INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

ABSTRACT

The major purpose of this study is to determine the impact of interpersonal communication in conflict and community development with a particular reference to Ivo Local Government Area. Data collection was based on questionnaire and the data was analyzed with percentage, finally the hypothesis was tested using chi square method. The outcome of the study has clearly shown that there is a relationship between interpersonal communications and conflict resolution and that Interpersonal communication and conflict resolution has led to community development in Ivo Local government area. It was on the basis of the above findings, that it was recommended among other things to the opinion leaders peace committee and community leaders to gather with community developers, that interpersonal communication is the best approach of communication because of its face to face and immediate feedback during interaction.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0  INTRODUCTION

1.1    Background of the study

1.2    Statement of problem

1.3    Objective of the study

1.4    Research Hypotheses

1.5    Significance of the study

1.6    Scope and limitation of the study

1.7    Definition of terms

1.8    Organization of the study

CHAPETR TWO

2.0  LITERATURE REVIEW

CHAPETR THREE

3.0    Research methodology

3.1  sources of data collection

3.3    Population of the study

3.4    Sampling and sampling distribution

3.5    Validation of research instrument

3.6    Method of data analysis

CHAPTER FOUR

DATA PRESENTATION AND ANALYSIS AND INTERPRETATION

4.1 Introductions

4.2 Data analysis

CHAPTER FIVE

5.1 Introduction

5.2 Summary

5.3 Conclusion

5.4 Recommendation

Appendix

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Communication is the life wire of every living organism. To live is to communicate what a cell does in every living organism is exactly what communication does to human being and it entire environment. Communication is the eye through which people sees other peoples mind and know their intention and adapt to it and restore ecological harmony which will enhance development within them.

For the cause of this research work, I will rest my study to a branch of communication known as interpersonal communication because of its authenticity and accuracy in generating information as a result of face to face interaction and immediate feedback in nature. The importance of interpersonal communication in conflict resolution and community development” cannot be over emphasized in Nigeria and the entire world. Interpersonal communication has played a vital role in conflict resolution and community development. Interpersonal communication is very vital necessary in community development, because of the function it performed in establishing unity within the communities that made up the Ivo Local government Area in Ebonyi State.

The functions interpersonal communication can perform will be enumerated as follows settlement of land dispute, rural conflict intertribal crisis and other controversies among the communities. Interpersonal communication will be very-very vital in all endevour because it will enhance development in the community through dialogue because through communication there will be peace it is certain to have progress with development in our various communities.

According to Chibuzor Asomugha and Anwuli Chukwukaelo (2014:32) Communication which is used in everyday life from greeting process of sending and receiving message that enables human to share knowledge ideas thought, information feelings emotion and attitudes. According to Nweneme (2009:21) interpersonal communication is the type of communication which occurs between two persons in face to face communication encounter.

He added that during interpersonal communication contact, it made between personal, one act as a sender or source the other act as a receiver or decoder. According to Agbo and Ezinwa (2008: 68) interpersonal communication cannot exist in a vacuum, they must be some form of human interaction or contact, persons must be involved. Finally Okunna (1999:16) said that it is a type of communication that take place between or among persons predominantly in a face to face situation, she added that interpersonal communication include public speech panel discussion, board meeting and social conversation. She also stated that this type of communication can as a well take place in a small micro group gathering such as village meeting round table discussion or meeting of academic and non academic staff on the other way community development can be defined according to Eberinwa (2011:109) as a movement designed to promote living for the whole community with the active participation and if possible on the initiative of the community but if this is not forth coming spontaneously by the use of techniques for arousing and stimulating it in order to secure its active and enthusiastic response to the movement. According to Onwuka (2008:13)  he see community development as a process by which effort of the people themselves are united with that government authority to improve the economic, social and political/cultural condition of the people to enable them contribute fully to the national progress. He added that community development makes it possible for the participation of people. Themselves in effort to improve their level of living standard with much reliance on their own initiative and priority as possible on the provision of technical and other services in a way that will encourage efficiency and effectiveness in development of the communities. However the term conflict means misunderstanding, controversy and situation that is so un-conducive to people and their programmes. Why resolution is a process that involves discussion or dialogue to bring to an end of any conflict and restore harmony in our organization finally to identify the evolution of my case of study “Ivo Local Government area in Ebonyi State was created out from old Ohazara in formal Imo State and located in Ebonyi south. It is made up of two communities which are Isiagu and Akaeze.

