Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal Communication Communication between two persons that involves the sending and receiving of messages with some effect and some opportunity for feedback that leads to the development of a variable relationship.

Interpersonal communication is a special form of unmediated human communication that occurs when we interact simultaneously with another person and attempt to mutually influence each other, usually for the purpose of managing relationships.

Communication Principles Be aware of your communication Appropriately adapt your message to others Effectively use and interpret verbal messages Listen and respond thoughtfully to others interpret nonverbal

Six Stage Relationship Model Interpersonal Communication Six Stage Relationship Model Contact--sense of perception of another person; decide whether you want to maintain a relationship with this person Involvement--acquaintance; commit to getting to know the other person and self-disclosing Intimacy--commit further to the relationship; reserved for very few people Deterioration--bonds begin to weaken between parties in a relationship; less time spent and more awkward exchanges Repair--attempts to save a relationship through interpersonal and intrapersonal care Dissolution--cutting the bonds that tie a relationship; separate life established apart from the other person

Models of Self-Disclosure Chapter 7: Understanding Interpersonal Communication Models of Self-Disclosure The Social Penetration Model Superficial Early in a relationship Intimate Very As the relationship develops Very Intimate

Initiating Relationships Chapter 7: Understanding Interpersonal Communication Initiating Relationships Interpersonal Attraction Defined degree to which you desire to form or maintain an IP relationship TWO STAGES OF ATTRACTION Short-Term Initial Attraction potential for development Long-Term Maintenance Attraction sustains relationships

Reasons for Relationship Development Lessening loneliness Securing stimulation Acquiring self-knowledge Maximizing pleasures/minimizing pains

Interpersonal Attraction Attractiveness--whether or not you want to get to know the person; physical and personality considerations Proximity--physical distance influences the development of relationships Reinforcement--we like people who reward or reinforce us Similarity--we generally like people who are similar to us in nationality, race, physical characteristics, intelligence, and especially attitudes and preferences Complementarily--people are attracted to dissimilar others in certain situations

Relationship Deterioration Gradual or sudden May be advantageous Why do relationships deteriorate? Reasons for establishing relationship have diminished Third-party relationships Relational changes Undefined expectations Work Financial difficulties Inequitable distribution of rewards and costs Commitment--financial, temporal, emotional Communication during deterioration withdrawal decline in self-disclosure deception evaluative responses request behaviors favor exchange

Unproductive Conflict Management During interpersonal conflict, we are least likely to pause, analyze the situation, and evaluate the strategies that might prove most relevant. Unproductive Conflict Management Avoidance-actual, physical flight Non-negotiation-refusal to discuss or listen to the other person Redefinition-recast the conflict so it becomes a totally different issue Force-attempting to coerce a decision or way of thinking through physical means

Unproductive Conflict Management Minimization-dealing with conflict by making light of it Blame-flight strategy that diverts focus from the issue Silencers-fighting techniques that silence the other (i.e. crying, yelling, hyperventilating Gunnysacking-storing up grievances and then unloading them on the person Manipulation-divert the conflict by being charming (disarming) Personal Rejection -withholding love and affection in an attempt to break the other person

How do you manage conflict effectively? Fight above the belt Take responsibility for your thoughts and feelings Be direct and specific Use humor for relief, not ridicule

Conversational Competence Managing Conversation Mindfulness Flexibility Cultural sensitivity Skills Openness Empathy Positiveness Immediacy Interaction management Expressiveness Other-orientation