1. Interpersonal Communication

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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

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