REVISION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS    

Q1. There are many obstacles which can affect human relationship. These obstacles can go a long way to hinder good relationship among individuals, thereby creating ineffective human relations. Justify this statement.

1. BARRIERS TO EFFECTIVE HUMAN RELATIONS

There are many barriers/obstacles which can affect human relationship. These barriers/obstacles can go a long way to hinder good relationship among individuals, thereby creating ineffective human relations. The following are the barriers to effective human relations.

1.     Social barrier

2.     Communication barrier

3.     Physiological barrier

4.     Psychological barrier

5.     Fear of failure

6.     Emotional barrier

7.     Cultural barrier

8.     Past experience

9.     Time pressure

10.  Complexity in organizational structure

1. SOCIAL BARRIER: First and foremost, social way of life has to do with the way an individual relates with other individuals, his environment and other groups of people. This can be seen in the behaviour of an individual. Social factors such as status, gender, age, social-economy acts as barriers to human relations in the sense that a child may not be able to relate socially with an adult considering the age difference. Also, a male counterpart finds it difficult to some extent with a female counterpart. More so, an extrovert individual may not be affected socially, but an introvert individual contributes to a large extent to ineffective human relations in certain situation.

2. COMMUNICATION BARRIER: Communication can be seen as a means of exchange of information between/among individuals, family members, organizations or even institutions. When communication is ineffective, it hinders a good relationship among individuals and could be a barrier to effective human relations. In order words, communication plays a major role in developing a relationship.

3. PHYSIOLOGICAL BARRIER: When an individual is faced with physiological problems such as poor sight, poor hearing, mental retardation, speech impairment and other physical diseases like Ebola and AIDS; Such individuals or group of persons finds it difficult to relate freely with other normal individuals, they see themselves as been disabled or abnormal and this can lead to ineffective human relations.

4. PSYCHOLOGICAL BARRIER: Psychology has to do with the study of human mind or behaviour. It can be seen also as the mental, emotional and behavioural characteristics pertaining to a specific person or group. Psychological factors such as distrust, unhappy mood, misconception, Jealousy and people’s state of mind can cause a great damage to effective human relations; also, personal problems such as stress, hatred, bitterness, anxiety and worries can also affect human relations.

5. FEAR OF FAILURE: Every human fears to fail, and if an individual finds his/herself in an environment where their failures are not accepted as mistake, they fear to fail. The reality is that everyone makes mistake and if managed appropriately, mistakes can be an excellent learning experience to improve performance, promote innovations and improve operation. But if these fears are not recognized and room for failure are not given adequate development and trust, then such individuals fear to be condemned.

6. EMOTIONAL BARRIER: The emotional state of a person or an individual at a particular point in time goes a long way to affect human relations, if an individual feels rejected or abandoned, this can cause physiological change and will affect free human relationship.

7. CULTURAL BARRIER: Culture is the sum total of people’s way of life, that controls the behaviour of an individual. When an individual has a different perspective about norms, values or behaviours, such individuals find bit difficult to relate freely with the culture he/she does not understand. Cultural differences/tradition stands as a barrier to effective human relations.

8. PAST EXPERIENCE: Experience they say is the best teacher, previous experiences with individuals seem to go a long way in bringing barrier to effective human relations. In a situation whereby previous relation or interaction with individual group of people is unfavourable, the said individual may be afraid of engaging another victim of such. One good turn they say, deserves another but as the reverse is the case, the past experience leads to barrier to effective human relations.

9. TIME PRESSURE: Quality time spent with your friends can attract cordial relation with each other or group of people. Lack of quality time, little or no time with friends, relation or group of people can lead to big barrier to effective human relations in as much as no time to speak listen, discuss. Pay attention to each other.

10. Complexity in organizational structure: Human being as a complex animal due to some inconsistence in behaviour or attitude, changing from good to bad; the opponent may be getting cold and this can lead to barriers to effective human relations.

Q2.   (a)   Communication is an important component of human relations.

                 Discuss this assertion.

         (b)  With concrete examples briefly explain the following terms:

                (i) Eye contact (ii). Respect (iii) Motivation (iv) Honesty.

