Assignment:
Interpersonal Communication: Relationship and Skill Improvement Project Guidelines
STAGE I
Choose a communication skill or an interpersonal relationship that you want to improve. Describe how and why the skill or relationship needs improving. Give examples of when you utilize the skill and when you don't. For example, are you more willing to express your feelings with women rather than with men? Are you assertive with strangers, but not with family or friends? Do you get along with others, but can't seem to get along with one particular person or one type of person? Has the relationship always needed mending or did recent events strain the relationship? Describe your past history with the skill or relationship. Why do you think you don't utilize the skill? Was the skill ever modeled for you? What types of relationships were modeled for you? What events shaped your opinion of the skill or the relationship? Note any relevant background information pertinent to the skill or the people in the relationship.
STAGE II
Provide a detailed account of the efforts and strategies used to improve the skill or relationship. Document your experiences as you try to improve your communication.
What did you do to improve a skill or relationship? Did you tell the other person that you wanted to improve your relationship with them? Why or why not? What happened when you incorporated new behaviors in your lifestyle? How did you feel using new communication techniques? How did others react? Were others receptive or resistant to your new behaviors? Document their feedback. Observe the skill being used by others. Practice the skill in various contexts. Does it work better in some situations and not as well in others? Likewise, does it work better with some people and not as well with others? Document the concepts from our textbook or other books, films, etc. that help you improve the skill or the relationship.
STAGE III
Evaluate your overall success in improving a skill or relationship. Analyze those communication techniques that worked and those that failed. What were some key things you learned about yourself? About others? What aspects of this skill or relationship continue to be difficult for you? Do you think the project was worth the effort? Why or why not? How did others respond to the project? What new feelings or thoughts do you have upon completion of this project'?