Close Encounters
Communication in Relationships
2nd Edition
Published on 24. July 2007
Book
Paperback/Softback
456 pages
978-1-4129-4953-8 (ISBN)
Description
Using a relational approach to the study of interpersonal communication, this text provides comprehensive coverage of popular theories and concepts in interpersonal communication. The research base of the book draws heavily from communication, but also emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of the study of personal relationships.
The book focuses on communication within close relationships and is organized using a developmental approach: The early chapters focus on processes that shape initial interaction and relational escalation (with the caveat that some of these processes-e.g., self disclosure, uncertainty-also play important roles in established relationships); The middle chapters examine issues related to maintaining a loving, fair, and intimate relationship; The latter chapters focus on challenges relational partners face, including coping with privacy needs, relational transgressions, and conflict. The last chapter is on relationship endings.
The book includes research from various disciplines, such as social psychology and family studies, but the primary focus is communication research.
The book focuses on communication within close relationships and is organized using a developmental approach: The early chapters focus on processes that shape initial interaction and relational escalation (with the caveat that some of these processes-e.g., self disclosure, uncertainty-also play important roles in established relationships); The middle chapters examine issues related to maintaining a loving, fair, and intimate relationship; The latter chapters focus on challenges relational partners face, including coping with privacy needs, relational transgressions, and conflict. The last chapter is on relationship endings.
The book includes research from various disciplines, such as social psychology and family studies, but the primary focus is communication research.
More details
Edition
2nd Revised edition
Language
English
Place of publication
Thousand Oaks
United States
Target group
College/higher education
Edition type
Revised edition
Dimensions
Height: 232 mm
Width: 187 mm
Weight
673 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4129-4953-8 (9781412949538)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
New editions
Book
01/2011
3rd Edition
SAGE Publications Inc
€89.32
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Persons
Laura K. Guerrero (PhD, University of Arizona, 1994) is a professor in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University, where she teaches courses in relational communication, nonverbal communication, emotional communication, research methods, and data analysis. She has also taught at the Pennsylvania State University and San Diego State University. Her research focuses on communication in close relationships, such as those between romantic partners, friends, and family members. Her research has examined both the "bright side" of personal relationships, including nonverbal intimacy, forgiveness, relational maintenance, and communication skill, and the "dark side" of personal relationships, including jealousy, hurtful events, conflict, and anger. She recently developed a theoretical framework (hurtful events response theory) to explain patterns of communication following hurtful events in close relationships. Dr. Guerrero has published more than 100 journal articles and chapters related to these topics. In addition to Close Encounters, her book credits include Nonverbal Communication in Close Relationships (coauthored with K. Floyd), Nonverbal Communication (coauthored with J. Burgoon & K. Floyd), The Handbook of Communication and Emotion (coedited with P. Andersen), and The Nonverbal Communication Reader (coedited with M. Hecht). She has received several research awards, including the Early Career Achievement Award from the International Association for Relationship Research, the Dickens Research Award from the Western States Communication Association, and the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award from the Interpersonal Communication Division of The International Communication Association. Dr. Guerrero serves on editorial boards for several top journals in communication and relationships. She lives in Phoenix (during the school year) and San Diego (during the summer) with her husband, Vico, and their daughters, Gabrielle and Kristiana. She enjoys reading, writing fiction (when not writing nonfiction), dancing, and taking long walks in the mountains or on the beach.
Peter Andersen (PhD, Florida State University) is a professor at San Diego State University. The author of five books and more than 150 book chapters, research papers, and journal articles, he has received recognition as one of the 100 most published scholars in the field of communication. Walid A. Afifi (PhD, University of Arizona) is professor in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he teaches interpersonal communication, relational communication, nonverbal communication, and social marketing. His research revolves around people's experience of uncertainty and their decisions to seek or avoid information in relational contexts.
Peter Andersen (PhD, Florida State University) is a professor at San Diego State University. The author of five books and more than 150 book chapters, research papers, and journal articles, he has received recognition as one of the 100 most published scholars in the field of communication. Walid A. Afifi (PhD, University of Arizona) is professor in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he teaches interpersonal communication, relational communication, nonverbal communication, and social marketing. His research revolves around people's experience of uncertainty and their decisions to seek or avoid information in relational contexts.
