and are usually just an exchange of pleasantries.

Friend relationships are with those who I consider close to me, and I’m willing to share a great deal of information with (VV&S). In addition, I either see these individuals regularly, or make a point to contact them by e-mail or phone. An example of a friend relationship in my life is my interpersonal communication with one of my close friends from my childhood. Although we don’t live in the same area anymore, we regularly call each other and try to see each other at least once a month. Even when we aren’t together in person, we always know what is happening in one another’s lives.

Intimate relationships are shared with those you trust the most and disclose a lot of information to. As a result, people in intimate relationships know each other well and communicate frequently (VV&S). An example of an intimate relationship I have is with my wife. We communicate daily about our lives, and this is frequent because we live together. I believe this type of communication makes us even closer.