Interpersonal Communication: An Overview of Basic Principles and Contexts

- Chapter 1 - Interpersonal Communication: Significance and Explanation of Key Concepts
- Overview
- Why Study Interpersonal Communication?
- Significance of Interpersonal Communication (IPC) in Establishing
- Professional Relationships
- Significance of IPC in Establishing Personal Relationships
- What Exactly Is Inter-Personal Communication?
- Basic Principles of Interpersonal Communication
- History of Interpersonal Communication
- Interpersonal Communication Theory
- Summary
- Discussion Questions
- References
- Chapter 2 - Verbal Communication: Words of Wisdom
- Overview
- Defining Verbal Communication
- Rules
- Symbols
- Subjectivity
- Context
- Functions Of Verbal Communication
- Cognitive Function
- Social Reality Function
- Group Identity Function
- Social Change Function
- Verbal Communication Styles
- Direct/Indirect
- Informal/Formal
- Clarity/Equivocation
- Powerful/Powerless Language
- Perceptions And Verbal Communication
- Credibility And Status
- Biased Communication And Language
- Verbal Immediacy
- Factors Affecting Verbal Communication
- Life Span
- Sex Differences In Verbal Communication
- Contextual Differences
- Best Practices: Avoid Verbal Pitfalls
- Clarity
- Appropriateness
- Concreteness
- Summary
- Discussion Questions
- References
- Chapter 3 - Nonverbal Communication: It's Not What You Said; It's How You Said It
- Overview
- Defining Nonverbal Communication
- Distinct Characteristics Of Nonverbal Messages
- Nonverbal Features That Are Similar To Verbal Messages
- Eight Types Of Nonverbal Communication
- Facial Communication
- Kinesics
- Haptics
- Proxemics
- Paralanguage
- Physical Appearance
- Artifacts
- Chronemics
- Four Functions Of Nonverbal Messages
- Facilitate Cognitive Meaning
- Encoding And Decoding Emotions
- Express Affection And Support
- Aid In Impression Formation/Identity Management
- Best Practices: Avoid Common Nonverbal Communication Mistakes
- Common Areas Of Miscommunication
- Nonverbal Messages And Social Influence
- Practice Sending And Receiving Nonverbal Messages
- Recognize Differences In Nonverbal Communication Perceptions
- Future Direction For Nonverbal Communication: Electronic Paralanguage
- Summary
- Discussion Questions
- References
- Chapter 4 - Understanding Self
- Understanding The Self
- Self-Concept
- Self-Esteem
- Self-Concept And Self-Esteem Impact Your Communication
- Enhancing Your Self-Concept And Self-Esteem
- Understanding Communication Traits
- Communication Apprehension
- Socio-Communicative Orientation
- Managing Your Identity
- Identity Management Characteristics
- Identity Management Nature/Nurture Influences
- Identity Management Strategies
- Take-Aways
- Practice Test Items
- Study Guide
- References
- Chapter 5 - Social Influence
- Defining Characteristics of Persuasion
- Why Study Persuasion?
- Where And When Do We Persuade?
- Persuasion As One Of Multiple Forms Of Influence
- Attitudes, Values, And Beliefs
- Personality Traits And Persuasion
- Research On Message Variables
- Cognitive Dissonance Theory
- Ego-Involvement, Or Social Judgment Theory
- The Theory Of Reasoned Action
- The Theory Of Planned Behavior
- Elaboration Likelihood Theory
- Compliance-Gaining Message Selection
- Cialdini's Persuasive Heuristics
- Preventing Persuasion
- Chapter 6 - Interpersonal Conflict
- Understanding And Enhancing Conversations
- Opening
- Feedforward
- Focus
- Feedback
- Closing
- Conflict And Negotiation
- What Is Conflict?
- How Can Conflict Be Managed?
- Conflict Management Style
- That's Debatable
- Factors Influencing Conflict Management
- Confirmation And Disconfirmation
- Negotiation
- Hone Your Skills In Conversation And Conflict Management
- Skills For Difficult Conversational Moments
- Skills For Coping With Conflict
- Highlights
- Apply Your Knowledge
- References
- Chapter 7 - Initiating Relationships: "Haven't We Met Somewhere Before?"
- Overview
- The Role Of Communication In Relationship Development
- Relationship Defined
- The Nature Of Relationships
- Deciding To Make The First Move: Why We Initiate Relationships
- Interpersonal Attraction
- Physical Attractiveness
- Social Attractiveness
- Task Attractiveness
- Proximity
- Similarity/Homophily
- Interpersonal Goals
- Interpersonal Communication Theories: How We Initiate Relationships
- Starting The Conversation
- Self-Disclosure
- Social Penetration Theory
- Uncertainty Reduction Theory
- Predicted Outcome Value Theory
- Social Exchange Theory
- Stages Of Relationship Development
- Relationship Initiation Contexts
- Relationship Initiation And Technology
- Relationship Initiation And Culture
- Summary
- Discussion Questions
- References
- Chapter 8 - Sustaining Relationships: Relationship Maintenance and Conflict Management
- Overview
- Significance Of Relationship Maintenance
- Maintaining The Existence Of The Relationship
- Maintaining A Desired State In The Relationship
- Maintaining A Satisfactory State
- Routine And Strategic Relationship Maintenance
- Why We Maintain Some Relationships And Not Others
- How We Maintain Relationships: The Role Of Communication Skills
- Relationship Maintenance Strategies
- Relationship Maintenance In Different Types Of Relationships
- Facebook And Relationship Maintenance
- Conclusions About Relationship Maintenance
- Conflict: A Natural Component Of All Relationships
- Definition Of Conflict
- Why Conflict Occurs
- Conflict Can Be Productive Or Unproductive For Individuals And For Relationships
- Conflict Management Styles
- Avoidance
- Competitive/Distributive
- Collaborative/Integrative
- The Dark Side Of Conflict: Verbal Aggression
- Managing Conflict
- Summary
- Discussion Questions
- References
- Chapter 9 - Terminating Relationships: Knowing When to Throw in the Towel
- Overview
- Assessing Relationship Problems: Attributions, Satisfaction, Equity
- How Do You Determine If A Relationship Problem Is Significant?