Interpersonal communication has helped immensely in resolving of conflicts and as well encourage development in Ivo Local government Area entirely such conflicts resolved and development achieved can be list as follows settlement of political crisis, interperty crisis that erupted in Akaze in the year 2003 and other communal conflict and land dispute between the two communities. On the other hand development achieved can be enumerated as follows; building of maternity home, hospital, school, pipe borne water, market etc which promote the standard of living of the people within the local government

1.2   STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

The importance of peace in the community and between communities cannot be overemphasized. Peace is inexorably tied to security and development (Kankewda, 2002). However the stability and the amount of peace communities experience today, seems to be in question. Today various causes of the conflict have been proposed by individuals, the media, influential government officials, and scholars alike.

Interpersonal communication is an important tool in conflict resolution, however, a deep problem of the fall-out of communication can be devastating as it would lead to suspicion and trust issues amongst others. Though Interpersonal communications has helped immensely in resolving of conflicts and as well encourage development in Ivo Local government Area despite of political crisis, interparty crisis that erupted in Akaze.

The researcher wants to look at conflict and how the use of interpersonal communications led to peaceful resolution and community development in Ivo Local government area.

1.4 Objectives of the study

The main objective for the study is to find out the contribution of interpersonal communication and conflict resolution in community development.

1. To have an overview of interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.
2. To determine if there is a relationship between interpersonal communications and conflict resolution.
3. To determine if interpersonal communication and conflict resolution has led to community development in Ivo Local government area.

1.5   RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS

Hypothesis One

Hi: There is a relationship between interpersonal communications and conflict resolution

Hi: There is no relationship between interpersonal communications and conflict resolution

Hypothesis Two

Hi: Interpersonal communication and conflict resolution has led to community development in Ivo Local government area.

Hi: Interpersonal communication and conflict resolution has not led to community development in Ivo Local government area.

1.6 SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY

This project interpersonal communication and conflict resolution in community development is very important and timely as this will be useful tool in promoting peaceful co-existence and lasting reconciliation in the very volatile region. Educate the researcher’s audience in the concept of interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.

It would also serve as a base for future researchers

1.7   SCOPE OF THE STUDY

The study shall appraise the interpersonal communication and conflict resolution in community development.

However, in the course of this research, the following constraints were encountered thus:

1. Non-availability of enough resources (finance): A work of this nature is very tasking financially, money had to be spent at various stages of the research such resources which may aid proper carrying out of the study were not adequately available.
2. Time factor: The time used in carrying out the research work is relatively not enough to bring the best information out of it. However, I hope that the little that is contained in this study will go a long way in solving many greater problems.

1.9   DEFINITION OF TERMS

INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: interpersonal communication is an exchange of information between two or more people it is a face to face communication.

CONFLICT RESOLUTION: this is the methods and processes involved in facilitating the peaceful ending of conflict and retribution.

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT: this is the process where community members come together to take collective action and Generate solutions to common problems.

1.8 ORGANIZATION OF THE STUDY

This research work is organized in five chapters, for easy understanding, as follows

Chapter one is concern with the introduction, which consist of the (overview, of the study), historical background, statement of problem, objectives of the study, research hypotheses, significance of the study, scope and limitation of the study, definition of terms and historical background of the study. Chapter two highlights the theoretical framework on which the study is based, thus the review of related literature. Chapter three deals on the research design and methodology adopted in the study. Chapter four concentrate on the data collection and analysis and presentation of finding.  Chapter five gives summary, conclusion, and recommendations made of the study

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