R: Sitting relaxed should, in turn, make the client feel relaxed. If you sit nervously and fidgety it will distract the client. Being relaxed also expressed feelings of comfort and helps put the client at ease.
Gerald Egan’s SOLER theory makes communication more effective for both the service user, and the practitioner using the method in many ways. For example, The SOLER theory should make the patient who has been through a traumatic situation and needs counselling feel more open towards the counsellor; as if they can speak without being judged and will be able to feel more positive about asking for help if they feel that they will be able to receive it in a non-judgemental and productive manner. If the patient is able to be open and develop a positive and meaningful relationship, this in turn makes it easier for the counsellor to understand and effectively address the needs of the patient, it will mean they can ask the patient to elaborate on any concerns they have, meaning they can review care plans more efficiently, and be of better help to the patient..
Strengths and weaknesses of this theory and then how effective is it in the care profession
Argyle’s Communication Cycle
This is a commonly used theory of communication. It was first developed in 1965 by Charles Berner, and then modified by Michael Argyle, a social psychologist, in 1972. The communication cycle is the path which one takes when they decide to communicate with someone else. First, the idea (of the conversation) occurs, next, the message is coded, meaning the person is thinking about how to say the idea, and what method of communication they will use (verbal, sign language, email etc). Third, the message is sent: the person says/signs/writes the message they wish to send the other person. Message received: the recipient receives your message, and then the message is decoded, meaning the other person has interpreted what you have said. If the message is understood, then you have communicated effectively and the person understands what you have said. You can see this by the other person responding or giving feedback to what you have said.
Michael Argyle’s communication cycle is a good base idea for practitioners to always refer back to of how to communicate. It is simple and can be applied to most communication situations easily. It makes communication more effective as it allows the practitioner to think before they speak, and think about how they are going to say it, so that the other person will interpret it the way they intended it to be interpreted, and is not misunderstood or taken the wrong way. It also shows reflective listening. However, the other person may not decode the message in the way it is intended to be, therefore leading to misunderstanding, so Argyle’s communication cycle needs to be a two-way process to be effective.
Michael Argyle’s communication cycle would be very suitable in lots of health and social care settings, as it is very general. For example it could be used in a hospital, where a female nurse is breaking some bad news to a child who is about 12 years old about their parent who has just been diagnosed terminally ill. The
First step – ideas occur: The nurse would plan before speaking to the child about what they want to say. They will think about what language the child speaks, for example if English is not their first language they may need to get a translator. She will have to decide a place and time to tell the child as well.
Second step – message coded: The nurse will have to decide how to speak to the child, and take into consideration the child’s age, for example if the language they use is too formal, the child may not understand what is being said to them, but if she uses too much informal language the child may not understand the seriousness of the situation. The nurse’s tone of voice cannot be too harsh or the child will feel scared and upset. The tone of voice but be soft and gentle to make the child feel like they are comfortable and supported. The nurse must also be careful in how they word things as they don’t want to make the child feel that they are to blame or that they have done anything wrong, but they will still need to explain to the child what is going on, not just that their parent is going to die, however not in too much detail and this may confuse and scare the child.
Third step – message sent: The nurse tells the child what she has to say. She has to ensure that she has transferred the information clearly so that the child understands and takes it In properly and effectively. The nurse’s body language must be open and the nurse must make eye contact, but not too much that the child feels intimidated. The nurse may put her arm round the child to make them feel comforted and as if they are not alone and the nurse is there for them.
Fourth step - Message received: The child has taken in the information and may react to the news in an upset, confused or angry way. The nurse must show empathy to the child so they can understand why the child is reacting the way they are. The child may have many questions and so the nurse must show through body language, such as sitting openly and leaving silences for the child to think about what they have just been told, that they are ready to answer any questions he child ha.
Fifth step – Message decoded: The child understands what has been told to them. The nurse must ensure they child has the correct information about what has happened and what is going to happen in the future.
Sixth step – Message understood: The child understands what the nurse has told them, and has received and decoded the message. The nurse and the child can now move on to other things, such as how the child is going to be cared for and going to see the ill parent.
by
ellyharvey98gmailcom (student)
