Interpersonal communication is the technique we use to communicate our ideas, thoughts and feelings to one and other. (Eunson 2012:256) People use visual, written, oral, sense and nonverbal means to communicate. Individuals have communicated with each other for centuries through the medium of letters, telephone, groups with public speaking and one to one conversations. With the introduction of mass media ideas could spread to larger audiences however the means of imparting information required high level skills and equipment not available to the individual. The highly effective tools of the mass media have now become the tools of the individual to use in the digital age to help with interpersonal communication. Electronic communication has
Interpersonal communication requires a form of social intelligence. It’s the ability to cooperate and get alone with others while being aware of situations and social dynamics. It involves a certain amount of insight from ones own perceptions and reaction patterns (Albrecht, 2004). Daniel Goleman, a psychologist uses the term 'social intelligence' to refer to our ability to 'act wisely in human relationships.' He claims that we human beings are hardwired to connect and that the way we make those connections can actually shape our brains, our cells, even our DNA. (Social Intelligence, 2006). Dr. Karl Albrecht, one of the world's leading authorities on human competence, his theory on social intelligence classifies it as a behavior towards others that falls somewhere on a spectrum between “toxic” effect and “nourishing” effect. Toxic behavior causes people to feel angry, guilty, frustrated or inadequate. Nourishing behaviour on the other hand is the complete opposite, causing people to feel valued, respected, encouraged or competent. A pattern of toxic behaviour indicates a low level of social intelligence - not being about to influence or connect with people effectively. While a pattern of nourishing behaviour lets people be more effective with dealing with others; this behaviour indicates high social intelligence. (Albrecht 2004) Interpersonal communication plays hand in hand with social