Abstract
The purpose of the present research is to find out if there exists or not any relationship between the communication and the strength of a specific relationship. Since the topic maintains sociological significance in respect of social relationships, Maslow’s Need Hierarchy Theory (1943) has been applied during the present study. The following hypothesis has been developed for the present study:
Regular communication between the members within a social setup, stronger the relations between the individuals of society
Interview-schedule has been applied as the tool for data collection for the present study. Eighteen individuals belonging to different age groups, gender and area were selected on the basis of quota (non-probability) basis for the interview. After the research process, the hypothesis was upheld.
Introduction
It has aptly been stated that man is a social animal; all his needs and desires are fulfilled by living within a social setup and leading a gregarious life. Family is the basic human institution and man is born in it under the ties of strong relationships, where he gets food, clothes, shelter, security, and emotional comforts. Since family is the primary social institution, man keeps in close touch and in constant communication with the members of his family from birth till death.
In addition, he also maintains intimate relationships with his peer group and childhood friend. It keeps him in constant contact with them and helps him out in fortifying these relations. Communication is, Ruigrok views, something we all know is necessary to keep any relationship strong and loving, and although we are aware of the importance of communication, we still seem to be clueless about what exactly good communication really is. (Quoted in enotalone.com)
Communication is not only necessary at the human person, domestic, communal, and social level, but also it contains imperative significance in the corporate sector too. The contemporary age is the age of communication and technological advancement, where the latest sources of contacts have been devised. Quick, constant, and rapid contacts lead towards making new relationships and fortifying the old ones. The axis of relationships, Zaidi opines, revolves around the caring, compassionate, congenial, and considerate words that man sends to others and strengthens his circle of companions, comrades, co-workers, colleagues a corporate community.
Review of Relevant Literature
The present study has been supported by reviewing the literature relevant to the present research. Sarah Vaster (1999) conducted her study under the title “Social Network and Success Level and disclosed the very fact that the individuals who had been in constant links within their social network sought more triumphs during the course of their professional life. She observed that though the achievements of the isolated persons could not be neglected, yet contacts with other members of society paved the way towards brighter chances of development in life.
Theoretical Framework
The present study has been supported by the Need Hierarchy Theory articulated by famous psychologist Abraham H. Maslow. Maslow has elaborated five levels of motivation in his famous Need Hierarchy Theory (1943). These levels include physiological, safety, social, ego, and self-actualizing ones. Maslow opines that as the motivation takes to start from the lowest level, so requirements of the individuals must be fulfilled in priority to motivate and inspire them towards their social and corporate life on the one hand and to develop their interest in the tasks they are to fulfill their social and corporate obligations on the other.
He submits that if an elder individual is interested in patronizing the addressing of most significant motivational factor within family life, social set up, or an organization, all these above-mentioned levels of motivation should be satisfied. Physiological needs offer individual happiness and satisfaction and the interesting work is the first and foremost factor of motivation and part of his concept of self-actualizing factor. In addition, if an individual’s salary or wages are not sufficient to obtain basic needs, regular communication of his family, close friends, and associates may be supportive in raising his motivation level to a considerable extent.
Research Methodology
Universe
As the researcher is a student of Greenwich University, London, the respondents of the present research were selected from different strata of the people of London. Eighteen individuals were interviewed by the researcher to find out the results and concluding the problem.
Sampling
Quota/non-probability sampling was implied to represent different socioeconomic classes of the society. The research was comprised of persons from the middle and lower classes. Both the sexes were the respondents, though an overwhelming majority consisted of male respondents. Two types of respondents were found. The first category belonged to those who were in close contact with family and friends, and the second category comprised of the persons having the least contact with their own relations and kinsmen.
Tool for Data Collection
The interview schedule was applied as a research tool to gather the data from the respondents. The interview schedule consisted of twenty-nine questions and had been divided into three parts. The first part was about the general inquiry including the questions related to age, sex, profession, and other basic information. The second portion of the study was formulated to the professional life and surroundings of the individuals as well as the atmosphere in which they were leading their lives and the difficulties faced by them. The final section represented the level of their achievements and the role of social contacts in it.
Pre-testing
Pre-testing was conducted in order to draw out the errors and flaws existing in the interview schedule. At first, five e individuals were interviewed and slight changes were made in questions after the pre-testing.
Field Experiences
The researcher conducted his research while conducting interviews after getting statistical data Most of the respondents were reluctant while giving details of their achievements and the role of family and friends leading towards their success.
Findings of the Study
The research was conducted using quota sampling and the researcher visited public places, offices, libraries, and residential areas. The residential areas included houses, flats, and apartments. It was found that the age group from thirty to forty has the least care regarding the strength of relationship, while the respondents belong to the age group from forty to fifty years had a deep concern regarding these relations. An overwhelming majority was found to be having great affection for the members of the family without any greed for success in life, while friends and colleagues had also been given imperative importance.
Talking about the attitude of the family, women respondents were more concerned regarding parents, siblings, and children. About 60% of the female respondents admitted that their life was safer in the presence of their husband than leading a single, divorced, or widowed life as the personal achievement was associated with family identity and nobody could dodge or deceive them in the presence of the husband.
Most of the respondents were satisfied with their present life, though they looked for more strengthening of the relationships. An overwhelming majority of them admired the latest ways of communication especially the mobile-phones and the internet and declared them as the quickest, economical, and easiest ways of communicating within the corporate sector and personal relations as well.
They viewed communications as the basic tool to climbing the ladder of personal gratification and professional success. “The groups’ views”, according to Blackburn & Stokes (2000: 51), “might be unduly influenced by pressures to conform, as individuals could be hesitant to express views different to those normally expected.” Moreover, most of the people felt uneasy in consuming leisure time without communicating with friends and family. The majority of people fights shy of revealing their lifestyle, leisure time activities, and sexual orientation to strangers and researchers and always sought to the company of their acquaintances. (Khalid, 2001: 31).
Summary and Conclusion
The present research gives a vivid picture of the imperative and considerate importance of communication in making up of sound relationships. The communication gap is sure to widen the gulf between people and their social circle. It is the moral and ethical obligation of all the individuals to make such an atmosphere where the other members of society can feel free while their communication and get involved in different types of socio-economic activities. We must pay respect to our family, friends, and especially the elderly stratum minimizing the feelings of loneliness and companionless altogether and wiping out the sentiments of remorse and repentance behind them. Further, the people engaged in the corporate sector can accelerate their business activities by having constant and close contact with relatives and friends on the one hand and within the market personnel on the other.
References
Blackburn, R. & Stokes, D. (2000) Breaking Down the Barriers: Using Focus Groups to Research Small and Medium-sized Enterprises. International Small Business Journal 19(1). 44-67.
Khalid, Shamaila. (2001) Psychological Causes of Same Sex Preferences. An unpublished Thesis submitted to the Department of Psychology, University of the Punjab.
Maslow, Abraham. H. (1943). A Theory of Human Motivation. Psychological Review. 370-396.
Ruigrok, Alina. Communication That Really Improves Relationships. Web.