Interpersonal Communication
How
we create and
exchange messages with
others.
What are some ways
we do this? What are
the pros and cons of
each method? Make
a T-chart as we
discuss.
 Linear:
Message flows in one direction from a
sender to a receiver.
 In all interpersonal communication models,
there is always noise; meaning factors that
can impede the message from being
received.
 Interactive:
There is a sender and receiver,
but there are two additional factors
influencing the transmission—feedback
(verbal and nonverbal) and fields of
experience. If field of experience is similar
the ease of understanding is better.
 Transactional:
communication is
fundamentally multidirectional.
 The messages are exchanged through
channels, jointly creating meaning.
 Each person equally influences the
conversation.
 There is no perceived sender or receiver.
 Most interpersonal communication is
transactional
 Impacts
our relationships. It changes
thoughts, behaviors, emotions, and
relationships.


How?
Is any communication NOT interpersonal?
 I-thou



competent communication
welcoming
respectful
 I-it





Focuses on personal differences
Refuses to accept the other’s opinions as valid
Creates a distance
Views the other as an object to exploit
Becomes disrespectful and manipulative as it
worsens, and relationship deteriorates
 Think
of someone you have I-it relationship.
 Identify the qualities that cause you to see
this person as different from or inferior to
you.
 Are these differences a cause for concern?
 What similarities do you share with this
person?
 How can you communicate with this person
in ways that accept and respect differences
while appreciating and emphasizing
similarities?
 Conveys:

Content information-actual meaning of the words

Relationship information- indicates how each
person views the relationship
 Role
Play some examples of
how this works
Ex. Do you think you can rinse your
dishes and put them in the dishwasher
when you are finished with them?
 Many ways tone can be uses with the
word “no”

 This
can create problems when
perception of sender in
situation is different from the
receiver.

How can we assure we are not sending
a different message than intended?
 Communication
about how we communicate
 It is any message that includes information,
both verbal and non-verbal, that is centrally
focused on the meaning of the
communication.
 It is about how the information is perceived.
 Can


be
Intentional
Unintentional
 People
tend to attach meaning to nearly
everything you say and do.
 It
is impossible to not communicate.
 For
instance—Contact lens story
 Is

irreversable
Even how you answer your phone effects the rest
of the conversation and can change the
relationship.
 Once





it is said, you cannot take it back-
Facebook posts
Texts
Voicemails
Instagram
Spoken thoughts
 Think
before you communicate!
 Is
dynamic
 When you interact with others, your
communication and all that influences it
(perceptions, thoughts, feelings, and
emotions) is constantly in flux.
 The complex combination of perceptions,
thoughts, moods, and emotions that fuel
communication choices is constantly
changing. For instance, you are overjoyed to
see someone and then a few minutes later,
you have nothing to say to each other.
 Helen





Keller
Became blind and deaf at 19 months old
When she couldn’t hear, she stopped trying to
talk
Felt isolated and frustrated. She said she became
a phantom. That phantom threw temper
tantrums and even punched her teacher in the
mouth.
She learned sign language and began to feel a
sense of returning thought
It is a profound human need to communicate
 How
does interpersonal
communication assist people in
pursuing higher needs?
 Self
presentation goals-helps you to
determine how you are perceived
 Instrumental goals-practical aims you want
to achieve or tasks you want to accomplish
through a particular interpersonal encounter
 Relationship goals-building, maintaining, or
terminating bonds with others.