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what muses do with and for individuals. The theory uses the concepts that are interrelated
in every nursing situation, namely, interaction, perception, communication, transaction,
self, role, stress, growth and development, time and personal space.
3.4.1 INTERACTION
Interaction is defined as a process ofperception and communication between person and
environment and between person and person. This is presented by verbal and non-verbal
behaviours that are goal directed. Each of the individuals involved in the interaction
brings different ideas, attitudes and perceptions to the exchange. These individuals come
together for a purpose and perceive each other. Each individual makes a judgment, thinks
about the judgment made and decides to act. Then each react to the other and the
situation. In this way the interaction and transaction become directly observable (George,
1995:217)
3.4.2 PERCEPTION
Perception means each person's representation of reality. Perception is formed by
different elements. These elements are importing of energy from the environment and
organizing it by information, transforming this energy, processing information, storing
information, and taking out the information is the form ofbehaviour that is observable.
3.4.3 COMMUl'o'ICATION
Communication is a process whereby information is given from one person either directly
in face-to-face contact or indirectly through electronic media like telephone and
television, or written words, to another. Communication is therefore involved in the
information content ofinteraction.
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