A Todd Jones 5-06
Interpersonal Communication Comm skills
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Communication skills
Ch 1 part 2 p. 27-40
I. Quiz
1. What are the two dimensions I added to the communication model?
A. Context and relationship
2. A person who is a high self-monitoring person is one who_____________
a. P. 39 Pays close attention to his/her own behavior. They are aware of how they
act in different situations.
b. Has more communication skills than one who is a low self-monitor.
3. What is metacommunication?
A. P. 30 communication about communication or the relationship.
4. Communication competence, or effective communication may be defined as what?
A. p. 32 Achieving one’s goals in a manner that, ideally, maintains or enhances the
relationship in which it occurs.
5. Meanings are not in words, they are in _________________.
A. P. 18 People
Bonus
II. Communication skills inventory (Looking workbook 1.1)
1. Discuss the outcome
III. Defining Interpersonal Communication (DeVito, The Interpersonal Communication Book,
2004)
1. Interpersonal Communication is the Communication that takes place between two people
who have an established relationship; these people are in some way connected.
A Todd Jones 5-06
Interpersonal Communication Comm skills
IV. The purpose of Interpersonal Communication
1. Learn – to better understand the external world
A. Learn about yourself; gain feedback on your feelings, thoughts, and behaviors.
2. Relate – one of the greatest human needs is to establish and maintain meaningful
relationships. You want to feel loved and liked, and you want to love and like others
3. Influence – You want to influence the attitudes, and behaviors of others
4. Play – telling stories, jokes, just passing the time.
5. Help – you comfort a friend in time of need.
V. Activity – 3 Columns activity
1. On a blank piece of paper make three columns. In the first column, write down the
names of the first five people that come to your mind.
2. In the second write down what kind of relationship you have with that person (friend,
spouse, brother, etc.)
3. In the third describe the characteristics of each relationship (close, romantic,
professional, fun, strained, etc.)
VI. Also write down
1. What is your primary source of knowledge about relationships? Write down three
sources
2. Discuss.
VII.
10 Guidelines to interpersonal communication (Weaver, p. 7).
1. Put up over head and divide students into 10 dyads, or groups of three
2. Assign them a number & have them explain it to the class
A. Strive to create and maintain an atmosphere of openness, freedom, and
responsibility.
B. Respect individual differences and uniqueness.
C. Be honest and sincere in communication.
D. Treat others as human beings who have feelings, as opposed to treating them as
objects.
E. Strive for accuracy in your communication.
F. Eliminate intentional deception, ambiguity, and obscurity from our communication.
G. Be candid and frank when you share your personal beliefs and feelings with others.
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Interpersonal Communication Comm skills
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H. Make every possible attempt to understand the world, perspective, and frame of
reference of others.
I. Help others to make healthy decisions based on accurate information.
J. Communicate with others, as we would have them communicate with us.
VIII. True or False: What do you believe about Interpersonal Communication?
(DeVito, The
Interpersonal Communication Book, 2004)
1. Good Communicators are born not made.
A. (False) Effective Communication is a learned skill – everyone can improve their
Communication skills
2. The more you communicate the better at it you will be.
A. (False) It’s the quality that matters. If you practice bad habits, you’ll likely continue to
be less effective.
3. Opening lines such as “Hello, how are you?” or “Fine weather today” serve no useful
interpersonal purpose.
A. (False) These open the channels of Communication. Small talk is standard in our
culture and many others. (Asian, Latin)
4. In your interpersonal communication, a good guide to follow is to be as open, empathetic
and supportive as you can be.
A. (False) Each interpersonal situation is unique. What is effective for one situation is
not necessarily the best for others.
5. When verbal and nonverbal messages contradict each other, people believe the verbal
message.
A. (False) People believe nonverbal messages twice as much as verbal messages.
6. The best guide to follow when communicating with people from other cultures is to ignore
the differences and treat the other person just as you’d treat people from your own
culture.
A. (False) Different cultures give different meaning to certain messages. There are also
different rules.
7. Effective interpersonal communicators do not rely on “power tactics.”
A. (False) Power is an inevitable part of all Communication and can not be eliminated.
8. Fear of public speaking is detrimental and must be eliminated.
A. (False) Most people fear PS. Use the fear to energize you when PS.
A Todd Jones 5-06
Interpersonal Communication Comm skills
9. When there is conflict, your relationship is in trouble.
A. (False) All meaningful relationships have conflict. Dealing with conflict ineffectively
can damage your relationship.
10. When two people are in a close relationship for a long period of time, one should not
have to communicate his or her needs or wants; the other person should know what
these are.
A. (False) People aren’t mind readers, this can cause barriers and unrealistic
expectations in relationships.
IX. How do you think the experience of taking this class will affect you, your
relationships, and your self-concept?
1. Can it be improved upon?
2. Can we all improve our comm. skills?
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