2. (A) COMMUNICATION:  When there is a relationship communication has taken place either in verbal or non-verbal. Therefore, effective communication may be cited as the most important components of sound human relations. Despite the recognition of the importance of communication, it represents one of the most difficult and perplexing problems faced in modern organization. Communication: therefore, begins with language, the distinctive ability which has made possible the evolution of human society. With language any message, no matter how complex, can be conveyed between people over a limited distance - within a room or place of assembly, or across a short open space. In modern times 'town criers' hold an annual contest to discover which of them can shout a comprehensible message over the greatest distance. The world record is less than 100 metres. Already, at that short range, a more practical alternative is to run with the message.

Communication can occur in two ways either nonverbal or verbal:

Nonverbal communication describes the process of conveying meaning in the form of non-word messages. Examples of nonverbal communication include haptic communication, chronemic communication, gestures, body language, facial expression, eye contact, and how one dresses. Speech also contains nonverbal elements known as paralanguage, e.g. rhythm, intonation, tempo, and stress. There may even be a pheromone component. Research has shown that up to 55% of human communication may occur through non-verbal facial expressions, and a further 38% through paralanguage. It affects communication most at the subconscious level and establishes trust. Likewise, written texts include nonverbal elements such as handwriting style, spatial arrangement of words and the use of emoticons to convey emotion.

Nonverbal communication demonstrates one of Watzlawick’s laws: you cannot not communicate. Once proximity has formed awareness, living creatures begin interpreting any signals received. Some of the functions of nonverbal communication in humans are to complement and illustrate, to reinforce and emphasize, to replace and substitute, to control and regulate, and to contradict the denotative message.

Verbal communication: Effective verbal or spoken communication is dependent on a number of factors and cannot be fully isolated from other important interpersonal skills such as non-verbal communication, listening skills and clarification. Human language can be defined as a system of symbols (sometimes known as lexemes) and the grammars (rules) by which the symbols are manipulated. The word "language" also refers to common properties of languages. Language learning normally occurs most intensively during human childhood. Most of the thousands of human languages use patterns of sound or gesture for symbols which enable communication with others around them. Languages tend to share certain properties, although there are exceptions. There is no defined line between a language and a dialect. Constructed languages such as Esperanto, programming languages, and various mathematical formalism is not necessarily restricted to the properties shared by human languages. Communication is two-way process not merely one-way.

An Effective Communication Process*:

• Use standard terminology when communicating information. • Request and provide clarification when needed. • Ensure statements are direct and unambiguous. • Inform the appropriate individuals when the mission or plans change. • Communicate all information needed by those individuals or teams external to the team. • Use nonverbal communication appropriately. • Use proper order when

Components of Communication Process: The main components of communication process are as follows:

Context, Sender / Encoder, Message, Medium, Recipient / Decoder, Feedback,

FACTORS OF COMMUNICATION: Environmental setting, Distance from the other person, Posture, Hand gesture, Facial expression and eye contact and Voice quality.

(B) EYE CONTACT: -

(i) Eye contact is the act of looking directly into another person’s eye (i.e. it occurs when “two people look at each other’s at the same time.”)

Psychology: a meeting of the eye of two persons regarded as a meaningful nonverbal form of communication.

Eye contact and facial expressions provide important social and emotional information. People, perhaps without consciously doing so, search other's eyes and faces for positive or negative mood signs. In some contexts, the meeting of eyes arouses strong emotions.

(ii) Respect: In relationships respect is absolutely essential, but when there is not a good definition of respect, or an understanding of respect, it is usually lacking. Can anyone imagine being with someone where the actions of one do not honor the other?  Therefore, the single best term to define respect is: honor.

“It means valuing each other’s point of views. It means being open to someone wrong. It means accepting people as they are. It means not dumping on someone because you are having a bad day. It means being polite and kind always, because they are different to you. It means not gossiping about people o spreading lies”

From the above definition we can show honor thus:

§  Been kind.

§  Valuing other people’s points of view even if we disagree with it.

