Definitions: Interpersonal Communication: a distinctive, transactional form of human communication, involving mutual influence, usually for the purpose of managing relationships. Distinctive Impersonal vs. Interpersonal Communication Transactional Face-to-face Mutual Influence Degree of Impact Manage relationships

Relationships are dynamic (continually changing)- people are continually attempting to maintain balance. Inevitable contradictions one must try to balance (Dr. Baxter): Autonomy-connection- A need for separation from others and a feeling of attachment. Novelty-predictability- The desire for change and stability. Some excitement please! But we also want to know that a relationship is stable. Openness-closedness - Self disclosure norms, the need for privacy

The Communication Process: Communication as: Action Interaction Transaction

Communication Competence Effective Appropriate Knowledge Skilled Motivated Other-oriented

Why study interpersonal communication? Having close relationships (healthy) is a major source of personal happiness. Argyle, The Psychology of Happiness Mental health improves with a constructive conflict process. Ineffective conflict management often adds to depression and hopelessness. Physical health : Ineffective conflict management contributes to over eating, physical, and psychological abuse of partners. (O’Leary et.al. 1998)

Text Relationships are vital to our well being Family: Determines conlict patterns (constructive or destructive). Studying interpersonal communication can provide you more options to respond to your family when challenges com your way. Workplace: Conflicts present important challenges to your career development. 85% of conflicts are at work. Bergmann 1994). You often cannot choose with whom you work. Romantic: Ability to move through changes and conflict determines the course of a relationship. (Wilmot, 1995) Text

Misplaced/Misattributed Conflict Transferring an emotional response from one intra-personal/interpersonal conflict to another individual. For example, you are frustrated with your boss, so you come home and pick a fight with your brother.

Content and Relationship Dimensions of Interpersonal Communication Content Message Relationship Message

Myths More words make the meaning clearer Meanings are in words Information equals communication Communication is a panacea

Discussion Questions: Provide an example of misplaced conflict. What percentage of your conflicts would you identify as misplaced? What can be done to reduce the number of misplaced conflicts in your life? Describe an “inevitable contradiction” that you have encountered. How did you handle it? Give an a few examples of the content dimension and relational dimension of communication you have experienced.

Theories of Mediated Communication Cues Filtered-Out Theory: suggests that emotional expression is severely restricted. An early EMC theory. Ex. Texting Social Information Processing Theory: Emotions can be communicated by text-only means,but may take longer than face-to-face interactions. The rate is the main difference Media Richness Theory

Media Richness Theory: The richness that an information communication medium has, is based on: The amount of feedback it permits The number of cues in the channel The variety of language used The potential for expressing emotion

Hyperpersonal Relationships Using EMC, a relationship formed can become more personal than face-to-face because of: The idealization of the communication partner Smaller amounts of personal information No distracting external cues

Online Communication Competence Dr. Malcolm Parks Match the gravity of your message to your communication medium. Don’t always assume that online communication is always more efficient. Presume that your posts are public. Remember that your posts are permanent. Practice the art of creating drafts.

Which situations are most appropriate to use 1) Text messaging 2) Emailing 3) Instant Messaging 4) Phone call 5) Face-to face EMC ex. Skype 6) Face-to-face, In-person