Interpersonal
Communication
Why is there no “S” to “Communication”?
What is Inter… Personal?
What is Imper-sonal?
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A First Look at
Interpersonal Relationships
•Why We Communicate
•The Process of Communication
•Principles and Misconceptions
•The Nature of Interpersonal Communication
•Communicating About Relationships
•Self-Esteem Clip
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How to be a success
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1) be prepared- doing
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2) Be here. 80%
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3) Ask Questions
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4) Paperwork
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5) know your prof.
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http://glory.gc.maricopa.edu/~kshinema/publicspeakingsched
ule.html
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homework (30-60 min)
Who

Kirt Shineman – ‘sh-cinnamon’
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Colo. State Un. & Emerson
College/Harvard Uni

Former GCC Director of Forensics
(Speech & Debate “Coach”)
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1. Describe the process of interpersonal communication in terms of models and principles. (I)
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2. Explain how perception affects communication and interaction. (II)
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3. Trace the development of self-concept and its influences on communication. (II)
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4. Demonstrate the ability to observe and express emotions effectively and responsibly in a variety of
communication situations. (II)
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5. Identify and describe the influences of attitudes, beliefs, and values on communication. (II)
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6. Identify and describe the purposes, elements, risks, and impact of self-disclosure. (III)
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7. Describe the relationship between language and communication. (III)
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8. Utilize effective listening and response skills in interpersonal communication settings. (III)
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9. Identify and explain the elements and characteristics of nonverbal communication. (III)
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10. Contrast effective and ineffective types of conflict management and problem solving strategies.
(IV)
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11. Demonstrate effective conflict management and problem solving strategies. (IV)
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12. Describe elements involved in relationship development, maintenance, and repair. (IV)
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13. Compare and contrast passive, assertive, and aggressive response styles. (IV)
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14. Use assertive verbal and nonverbal behaviors in a variety of interpersonal communication
situations. (IV)
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15. Explain the impact of cultural and gender variables on interpersonal interactions. (IV)
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16. Examine the impact of interpersonal communication in the workplace and in the family unit. (IV)
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17. Describe the role of ethics and civility in interpersonal communication. (III, IV)
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18. Explain the impact of technology on interpersonal communication. (IV)
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QUIZ TRUE OR FALSE
1.
Interpersonal communication is communication that occurs between three
people outside the context of their relationship and that, as it evolves,
helps them to negotiate and define their relationships with others.
2.
E-mail is not interpersonal communication because interpersonal
communication must occur face-to-face.
3.
The process of a receiver interpreting a message is decoding.
4.
A characteristic that discredits a person or makes him/her undesirable is
called a schema.
5.
Anything that interferes with a receiver's ability to attend to a message is
noise.
6.
The various verbal and nonverbal responses to a given message are called
feedback.
7.
The model that contemporary communication scholars believe best
describes the communication process is the interaction model.
8.
A word is a symbol or a representation of an idea.
9.
The relational dimension of a message is its literal meaning.
10.
In situations when people argue that they experienced a breakdown in
communication, they really experienced ineffective communication.
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14.
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Who was born in the same year you were.
Has 2+ “bumper” [window] stickers on their car.
Plays a musical instrument
Has received a traffic ticket in the last 6 months
Has had surgery in the last year
Has “visited” jail/tent city OR visited a relative in jail
Has a collection of any kind
Is left handed.
Wears contacts
Has been to Europe or Hawaii
Owns a dog
Has a tattoo
Done a keg-stand
Won a “state title” in a sport or extra-curricular activity
Why We Communicate
Four Basic Needs
•Physical Needs
•Identity Needs
•Social Needs
•Practical Goals
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Why We Communicate
Physical Needs
•Four times more likely to catch the common cold
•More likely to die prematurely
•Cancer risk is greater for those who are divorced
when compared to their married counterparts
•Quantity of contact varies from person to person
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Why We Communicate
Identity Needs
•Our sense of identity comes from interaction with
others
•Acting human is something we learn
•Messages impact and shape our self concept
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Why We Communicate
Social Needs
•Communication helps us satisfy our basic social needs
•Research suggests a strong link between effective
communication and happiness
•In one survey respondents admitted knowing more
about their dogs than they did about their neighbor’s
background
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Why We Communicate
Practical Goals
•Satisfying Instrumental Goals
•Basic v. Complicated Goals
•Communication skills and finding a job
•Communication skills ranked higher than technical
competence, work experience and specific degree earned.
•Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
•Physical, safety, social, esteem and actualization needs.
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The Process of Communication
A Linear View
•Communication is “done to” the receiver
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FIGURE 1.1
Linear Communication Model
Page 9
The Process of Communication
The Linear View
•Linear View is simplistic
•Represents methodology of television and radio
•Individuals do not take turns sending messages,
they’re sent simultaneously
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The Process of Communication
A Transactional View
•Communication is uniquely a human process
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FIGURE 1.2
Transactional
Communication Model
Page 10
The Process of Communication
The Transactional View
•Sender/Receiver becomes Communicator
•Communicators occupy different Environments
•Channels retain a significant role
•Phone, email, letters, etc.
•Internal vs. External noise
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Principles & Misconceptions
Principles
•Communication can be Intentional or Unintentional
•Someone may unintentionally overhear you
•Nonverbal messages may send an unintentional/undesired
message
•It’s impossible not to communicate
•Both intentional and unintentional communication sends a
message
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Principles & Misconceptions
Principles
•Communication is irreversible and unrepeatable
•Meaning is assigned by the receiver
•Further explanation may clarify a message but can never
“unsend” or “unreceive” it
•Communication works on two levels
•Content dimension and relational dimension
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Principles & Misconceptions
Misconceptions
•Meanings are not in words
•Meaning is assigned by the receiver
•The message sent is not the message received
•Saying something is not the same as communicating it
•Communication and shared understanding
•Ambiguity can be used to spare a friend’s feelings
•Honesty and Clarity could lead to unnecessary conflict
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Dispelling some
communication myths
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1. Myth: Everyone is an expert in
communication
2. Myth: Communication will solve any
problem
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3. Myth: Communication can break down
4. Myth: Communication is inherently good
5. Myth: More communication is always better
Principles & Misconceptions
Misconceptions
•More communication is not always better
•Too much discussion can be unproductive
•Negative communication leads to more negativity
•A person or event does not cause another's reaction
•Meaning is assigned by the receiver
•Depending on how a message is received, reactions will vary
•Communication will not solve every problem
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Nature of Interpersonal
Communication
Two Views
•Quantitative
•Dyadic Communication
•Interaction between two people is considered interpersonal
communication but a speaker and group is not
•Qualitative
•Occurs when we treat others as unique individuals
•Qualitative relationships are governed by unique rules and
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roles
Nature of Interpersonal
Communication
Technology
•Computer-Mediated Communication (CMC)
•Instant Messaging, bogging and telephonic text messages
•CMC can enrich social networks
•Text-only messages may bring people closer by minimizing
misconceptions
•CMC is not a replacement for face-to-face communication
•Some people are more comfortable communicating
electronically
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Communicating About Relationships
Relational Messages
•Affinity
•Degree to which we appreciate one another
•Immediacy
•Degree of Interest
•Respect
•Deals with esteem as apposed to affection
•Control
•Degree of power and influence
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Communicating About Relationships
Communication Competence
•Competence is situational
•What works in one situation will not always work in another
•Competence is relational
•Competence is subjective depending on who you’re
communicating with
•Competence can be learned
•While heredity does play a part in competence it can be
influenced through education and study
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Communicating About Relationships
Communication Competence
•Practice Your Skills
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FIGURE 1.3
Stages in Learning Communication
Page 31
Communicating About Relationships
Communication Competence
•Cognitive Complexity
•The ability to construct multiple scenarios for viewing an
issue
•Empathy
•Experiencing another’s situation
•Self-Monitoring
•Paying close attention to your own behaviors
•Commitment
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•People who care communicate more effectively
Communicating About Relationships
Intercultural Competence
•Intercultural Society
•Hispanic and Asian pops will triple over the next 50 years
•Intercultural Economy
•8 of the leading chemical companies are based outside the US
•9 of the leading banks are based outside of the US
•All leading construction companies are based outside of the US
•Co-Cultures
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•Age, race/ethnicity, occupation, sexual orientation, physical
disability and religion.
Communicating About Relationships
Intercultural Competence
•Motivation
•The desire to communicate with different cultures
•Tolerance for ambiguity
•Communicating from different backgrounds can be confusing
•Open-mindedness
•Avoid viewing others’ communication choices as wrong
•Knowledge and Skill
•Educate, practice and participate
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A First Look at
Interpersonal Relationships
Chapter Summary
•Why We Communicate
•The Process of Communication
•Principles and Misconceptions
•The Nature of Interpersonal Communication
•Communicating About Relationships
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