Communication Patterns Social Media

Communication Patterns

According to Petersen (2015), emotions have significant effects on communication hence a need for effective emotional regulation. When we are overloaded with emotions, we switch into what he calls the flat-brain state or syndrome that flattens our brains, making it challenging to communicate our thoughts or control our feelings. It is a state full of anxiety that compromises our abilities, particularly self-confidence. When in this state, Petersen argues that our relationships are undermined because we fail to attain healthy engagements. This is not only a state of mind, but it affects other body parts. Indeed, communication reveals inner feelings. Petersen talks of the "butterfly" feeling in our stomach during public speaking that creates intense discomfort. Petersen notes that the same happens to the heart should serve as a connection point. Communication brings the head, stomach, and heart together, allowing them to interact but still retain their unique identities. When these communication elements fail to coordinate appropriately, we make a wrong decision or ruin relationships.

Petersen's concept of flat-brain syndrome is not unique to our contemporary lives. A reflection on some biblical passages indicates that poor emotional regulation affects our personalities. Proverbs 14: 29 states, "he who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly" (NKJV). This verse illustrates how the flat-brain syndrome affects emotions, and one can turn angry hence destroying the relationship with other people. Besides, the Bible gives the example of Moses and how failure to regulate his emotions affected relationships. Exodus 32: 19 states, "so it was, as soon as he came near the camp, that he saw the calf and the dancing. So Moses' anger became hot, and he cast the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain" (NKJV). This was about a relationship with God and the Israelites, and their interaction was at stake. Petersen explains that minimizing emotional disturbance in interactions is essential in building relationships. It becomes a fundamental element in counseling as it aids in releasing strong internal feelings. It helps reduce pressure in the brain hence embracing calmness during communication and other engagements. Schultze and Badzinski (2015) argue that developing strong relationships, particularly in the social media era, requires strong interpersonal skills. In social media, we encounter different people with varying ideologies, and a lack of proper control of our reactions can impact our communication.

Schultze and Badzinski's claims resonate with my social media experience. In numerous circumstances, I meet strangers, most of whom share varying or what I would call 'extraordinary" cultures. Their choice of words can be offensive, but I have learned to keep the communication going because some do not mean any harm, at least in their cultural environment. I have mastered the skill of minimizing the flat-brain syndrome through patience and putting myself in another person's perspective. Despite this achievement, I face challenges in the public and professional setting where I have to be selective in my choice of words. This is particularly pronounced when addressing meetings or gatherings with senior members of the society or profession. As Petersen explains, lack of support during communication affects one's confidence and discourages engagement. Such experiences have often affected my public speaking and led me into a flat-brain mode. A section of the audience may seem disinterested in what the speaker says, a humiliating experience. Fortunately, Petersen explains that the flat-brain syndrome can be rectified through counseling sessions that empower individuals to develop self-confidence. It involves mastering the art of regulating emotions such as anger, joy, fear, and excitement and embracing composure even when in challenging relationships. Recalling the case biblical event of Moses mentioned above, countering the flat-brain syndrome depicted through anger would have helped him handle the situation differently and not break the commandments. Indeed, the Bible condemns anger because it is a convenient avenue to evil deeds. For instance, Psalms 37: 8 (NKJV) advises that people refrain from anger because it leads to evil. Refraining from anger means mastering how to counter flat-brain and taking charge of our emotions. While this does not happen instantly, Petersen explains it is a skill that one can practice and learn from other people. For example, he states that creating and maintaining positive friendships is an excellent way of enhancing emotional regulation. Petersen supports this claim by sharing the analogy of "The Flat-Brain Tango." The more negative forces unite, the more destructive it becomes. If one suffers from flat-brain syndrome and relates with people with similar challenges, it becomes challenging to control one's emotions. In the end, the communication goals are not realized. However, uniting with those who help instill confidence during a speech, learning from them, receiving encouragement, and remaining optimistic have significant contributions in shaping one's communication patterns.