SOCIAL INTERACTION

                                  

          SOCIAL INTERACTION

Interaction comes from the Latin word "inter" meaning between and "ago" meaning to do or act -  "any action between" is considered an interaction. Across various disciplines, it means something different. What is being considered here however, is a social interaction. Interaction according to Encyclopedia, is a social act of exchange between two or more persons. It can also be termed or used inter relatedly with communication which is the stronghold of every society as man cannot not communicate.

The world according to Alfred Marshall has become a "global village" and it is no mere fact that the human need to interact has brought about phenomenal change in the world of Information Communication Technology. Information can now be shared and received without leaving one's doorstep.

According to John Donne, "no one is an island." This means that all individuals except those who choose to live in isolation, interact with other individuals. Even animals, plants and celestial creatures interact

As said earlier, social interaction is the stronghold of any society. For peace, unity and promotion in diversity, there must be effective interaction. Everyone  from childhood learns to interact; a child is socialised into the society's structure through socialisation. This process never ends. Consciously but often unconsciously, we acquire the act of interaction.

Social interaction is situational. That is, different speaking situation has different pattern of interaction whether verbal or nonverbal. For example, the way one would interact with one's parents will be different from the way one would interact with one's superior at the office. Also, the way one dresses to a party will be manifestly different from the way one dresses for an interview. One may as well begin to wonder how these standards came by. Consider also the manner of communication of a pastor and a policeman when they assume the role in the church and the police station respectively. 

The pastor will be solemn and calmly instructive but may be a hard person at home. The policeman who may be cool at home once he is in uniform differs entirely. He will be authoritative and commanding. Is that not where the respect for their discipline lies? That is how our roles affect our modes of interaction in any speaking situation.

Man is a thinking being. He desires to express himself and wants to be understood; this he does through interaction. 'Muyiwa R writes, " a man is handicapped when denied the opportunity to express himself." Many things may add meaning to life but ability to interact is the honey of every man's life; that is where the fulfilment of existence lies.

That is why psychologists advised parents to stay clear of shutting up their kids whenever they try to express themselves less such end up becoming a coward or find it difficult to communicate as he grows up. Such a child may end up embracing isolation; he withdraws from the society. Isolation kills faster than death.

Effective social interaction helps to build individuals, the individuals build a great relationships, that establishes a great society and institutions for human appreciation.

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