Michael Argyle's Theories Of Interpersonal Communication

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This essay intends to discuss the theories of communication, including Argyle’s theory – which is based on one to one communication – and Tuckman’s theory – which is based on group communication – giving examples in relation to health and social care. Michael Argyle (1972) believed that interpersonal communication was a skill that could be learned and developed similarly to learning to drive a car. He stressed the significance of feedback in skilled activities; what happens around us affects the way we behave. For example, when we drive a car, we must drive more slowly and carefully if there is a wet/slippery surface. Driving involves a constant cycle of observing what is happening, working out how to respond, making responses and then repeating…show more content…
(5) This was “used to describe the path to high-performance that most teams follow”. (6) An example in relation to health and social care to further explain these stages is an alcohol anonymous group in which the members’ overall goal is to help one another stop or at least limit their alcohol intake for their long-term health and well-being. The first stage (forming) refers to people meeting each other for the first time, introducing themselves and sharing information, (7) such as their first names, ages and their reasons for being here; the reasons may include what their problems are and why they want to stop or at least limit their intake of alcohol. This stage of the process is significant in the way it helps to assure members that they are not alone in dealing with this problem and that they can relate to one another (in this case) far better than non-drinkers or at least drinkers without (serious) problems. Feelings of anxiety and reluctances are expected here; this may be because of shyness and/or that they have not yet figured out precisely what work the team will comprise of. (8) Additionally, this can make members have mixed emotions of feeling scared if people will not like and do not accept them and/or happy to meet people, especially those who share this common ground (of trying to deal with an alcohol…show more content…
For instance, when all of the group members (including the person being discussed) agree to giving the one group member a more reasonable target for to act upon – that they should aim for limiting their drinking to 5 units a day to start with – after getting to know the person better and understanding their problems (within a matter of time). Once the group have established common expectations and values, they will reach the fourth stage of being an effectively performing group. (12) In this case, the members of the group will have achieved their goal in successfully helping each other stop/limit their alcohol intake in the long-term, thereby they would more likely have a better health and well-being.

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