Chapter 7 Understanding Interpersonal Relationships COMM 2011 Chapter 7 Understanding Interpersonal Relationships © 2011 Cengage Learning

Learning Outcomes LO1 Identify the major types of relationships LO2 Explain how disclosure and feedback affect relationships LO3 Examine levels of communication at various stages in relationships LO4 Identify the sources of tension in relationships

Identify the major types of relationships LO1 Identify the major types of relationships © 2011 Cengage Learning

Types of Relationships Acquaintances Friendships Close friends/intimates LO1 © 2011 Cengage Learning

Acquaintances LO1 People with whom our interactions are limited. Most communication is impersonal = interchangeable chit-chat. LO1 © 2011 Cengage Learning

Acquaintanceship Guidelines Initiate conversation Develop an other-centered focus Engage in appropriate turn-taking Make your comments relevant Be polite. LO1 © 2011 Cengage Learning

LO1 Friends People with whom we have voluntarily negotiated more personal relationships. © 2011 Cengage Learning

Friendship Guidelines Initiation Responsiveness Self-disclosure Emotional support Conflict management LO1 © 2011 Cengage Learning

Close Friends/Intimates The few people with whom we share close relationships marked by high degree of commitment and interdependence. Platonic relationships – partners are not sexually attracted to each other. Romantic relationship – partners act on sexual attraction. © 2011 Cengage Learning

Intimacy Guidelines LO1 Be dependable Be responsive Be collaborative in managing conflict Be faithful Be transparent Be willing to put your relationship first © 2011 Cengage Learning

Explain how disclosure and feedback affect relationships © 2011 Cengage Learning

Disclosure and Feedback A healthy interpersonal relationship is marked by an appropriate balance of self-disclosure and feedback. © 2011 Cengage Learning

The Johari Window LO2 © 2011 Cengage Learning

Low Disclosure, Low Feedback © 2011 Cengage Learning

High Disclosure, Low Feedback © 2011 Cengage Learning

Low Disclosure, High Feedback © 2011 Cengage Learning

High Disclosure, High Feedback © 2011 Cengage Learning

Examine levels of communication at various stages in relationships LO3 Examine levels of communication at various stages in relationships © 2011 Cengage Learning

Beginning Relationships LO3 Beginning Relationships Focuses on reducing uncertainty by increasing knowledge about the other person. © 2011 Cengage Learning

Developing Relationships Partners will identify and capitalize on similarities and tolerate or negotiate differences. Partners tend to share greater physical contact. Partners will feel psychologically closer. LO3 © 2011 Cengage Learning

Maintaining Relationships Both people participate to keep the relationship at a particular level of closeness. Strategies: Spending time Merging friendship networks Sacrifice Forgiveness LO3 © 2011 Cengage Learning

Deteriorating and Dissolving Relationships The less highly developed a relationship, the more likely it is to dissolve. The first sign – subtle indication of dissatisfaction. If relationship continues to be dissatisfying, people begin to drift apart. A relationship has ended when people no longer interact with each other. LO3 © 2011 Cengage Learning

Ending Relationships When people end a relationship, they often look for reasons to blame each other. Relationship transformation – when people agree that a relationship is over, they may interact through a different type of relationship. LO3 © 2011 Cengage Learning

Identify the sources of tension in relationships LO4 Identify the sources of tension in relationships © 2011 Cengage Learning

Dialectics Relational dialectics – competing psychological tensions that exist in relationships. Autonomy-connection Openness-closedness Novelty-predictability LO4 © 2011 Cengage Learning

Autonomy-Connection LO4 Autonomy – desire to do things independent of partner. Connection – desire to link actions and decisions with partner. LO4 © 2011 Cengage Learning

LO4 Openness-Closedness Openness – desire to share intimate ideas and feelings Closedness – desire to maintain privacy. © 2011 Cengage Learning

Novelty-Predictability LO4 Novelty – originality, freshness, uniqueness in relationship behavior. Predictability – consistency, reliability, dependability. © 2011 Cengage Learning

Managing Dialectical Tensions Temporal selection – choosing one desire and ignoring the other. Topical segmentation – choosing certain topics with which to satisfy one desire and other topics for the opposite desire. LO4 © 2011 Cengage Learning

Managing Dialectical Tensions Neutralization – compromising between the desires of one person and those of the other. Reframing – changing perceptions about the level of tension. LO4 © 2011 Cengage Learning