Running head: Interpersonal Communication, Self-Concept, and Perception 1
Interpersonal Communication, Self-Concept, and Perception
Purdue University Global
CM206 - Unit 2 Assignment
Interpersonal Communication, Self-Concept, and Perception 2
Every day, you engage in unnumbered interactions ranging from casual conversation to
meaningful discussions. You rarely pause to consider the complex factors that shape these
interactions though. Communication is the cornerstone of human connection and is influenced by
two key factors: how you view yourself and the world around you (Wood, 2019). Think of self-
concept as your belief system about yourself and perception as the lens through which you view
the world around you. Both can affect how you communicate with others and how others
respond to our communications (Wood, 2019). These processes happen automatically, but
understanding their underlying design can modify and enhance how we connect with others
(Wood, 2019). Effective interpersonal communication is heavily influenced by one’s self-
concept and perception, which can explain why some interactions succeed while others do not.
, One place where interpersonal communication plays an important role is when you are a
new employee in a new environment. An important principle for a new employee to remember is
that you cannot avoid communicating (Wood, 2019). You are communicating even when you
aren’t talking (Wood, 2019). Facial expressions and body language are both non-verbal ways of
communicating that we do even when we don’t realize it (Wood, 2019). Even our silence can
communicate our feelings (Wood, 2019). Training yourself to be more aware of what you are
saying when you aren’t talking is important to professionalism. Another important principle to
remember is that effective communication can be learned (Wood, 2019). Finding yourself in a
professional environment where you aren’t communicating effectively isn’t bad. You can
become a competent communicator in any field with discipline and practice. While some are
effective communicators, naturally, there are those who will have to put in a bit more practice to
be the communicators they want to be (Wood, 2019). By embracing these principles and
Interpersonal Communication, Self-Concept, and Perception
Purdue University Global
CM206 - Unit 2 Assignment
Interpersonal Communication, Self-Concept, and Perception 2
Every day, you engage in unnumbered interactions ranging from casual conversation to
meaningful discussions. You rarely pause to consider the complex factors that shape these
interactions though. Communication is the cornerstone of human connection and is influenced by
two key factors: how you view yourself and the world around you (Wood, 2019). Think of self-
concept as your belief system about yourself and perception as the lens through which you view
the world around you. Both can affect how you communicate with others and how others
respond to our communications (Wood, 2019). These processes happen automatically, but
understanding their underlying design can modify and enhance how we connect with others
(Wood, 2019). Effective interpersonal communication is heavily influenced by one’s self-
concept and perception, which can explain why some interactions succeed while others do not.
, One place where interpersonal communication plays an important role is when you are a
new employee in a new environment. An important principle for a new employee to remember is
that you cannot avoid communicating (Wood, 2019). You are communicating even when you
aren’t talking (Wood, 2019). Facial expressions and body language are both non-verbal ways of
communicating that we do even when we don’t realize it (Wood, 2019). Even our silence can
communicate our feelings (Wood, 2019). Training yourself to be more aware of what you are
saying when you aren’t talking is important to professionalism. Another important principle to
remember is that effective communication can be learned (Wood, 2019). Finding yourself in a
professional environment where you aren’t communicating effectively isn’t bad. You can
become a competent communicator in any field with discipline and practice. While some are
effective communicators, naturally, there are those who will have to put in a bit more practice to
be the communicators they want to be (Wood, 2019). By embracing these principles and
