Importance of talking to people

When people disagree, there needs to be a genuine assessment of common and opposed interests and outcomes. It is often expected that each party will sacrifice some of the opposed interests so that the common benefits, concerns, advantages, and needs may be met and agreed upon. To obtain a genuine assessment of common and opposed interests it is necessary to see the situation from the perspective of the other parties. “Social Perspective-Taking” is the ability to empathize with another person and how that person is behaving cognitively and emotionally. The polar opposite being more linked to egocentrism (being unaware that other perspectives exist). It would be a disadvantage to yourself to assume someone’s own view is incomplete or limited. Talking to people with different perspectives results in: • more information both personal and imper sonal • increases the capacity to phrase messages so that they are easily understood • increases accurate understanding of others messages • increases understanding and retention of the others messages • increases high- quality problem solving abili ties • promotes more positive attitudes towards in teractions There are five important aspects of perspectivetaking. 1. Realising that everyone involved has a unique perspective. 2. A person’s perspective selects and organises what the person experiences. 3. People can have different perspectives at different times of their life. 4. The same message can mean two entirely different things from two different perspectives. 5. Misunderstandings often occur because we assume that everyone sees things from the same perspective as we do. This kind of communication is sometimes a neglected tool. Once comfortable with, it can be a very useful asset in communication, and understanding the world around us!