Essentials of Human
Communication, 6/e
Chapter Six:
Interpersonal
Communication,
Conversation, and
Relationships
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Human Communication
Chapter Goals
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Communicate in relationships more
effectively.
Assess and manage your own
relationships in light of research and
theory.
Communicate more effectively in
different cultural and technological
contexts.
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Conversational Realities
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Dialogue occurs in a
number of places,
contexts, and
channels.
Language disorders
can interrupt the
conversational
process and require
certain adjustments
to maintain smooth
dialogue.
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5 Steps of Conversation
Opening
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Opening
o
o
Greets the other person(s)
Serves to:
Signal access for a conversation
 small talk (phatic communication)
 relational information
 relational maintenance

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5 Steps of Conversation
Feedforward
Opening
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Feedforward
Opens channels of communication
 Previews future messages

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5 Steps of Conversation
Business
Feedforward
Opening
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Business
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The substance and focus of the conversation
Fulfills one of the basic components of interpersonal
communication: learn, relate, influence, play, or help
Exchanges roles of speaker/listener frequently
Ask questions and clarify (especially in online
communications)
Strive for balance between sending and receiving
Uses turn taking cues
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5 Steps of Conversation
Business
Feedforward
Feedback
Opening
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5 Steps of Conversation
Business
Feedforward
Feedback
Opening
Closing
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Closing
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The “good bye” of the conversation
Combination of verbal and nonverbal
Usually signals some degree of
supportiveness
May summarize the interaction as a
conclusion
Ending e-mail/instant messaging can be
difficult because of lacking nonverbal cues
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Principles of Conversation
o
o
o
Turn-taking
Dialogue
Immediacy
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The Principle of Turn-Taking
• Speaker
Cues
• Turn-Maintaining Cues
• Turn-Yielding Clues
• Listener
Cues
•Turn-Requesting Cues
• Turn-Denying Cues
• Backchanneling Clues
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Principles of Conversation
The Principle of Turn-Taking
The Principle of Dialogue
The Principle of Immediacy
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The Stages of Interpersonal Relationships
Contact
Involvement
Intimacy
Deterioration
Repair
Dissolution
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Interpersonal Relationship Types
• Friendship
• Love
• Primary Relationships
and Families
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Human Communication
Friendship of Reciprocity
Characterized by loyalty, self-sacrifice, mutual affection, and generosity
Friendship of Receptivity
Imbalance of giving and receiving
Friendship of Association
No great loyalty, no great trust, no great giving or receiving
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Human Communication
LOVE
LOVE
Eros love = beauty, sensuality
Ludic love = entertainment and excitement
Storge love = peaceful and tranquil
Pragma love = practical and traditional
Manic love = obsessive
Agapic love = compassionate and selfless
LOVE
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Human Communication
PRIMARY RELATIONSHIPS AND FAMILIES
Traditional couples
Independents
Separates
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THEORIES OF INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS
Attraction
• Physical attractiveness and
personality
• Similarity
• Proximity
• Reinforcement
Relationship Rules
• Friendship Rules
•Romantic Rules
Social Penetration
• Breadth
• Depth
• Depenetration
Social Exchange
and Equity
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Human Communication
CULTURE, TECHNOLOGY,
WORK AND RELATIONSHIPS
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