Content
1. Conceptualizing Relational Communication: Definitions, Principles, and Relational Messages
The Field of Personal Relationships: A Brief History
Relationships
Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Principles of Relational Communication
Relational Messages
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
2. Communicating Identity: The Social Self
The Development and Expansion of Identities
Identity, Perceptions, and Social Interaction
Principles of Identity Management
Communicating Our Identities to Others
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
3. Drawing People Together: Forces of Social Attraction
Defining Attraction
A Framework for Understanding Attraction
Personal Variables Related to Attraction
Other People's Qualities
Interpersonal Chemistry Between People
Environmental Features Related to Attraction
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
4. Making Sense of Our World: Coping with Uncertainty and Expectancy Violations
Defining Uncertainty
Uncertainty Reduction in Initial Encounters
Predicted Outcomes in Initial Encounters
Uncertainty in Established Relationships
Factors Affecting Motivation to Seek Information
Personality Differences
Expectancy Violations
Application and Summary
Discussion Questions
5. Getting Closer: Initiating and Intensifying Relationships
Self-Disclosure
Stage Theories of Relationship Development
The Turning Point Approach
First Dates
Cohabitation
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
6. Making a Love Connection: Styles of Love and Attachment
Love, Liking, and Unrequited Love
Types of Love
Attachment Theory
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
7. Communicating Sexually: The Closest Physical Encounter
Sex in Relationships
Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors
Communication Patterns
Sexual Coercion and Harassment
Sexual Satisfaction: Misconceptions and Realities
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
8. Communicating Closeness: Intimacy, Affection, and Social Support
Understanding Intimacy
The Importance of Intimacy and Affection
Nonverbal Intimacy
Verbal Intimacy
Comfort and Social Support
Theories and Models of Intimate Interaction
Sex Differences in Intimacy and Affection
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
9. Staying Close: Maintaining Intimate Relationships
Defining Relational Maintenance
Behaviors Used to Maintain Relationships
Maintenance Behavior in Various Types of Relationships
Barriers to Relational Dissolution
The Dialectical Perspective
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
10. Getting a Fair Deal: Interdependence and Equity
Interdependence Theory
The Investment Model
Equity Theory
Evolutionary Theories of Social Exchange
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
11. Playing with Power: Dominance and Influence in Relationships
Defining Power and Related Terms
Power Principles
Interpersonal Influence Goals
Verbal Power Ploys
Nonverbal Positions of Power
Power and Influence in Families
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
12. Getting Too Close for Comfort: Privacy and Secrets in Relationships
Communication Privacy Management Theory
Negotiating Privacy Boundaries in Relationships
Obsessive Relational Intrusion
Topic Avoidance
Secrets
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
13. Hurting the Ones We Love: Relational Transgressions
Hurt Feelings in Relationships
Infidelity
Jealousy
Deception
Hurtful Messages
The Aftermath of Hurtful Events
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
14. Coping with Conflict: When Relational Partners Disagree
Conflict in Relationships
Conflict Styles
Patterns of Conflict Interaction
Explanations for Conflict Patterns
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
15. Ending Relationships: Disengagement and Termination
Why Relationships End
Models of the Disengagement Process
Fifteen Ways to Leave Your Partner
Outcomes: The Results of Relationship Endings
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
The Field of Personal Relationships: A Brief History
Relationships
Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Principles of Relational Communication
Relational Messages
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
2. Communicating Identity: The Social Self
The Development and Expansion of Identities
Identity, Perceptions, and Social Interaction
Principles of Identity Management
Communicating Our Identities to Others
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
3. Drawing People Together: Forces of Social Attraction
Defining Attraction
A Framework for Understanding Attraction
Personal Variables Related to Attraction
Other People's Qualities
Interpersonal Chemistry Between People
Environmental Features Related to Attraction
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
4. Making Sense of Our World: Coping with Uncertainty and Expectancy Violations
Defining Uncertainty
Uncertainty Reduction in Initial Encounters
Predicted Outcomes in Initial Encounters
Uncertainty in Established Relationships
Factors Affecting Motivation to Seek Information
Personality Differences
Expectancy Violations
Application and Summary
Discussion Questions
5. Getting Closer: Initiating and Intensifying Relationships
Self-Disclosure
Stage Theories of Relationship Development
The Turning Point Approach
First Dates
Cohabitation
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
6. Making a Love Connection: Styles of Love and Attachment
Love, Liking, and Unrequited Love
Types of Love
Attachment Theory
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
7. Communicating Sexually: The Closest Physical Encounter
Sex in Relationships
Sexual Attitudes and Behaviors
Communication Patterns
Sexual Coercion and Harassment
Sexual Satisfaction: Misconceptions and Realities
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
8. Communicating Closeness: Intimacy, Affection, and Social Support
Understanding Intimacy
The Importance of Intimacy and Affection
Nonverbal Intimacy
Verbal Intimacy
Comfort and Social Support
Theories and Models of Intimate Interaction
Sex Differences in Intimacy and Affection
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
9. Staying Close: Maintaining Intimate Relationships
Defining Relational Maintenance
Behaviors Used to Maintain Relationships
Maintenance Behavior in Various Types of Relationships
Barriers to Relational Dissolution
The Dialectical Perspective
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
10. Getting a Fair Deal: Interdependence and Equity
Interdependence Theory
The Investment Model
Equity Theory
Evolutionary Theories of Social Exchange
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
11. Playing with Power: Dominance and Influence in Relationships
Defining Power and Related Terms
Power Principles
Interpersonal Influence Goals
Verbal Power Ploys
Nonverbal Positions of Power
Power and Influence in Families
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
12. Getting Too Close for Comfort: Privacy and Secrets in Relationships
Communication Privacy Management Theory
Negotiating Privacy Boundaries in Relationships
Obsessive Relational Intrusion
Topic Avoidance
Secrets
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
13. Hurting the Ones We Love: Relational Transgressions
Hurt Feelings in Relationships
Infidelity
Jealousy
Deception
Hurtful Messages
The Aftermath of Hurtful Events
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
14. Coping with Conflict: When Relational Partners Disagree
Conflict in Relationships
Conflict Styles
Patterns of Conflict Interaction
Explanations for Conflict Patterns
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions
15. Ending Relationships: Disengagement and Termination
Why Relationships End
Models of the Disengagement Process
Fifteen Ways to Leave Your Partner
Outcomes: The Results of Relationship Endings
Summary and Application
Discussion Questions