Making Friends & Making Them Count by Em Griffin Term Paper

Making Friends & Making Them Count by Em Griffin - Term Paper Example According to Em, â€Å"Friendship is an art†, and the book analyzes the shape of the art. (Griffin, 7-10). The book mainly focuses on the communication aspects required within a relationship. However, it also explains the basic necessities of understanding and maintaining a friendship. Synopsis of the Story: Em Griffin started his book with his views on the interpersonal communication describing it as a â€Å"process of creating unique shared meaning† (Griffin, 13). He took examples of certain games and illustrated them to make the readers understand the importance of communication, and how it is related to a friendship between two persons. Bowling, ping pong, and charades were used by him to compare the communication process in these games and in relationships. He compared the bowling game with communication in the way a ball is delivered by a bowler which passes through a lane and strikes the audience, quite similar to the process by which a sender delivers his messag e which passes through a communication channel and reaches the receiver. Em took ping pong as another example to explain how it takes two people to complete a communication process, like the way the game needs â€Å"two to play†. ... Thus Em used logical examples with the help of games to explain the importance of interpersonal communication. (Griffin, 13-16). Em also described the process of interpersonal communication through ten rules which are: (Griffin 1) â€Å"Interpersonal communication is a process†, (Griffin 2) â€Å"Interpersonal communication starts with the self†, (Griffin 3) â€Å"The chances for effective communication increase as people become aware of their motives for getting together†, (Griffin 4) â€Å"People communicate to reduce uncertainty†, (Griffin 5) â€Å"Words don’t mean things, people mean things†, (Griffin 6) â€Å"You cannot not communicate†, (Griffin 7) â€Å"Without identification, there is no communication†, (Griffin 8) â€Å"To reveal oneself openly and honestly takes the rawest kind of courage†, (Griffin 9) â€Å"Communication is irreversible and unrepeatable†, and (10) â€Å"Communication=Content+Relationshi p†. (Griffin, 18-22). Em stressed on the communication aspect because communication is the most vital factor in any interpersonal relationship. In relationships like friendships, ineffective communication may destroy a relation. On the other hand, according to Em, effective communication, following the above mentioned ten rules may not only build strong relation but also maintain them. Thus, through the ten rules as mentioned above, Em tried to explain that interpersonal communication is a process which encompasses an â€Å"ongoing transaction†. When the transfer and getting of messages occur simultaneously, effective communication occurs. According to Em, interpersonal communication starts with the self because some people have a â€Å"self-concept† which may be an overestimated image and may affect the actions he takes, hurting relationships. When