§  We accept everyone else as they are, even if we don’t agree with their actions.

§  We don’t lie about anyone. We don’t gossip about them.

Regardless of how good or bad a relationship is, showing respect to your partner is essential for the relationship to last. So marriage relationship can also endure for life if there is respect in the relationship.

(iii) MOTIVATION: Motivation is generally defined as the force that compels us to action. It drives us to work hard and pushes us to succeed. Motivation influences our behaviour and our ability to accomplish goals.

There are many different forms of motivation. Each one influences behaviour in its own unique way. No single type of motivation works for everyone. People’s personalities vary and so accordingly does the type of motivation, that is most effective at inspiring their conduct. Types of Motivation: Incentive, Fear, Punishment, Achievement, Growth, Power, Social, etc.

Factors influences motivation in human relations: Family, Teachers, Peers, Employer, Co-workers and Friends.

(IV) HONESTY: Honesty has several connotations that is to say honesty typically refers to a situation characterized by the following aspect one party (trustor) is willing to reply on the actions of another party (trustee), the trustor (voluntary or forcedly) abandons control over the actions perform by the trustee. As a consequence, the trustor is uncertain about the outcome of the other’s action they can only develop and evaluate expectation. The uncertainty involves the risk of failure or harm to the trustor if the trustee will not behave as desired. Honesty can be attributed to relationships between people, it can be demonstrated that human have a natural deposition to trust and to judge conceptually. Honesty is also attributable to relationship within and between social groups, families, friends, communities, organisations, companies and nations. It is popular approach to frame the dynamics of inter-group and intra-group interaction in term of trust. The degree to which one party trusts another is a measure of belief in the honesty fairness, or benevolence of another party.

Honesty is an important aspect of character that is the basis of building trust with another and ourselves. Each of us must learn the value of honesty through our own experience and in our own way. There are times in life when we are tested in regard to honesty and when  we may question whether the truth is  always necessary , but truth  is always the ultimate standard  is a dilution of  honor ,  validity and credibility of human kind. It is our duty in pursuit of personal integrity and for legitimacy of all human trust to adhere to honesty with deepest deviation and sincerity of heart.

Q3.      (a) Enumerate types of conflicts and succinctly explain conflicts management in human relations.                              

            (b) Explain clearly with good and relevant examples five do’s and don’ts in human relations.

3 (A) TYPES OF CONFLICTS

 CONFLICT IN HUMAN RELATIONS: Conflict arises from differences, both large and small. It occurs whenever people disagree over their values, motivations, perceptions, ideas, or desires. Sometimes these differences appear trivial, but when a conflict triggers strong feelings, a deep personal need is often at the core of the problem. These needs can be a need to feel safe and secure, a need to feel respected and valued, or a need for greater closeness and intimacy. Some truth about conflict in human relations: a conflict is more than just a disagreement, conflicts continue to fester when ignored, we respond to conflicts based on our perceptions, conflicts trigger strong emotions and conflicts are opportunities for growth.

TYPES OF CONFLICTS: Intrapersonal conflicts, Interpersonal conflicts and intergroup conflicts.

CAUSES OF CONFLICTS: Organizational structure, Limited Resources, Task Interdependence, Incompatible Goals, Personality Differences, Communication Problems. 5 marks.

METHODS OF CONFLICTS RESOLUTION: The win-lose approach, the lose-lose strategy and win-win approach

Healthy and unhealthy ways of managing and resolving conflict

Unhealthy responses to conflict:

Healthy responses to conflict

An inability to recognize and respond to the things that matter to the other person

The capacity to recognize and respond to the things that matter to the other person

Explosive, angry, hurtful, and resentful reactions

Calm, non-defensive, and respectful reactions

The withdrawal of love, resulting in rejection, isolation, shaming, and fear of abandonment

A readiness to forgive and forget, and to move past the conflict without holding resentments or anger

An inability to compromise or see the other person’s side

The ability to seek compromise and avoid punishing

The fear and avoidance of conflict; the expectation of bad outcomes

A belief that facing conflict head on is the best thing for both sides

(B) DO’S AND DON’TS OF HUMAN RELATIONS

Human relations can be seen as a discipline within resource management which addresses interpersonal behaviours. Factors that are considered include leadership; communication; team building; and negotiation, facilitation and mediation abilities.