- Investment Model: Will Your Relationship Persist or Die?
- Duck's Process Model Of Relationship Termination
- Intrapsychic Process
- Dyadic Process
- Social Process
- Grave Dressing Process
- Resurrection Process
- Five Stages Of Relationship Dissolution
- Differentiating
- Circumscribing
- Stagnating
- Avoiding
- Terminating
- Strategies Used To Terminate Relationships
- Positive Tone Messages
- De-Escalation Messages
- Withdrawal
- Justification Messages
- Negative Identity Management Messages
- Types Of Relationships: Terminating Friendships
- Factors Prompting Friendship Termination
- Indirect Strategies For Ending Friendships
- Direct Strategies For Ending Friendships
- Types Of Relationships: Terminating Romantic Relationships
- Infidelity
- Lack Of Commitment
- Dissimilarity
- Outside Pressures
- Homosexual Relationships: Factors Influencing Relationship Quality
- After The Breakup: Remaining "Just Friends"
- After The Breakup: Methods Of Coping
- After The Breakup: Closure And Forgiveness
- Summary
- Discussion Questions
- References
- Chapter 10 - The Dark Side of Relationships: Deception, Embarrassment, Jealousy, Power, and Verbal Aggression
- Overview
- Deception and Interpersonal Relationships
- Why Do We Lie?
- Lying To Harm Others
- Lying To Protect Self
- Lying To Spare Others
- Detecting Deception
- Analyzing Deceptive Messages
- Embarrassment: Why Did I Say That?
- Our Role in Embarrassment
- Responding To Embarrassment
- Jealousy in Interpersonal Relationships
- Types of Jealousy in Relationships
- Why Does Jealousy Occur?
- Characteristics Associated With Jealousy And Jealousy-Evoking Behavior
- Gender Differences And Jealousy
- Coping With Jealousy
- Interpersonal Power And Verbal Aggression
- Types Of Power
- Relationship Between Power And Interpersonal Influence
- Power Versus Dominance In Relationships
- Verbal Aggression
- Verbal Aggression In Romantic Relationships
- Verbal Aggression In The Classroom
- Verbal Aggression In The Workplace
- Summary
- Discussion Questions
- References
- Chapter 11 - Intercultural Communication: Variety is the Spice of Life
- Overview
- Culture And Diversity Defined
- Co-Cultures Within The United States
- Ethnicity
- Race
- Regional Differences
- Social Class
- Characteristics Of Culture
- Culture Is Learned
- Culture Is Dynamic
- Culture Is Pervasive
- The Impact Of Cultural Diversity On Interpersonal Relationships
- Understanding The Self
- Technological Transformations
- Influence Of Demographic Transitions
- Communication Competence: Four Core Concepts
- Knowledge
- Understanding
- Acceptance
- Skills
- Personal Orientation System
- Needs
- Beliefs
- Values
- Cultural Value Orientations
- Attitudes: Stereotyping And Prejudice
- Communicating Prejudice
- Functions Of Prejudice
- Suggestions For Effective Interpersonal Relationships With Diverse Others
- Summary
- Discussion Questions
- References
- Chapter 12 - Family Communication: It's All Relative
- Overview
- Definition Of Family
- Types Of Family Relationships
- Marital Relationships
- Parent-Child Relationships
- Sibling Relationships
- Maintenance In Sibling Relationships
- Family Communication Theories
- Family Systems Theory
- Family Communication Patterns Theory
- Symbolic Interaction Theory
- Creating A Family Identity
- Family Stories
- Family Myths
- Family Metaphors
- Family Themes
- Consequences Of Family Relationships
- Difficult Communication
- Family Stress
- Summary
- Discussion Questions
- References
- Chapter 13 - Health Communication
- Chapter Objectives
- Defining Health Communication
- What Is Communication?
- Health Communication Defined
- Health Communication In The Twenty-First Century: Key Characteristics And Defining Features
- People-Centered
- Evidence-Based
- Multidisciplinary
- Strategic
- Process-Oriented
- Cost-Effective
- Creative In Support Of Strategy
- Audience- And Media-Specific
- Relationship Building
- Aimed At Behavioral And Social Results
- Inclusive Of Vulnerable And Underserved Groups
- The Health Communication Environment
- Health Communication In Public Health, Health Care, And Community Development
- Health Communication In Public Health
- Health Communication In Health Care Settings
- Health Communication In Community Development
- The Role Of Health Communication In The Marketing Mix
- Overview Of Key Communication Areas
- The Health Communication Cycle
- What Health Communication Can And Cannot Do
- Key Concepts
- For Discussion And Practice