Chapter 7: Interpersonal Relationships COMM3 Verderber, Sellnow, and Verderber © 2014 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcomes LO7-1 Identify the major types of relationships LO7-2 Explain how disclosure and feedback affect relationships LO7-3 Examine levels of communication at various stages in relationships LO7-4 Identify the sources of tension in relationships © 2014 Cengage Learning

Interpersonal Communication Interpersonal communication is all the interactions that occur between two people to help start, build, maintain, and sometimes end or redefine our interpersonal relationships. Interpersonal relationships are defined by the sets of expectations two people have for each other based on their previous interactions. We form interpersonal relationships as we communicate overtly and covertly through face-to-face and online interactions. © 2014 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcome 7-1 Acquaintances Acquaintances are people we know by name and talk with when the opportunity arises, but with whom our interactions are limited. Most conversations with acquaintances can be defined as impersonal communication, which is essentially interchangeable chit-chat. Communicating with acquaintances usually entails reducing uncertainty and saving face—attempting to maintain a positive self-image in a relational situation. © 2011 Cengage Learning © 2014 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcome 7-1 Friends Friends are people with whom we have voluntarily negotiated more personal relationships. As friendships develop, people move toward interactions that are more interpersonally satisfying. © 2014 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcome 7-1 Intimates Intimates are those close, personal friends with whom we share a high degree of interdependence, commitment, disclosure, understanding, affection, and trust. A platonic relationship is one in which the partners are not sexually attracted to each other or do not act on an attraction they feel. A romantic relationship is one in which the partners act on their sexual attraction. © 2014 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcome 7-1 Trust Trust is placing confidence in another in a way that almost always involves some risk. As we share private information and feelings, we monitor how well our partner keeps our confidence. If our partner keeps our confidence, we share more and the relationship becomes more intimate. If our partner proves untrustworthy, we share less and, as a result, and over time intimacy decreases. When there is a severe breach of trust, we may abruptly end the relationship altogether. © 2014 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcome 7-1 Culture and Intimacy Research suggests that our cultural identity may influence which type of interactions we are most likely to engage in to foster intimacy: Physical touch Sharing of ideas Sharing of feelings Participating in shared activities Intimacy development norms vary across cultures, but cultural differences are becoming increasingly less pronounced. © 2014 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcome 7-2 Disclosure Disclosure is the process of revealing confidential information, and feedback, which includes the verbal and nonverbal responses to such information. Disclosure can come in the form of: Self-disclosure, the confidential information we deliberately choose to share about ourselves Other-disclosure, the confidential information shared about someone by a third party © 2014 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcome 7-2 Social Penetration Social penetration theory describes the different kinds of self-disclosure we use in our relationships. Not all self-disclosure is equally revealing. Breadth has to do with the range of different subjects you discuss with your partner. Depth has to do with the quality of information shared. © 2014 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcome 7-2 The Johari Window The Johari window consists of four panes that comprise all information about you. You and your partner each know some (but not all) of this information. © 2014 Cengage Learning

Figure 7.2 The Johari Window © 2014 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcome 7-3 Coming Together Communication during the stages of coming together focuses on reducing uncertainty. You begin by communicating very generally about noncontroversial topics and asking questions about surface information. Based on what you learn, you make inferences about the person. If you decide you have enough in common, you will choose to develop the relationship by disclosing more about yourself. © 2014 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcome 7-3 Coming Apart When one or both partners fail to engage actively in relational maintenance strategies, the relationship may begin to come apart and could eventually end altogether. The communication in declining relationships is marked by four stages: Circumscribing Stagnating Avoiding Terminating © 2014 Cengage Learning

Mediated Communication and Interpersonal Relationships Learning Outcome 7-3 Mediated Communication and Interpersonal Relationships Internet technology and social media have changed how we build and maintain our relationships in several important ways. When people meet online, they experience hyperpersonal communication, whereby senders have a greater capacity to strategically manage their self-presentation because nonverbal and relevant contextual cues are more limited. © 2014 Cengage Learning

Dialectics in Interpersonal Relationships Learning Outcome 7-4 Dialectics in Interpersonal Relationships A dialectic is a tension between conflicting forces. Relational dialectics are the competing psychological tensions that exist in any relationship. © 2014 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcome 7-4 Autonomy/Connection Autonomy is the desire to do things independent of your partner. Connection is the desire to link your actions and decisions with your partner. © 2014 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcome 7-4 Openness/Closedness Openness is the desire to share intimate ideas and feelings with your partner. Closedness is the desire to maintain privacy. © 2014 Cengage Learning

Novelty/Predictability Learning Outcome 7-4 Novelty/Predictability Novelty is the desire for originality, freshness, and uniqueness in your own or your partner’s behavior or in the relationship. Predictability is the desire for consistency, reliability, and dependability. © 2014 Cengage Learning

Managing Dialectical Tensions Learning Outcome 7-4 Managing Dialectical Tensions You may be wondering how you can cope with dialectical tensions in relationships. Common strategies include: Temporal selection Topical segmentation Neutralization Reframing © 2014 Cengage Learning