The phrase “Human relationss” can form a self-acronym HUMANRELATIONS which could be used to state the DO’S and DON’TS of human relations according to Robert Endurance. It can be shown as follows:

H -       Have self-control

U -       Understand other peoples’ point of view

M -      Make others interest your own

A -       Admit when you are wrong

N -       Never Criticize publicity

R -        Reason, don’t argue and Respect agreement

E -        Explain thoroughly

L -        Lead don’t drive

A -        Avoid snap judgment

T -        Try to be approachable and social able

I -          Insist on selfless service to the community

O -        Others first, self last

N -        Never forget to give compliment for a job well done.

S -         Stress the positive always. 

In Similar vein, the following Twelve golden principles can form a basis of Do’s and Don’ts of Human relationss, as posted by Aamanna in Blogspot.com, They are as follows:                                                               

1.     Do not criticize, condemn or complain.

2.     Control the anger.

3.     Avoid using abusive language or expressions.

4.     Give honest, sincere appreciation.

5.     Arouse in the other person an eager want.

6.     Become genuinely interested in other people.

7.     Smile!

8.     Remember that a person’s name is to him/her the sweetest and most important sound in any language.

9.     Be a good listener and Encourage others to talk about themselves.

10.  Avoid backbiting during conversation.

11.  Talk in terms of the other person’s interest.

12.  Make the other person feel important and do it sincerely.

Q4. (a) Explain clearly the concept of human relations.

              i.        Briefly explain the five types of human relations.

             ii.        State and explain five basic principles of human relations approach.

            iii.        Why do we study human relations in schools?

4. (A).  CONCEPTS OF HUMAN RELATIONS

It is a skill ability to work effectively through or with people. Your relationship with other by respecting people is like the key to your success or failure. Owners and managers of profit or non-profit organization define human relations as fitting people in the work situation so as to motivate them to work together harmoniously. The process of putting together should achieve high level of productivity for the organization while also bringing employee economy psychological and social infliction. Human relations covers all types of interaction among people like conflict, co-operative effort and group relationship. It is the study of why our believe attitude and behaviour sometimes causes interpersonal conflict in our personal lives and our related situation feeling that has to do with caring, eye contact, empathy, sympathy etc.  

(B). Types of human relations

1.     Physical human relations

2.     Educational

3.     Emotional

4.     Social

5.     Political

  (C). PRINCIPLES OF HUMAN RELATIONS APPROACH

      The basic principles of human relations approach are:

1.     Human beings are not interested only in financial gains. They also need recognition and appreciation.

2.     Workers are human beings, so they must be treated like human beings and not like machines. Management should try to understand the feelings and emotions of the workers.

3.     An organization works not only through formal relations but also through informal relations. Therefore, managers should encourage informal relations in the organization along with formal relations.

4.      Workers need a high degree of job security and job satisfaction. Therefore, management should give job security and job satisfaction to the workers.

5.     Workers want good communication from the managers. Therefore, managers should communicate effectively without feeling of ego and superiority complex.

6.     In any organization, members do not like conflicts and misunderstanding. Therefore, managers should try to stop conflict and misunderstanding among the members of the organization.

7.     Workers want freedom. They do not want strict supervision. Therefore, managers should avoid strict supervision and control over the worker

8.     Employees would like to participate in decision making, especially in those matters affecting their interest. Therefore, management must encourage workers participation in management. This increase productivity and job satisfaction.

 (D) WHY DO WE STUDY HUMAN RELATIONS IN SCHOOLS

1.     To be able to handle problem when they arise in relationship

2.     To have self-control and to motivate ourselves positively

3.     To build relationship and maintain it

4.     To be emotionally intelligent

5.     To recognize the sources or background of people in people.

6.     To develop personal responsibility and leadership skill

7.     To treat others better and to promote relationship

8.     To invest in social support.