1. University of Northern IA
Presentation prepared by:
Marilyn Shaw
University of Northern IA
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2. Chapter 13 Interpersonal Communication: A Theoretical Foundation
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3. How many of you are in a relationship?

4. Connecting with Others via Interpersonal Communication
Relationships—an association between at least two people.
What are some of the different relationships you are in? With whom?
Interpersonal communication occurs in a variety of contexts and situations and may be characterized in different ways, such as being impersonal versus personal.
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5. Theories of Interpersonal Communication
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
Social Information Processing Theory
Social Penetration Theory
Social Exchange Theory
Interpersonal Needs Theory
Dialectical Theory: Push and Pull
Copyright © 2014, 2011, 2008 Pearson Education, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

6. 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 physical data.
Passive
Active
Interactive
Berger’s three prior conditions
Anticipation of future contact
Incentive value or reward
Deviance
My granddaughters
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7. Social Information Processing Theory
Joe Walther states that social information processing theory suggests that electronically mediated relationships grow only to the extent that people gain information about each other and use it to form impressions.
Verbal Cues
Extended time
Photo from chapter 13, page 352
© CAM Ottawa Citizen/caglecartoons.com/synidicam.com
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8. Social Penetration Theory
A theory suggesting that disclosures in relationships become increasingly intimate as the relationship develops.
DEPTH of information shared/deepness
BREADTH of information shared/topics
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9. Social Exchange Theory
Why do you form relationships with others?
Social exchange theory is based on the assumption that people weigh the costs and benefits associated with entering a relationship and seek out relationships that benefit them, while avoiding those that don’t.
Benefits
Costs
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10. Interpersonal Needs Theory
This is a theory that provides insight into our motivation to communicate. The theory consists of three needs:
Affection; (overpersonal, personal, underpersonal)
The need to feel likeable or loveable. We need to belong and be loved.
Inclusion; (oversocial, social, undersocial)
Encompasses our need to feel significant and worthwhile.
Control (Autocrat, democrat, abdicrat)
Our motivation for power or influence in our relationship.
Picture sent to me by a former student teaching now in Japan. Has given me permission to use it in any way I see fit
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11. Are you Overpersonal?

12. Dialectical Theory: Push and Pull
Connection-Autonomy
Openness-Closedness
Novelty-Predictability
Managing Relational Tensions
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13. Managing Relational Tensions
Denial- deny that tension exists
Selection- one end of tension is chosen
Segmentation- compartmentalize
Reframing- make less obvious; dilute
Moderation- compromise
Reaffirmation- recognize that tension will always exist

14. Self-Disclosure in Relationships
Self-disclosure is voluntarily sharing information about ourselves that another person is not likely to know.
Self-presentation
Relationship building
Catharsis
Why do we voluntarily share information about ourselves with others?
Photo from chapter 13 page 361
© Denkou Images/Alamy
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15. Who are We?
Go to bed without taking a shower Drink beer and alcohol Resent parents Enjoy raves Sleep all day when off Alcoholic Feel fat Hit the club on Fridays Watch Bravo shows with mom Smoke cigarettes Been on my own since age 15 Acts crazy Eats to much
Legally Separated 27 year old Been pregnant and miscarried In a lesbian relationship Weed smoker Been to jail Love to sing loud and dance alone Very emotional Not confident Low self-esteem Love to love Very aggressive Mean

16. Chapter 13
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