Chapter 13 Interpersonal Communication: A Theoretical Foundation

Learning Objectives 13.1 Explain what it means to connect with others through interpersonal communication. 13.2 Compare and contrast seven theories related to relationships and interpersonal communication. 13.3 Outline the roles of self-disclosure, privacy, gender, culture, and rhetorical sensitivity in interpersonal relationships.

Connecting with Others via Interpersonal Communication (1 of 2) Learning Objective 13.1: Explain what it means to connect with others through interpersonal communication.

Connecting with Others via Interpersonal Communication (2 of 2) Relationships A relationship is an association between at least two people that may be described in terms of intimacy or kinship. Interpersonal Communication Interpersonal communication creates and shares meaning between two or more people. It takes place in a variety of contexts and situations. It takes place among people with a variety of interpersonal competencies.

Theories of Interpersonal Communication (1 of 9) Learning Objective 13.2: Compare and contrast seven theories related to relationships and interpersonal communication.

Theories of Interpersonal Communication (2 of 9) Uncertainty Reduction Theory Uncertainty reduction theory suggests that when we meet others, our need to know about them tends to make us draw inferences from observable data. The drive to reduce uncertainty is motivated by three conditions: Anticipation of future contact Incentive value or reward Deviance According to this theory, developed by Charles Berger and Richard Calabrese, reducing uncertainty is necessary for a relationship to develop.

Theories of Interpersonal Communication (3 of 9) Uncertainty Management Theory (1 of 2) Uncertainty management theory takes into account different ways people react psychologically and communicatively to uncertainty. Developed by communication scholar Dale Brashers, the theory has three main features: The interpretation and experience of uncertainty The effect of emotion related to uncertainty The ways communication and emotion are managed when uncertainty exists

Theories of Interpersonal Communication (4 of 9) Uncertainty Management Theory (2 of 2) People use four ways to manage their uncertainty: Those with lots of uncertainty learn to adapt. They can rely on social support of others to cope. Some balance the need to know with the desire to not know. Some learn to know which information to trust, and which to ignore.

Theories of Interpersonal Communication (5 of 9) Social Information Processing Theory Social information processing theory suggests that electronically mediated relationships grow only to the extent people gain information about each other and use it to form impressions. Developed by communication scholar Joe Walther, the theory includes two features of electronic communication: Verbal Cues Extended Time Hyperpersonal communication suggests digital interactions can become exaggerated.

Theories of Interpersonal Communication (6 of 9) Social Penetration Theory Social penetration theory, developed by social psychologists Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor, suggests that disclosures in a relationship become increasingly intimate as the relationship develops. The model resembles an onion or dartboard. Depth of penetration is the deepness or intimacy of the disclosure to others. Breadth of penetration is the range or spread of areas that are disclosed to others.

Figure 13.1: Social Penetration Model Social penetration theory portrays relationship development as starting with factual information and small talk. As the relationship develops, conversations become more personal, including feelings about self and values. From Social Penetration: The Development of Interpersonal Relationships. Copyright © 1973 Irwin Altman and Dalmas Taylor.

Theories of Interpersonal Communication (7 of 9) Social Exchange Theory According to social exchange theory, developed by social psychologists John Thibaut and Harold Kelley, people weigh the costs and rewards associated with a relationship. Benefit: anything that is perceived to improve our self-interest Costs: negative things or behaviors that we perceive to be not beneficial to our self-interest

Theories of Interpersonal Communication (8 of 9) Interpersonal Needs Theory Psychologist Will Schutz’s interpersonal needs theory consists of three needs: Need for affection Need for inclusion Need for control This theory illustrates the reasons that motivate us to communicate with others.

Theories of Interpersonal Communication (9 of 9) Dialectical Theory Dialectical theory suggests that contradictory impulses push and pull us in conflicting directions with others: Connection–Autonomy Openness–Closedness Novelty–Predictability Many tensions from inside and outside a relationship can directly or indirectly affect how parties in a relationship with with those tensions. Denial Selection Segmentation Reframing Moderation Reaffirmation

Self-Disclosure in Relationships (1 of 4) Learning Objective 13.3: Outline the roles of self-disclosure, privacy, gender, culture, and rhetorical sensitivity in interpersonal relationships.

Self-Disclosure in Relationships (2 of 4) Self-disclosure is the voluntary sharing of information about ourselves Why Do We Self-Disclose? Self-presentation is an intentional self-disclosure tactic used to reveal certain aspects about ourselves for specific reasons. Relationship building is a goal of self-disclosure. Self-disclosing can be a form of catharsis. Transcorporeal communication is a process through which a living person sends a digital message to a deceased person through a website or social networking site.

Self-Disclosure in Relationships (3 of 4) When Shouldn’t We Self-Disclose Too Much? If it is harmful, risky, unwise, or insensitive Should be based on personal judgment, not rigid rules Self-Disclosure and Privacy We control and protect our privacy boundaries. Privacy is usually negotiated by the mutual consent of parties involved in the relationship.

Self-Disclosure in Relationships (4 of 4) Self-Disclosure and Gender Be careful to avoid stereotyping based on biological differences. Self-Disclosure and Culture Disclosure is culturally regulated by norms of appropriateness. Self-Disclosure and Rhetorical Sensitivity Rhetorical sensitivity involves considering the situation and factors about the other person before communication begins. Balance self-interest with the interests of others.