Communication & Interpersonal
Skills
Chapter One:
A First Look at Interpersonal Communication
Ronald B. Adler, Russell F. Proctor II
1
Communication
• Communication is the transferring and understanding
meaning
• A process of sending and receiving symbols with
messages attached to them.
2
Effective Communication
• Occurs when the intended meaning of the sender is
identical to the interpreted meaning of the receiver.
• The best idea, or suggestions, or plans cannot take form
without communication
• Communication can take many forms:
• Oral vs. written
• Verbal vs. non-verbal
3
Effective Communication
• Effective communication occurs when two important
things take place. The expression of a thought or feeling
and the effective listening of that expressed concept.
• Talking is easy; communication requires greater skill. It
demands that we listen and speak skillfully, not just talk
mindlessly.
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The Importance of Communication
• The Power of Silence
• Fredrick II
• The Power of Isolation
• Five Subjects to be paid to remain alone in a locked room
• Contact and Companionship
5
We Communicate to Satisfy Needs
Physical Needs
• Link Between Communication
“We must love one another or die.”
W.H. Auden
and Physical Well-being
• Quality and Quantity Vary By
Individuals
6
We Communicate to Satisfy Needs
Identity Needs
• We Learn Who We are Through
Communication
• We Come to See Ourselves as
Others See Us
7
We Communicate to Satisfy Needs
Social Needs
• Pleasure
• Affection
• Companionship
• Escape
• Relaxation
“Who can enjoy alone?”
John Milton Paradise Lost
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We Communicate to Satisfy Needs
Practical (Instrumental) Goals
• Communication Skills Top Factor in
Getting Jobs
• Keeping Job and Advancement
Tied to Communication Skills
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We Communicate to Satisfy Needs
Maslow’s Basic Needs
• Maslow’s Hierarchy
of Needs
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We Communicate to Satisfy Needs
Maslow’s Basic Needs
• Maslow’s Hierarchy
of Needs
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We Communicate to Satisfy Needs
Maslow’s Basic Needs
• Maslow’s Hierarchy
of Needs
12
We Communicate to Satisfy Needs
Maslow’s Basic Needs
• Maslow’s Hierarchy
of Needs
13
We Communicate to Satisfy Needs
Maslow’s Basic Needs
• Maslow’s Hierarchy
of Needs
14
The Process of Communication
A Linear View
15
The Process of Communication
A Linear View
• Sender
• Encoding
• Receiver
• Noise
• Message
• External (physical)
• Channel
• Physiological
• Decoding
• Psychological
• Environments
16
The Process of Communication
A Transactional View
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The Process of Communication
A Transactional View
• Communicator Replaces Sender
• We Send and Receive Messages Simultaneously
• Communicators Often Occupy Different
Environments
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The Process of Communication
A Transactional View (con’t)
• Communication Channels Retain Importance
• Noise Continues to Be Important
• Communication is With Others, Not To Them
• Relational Communication is Unique
19
The Process of Communication
20
Question:
• When Tomas failed his calculus exam, he was so upset
that he couldn’t understand the explanations provided by
his professor. This example best illustrates:
•
a. external noise
•
b. physiological noise
•
c. psychological noise
•
d. feedback noise
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Communication Principles
• Communication Can Be Intentional or
Unintentional
• It’s Impossible Not to Communicate
• Communication is Irreversible
• Communication is Unrepeatable
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Communicating About Relationships
Content and Relational Messages
• The Content is the Subject
• The Relational Dimension Makes Statements About
How the Parties Feel Toward the Other
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Avoiding Communication
Misconceptions
• Meanings are Not in Words
• Successful Communication Doesn’t Always Involve
Understanding
• More Communication is Not Always Better
• No Single Person or Event Causes Another’s Reaction
• Communication Will not Solve All Problems
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Interpersonal communication is
contextual
communication does not happen in isolation.
• Psychological context:
Who you are and what you bring to the interaction. Your needs,
desires, values, personality, etc.
("You" here refers to both participants in the interaction.)
• Relational context:
Your reactions to the other person.
• Situational context:
Deals with the psycho-social "where" you are communicating.
• Cultural context:
Includes all the learned behaviors and rules that affect the
interaction. If you come from a culture (foreign or within your own
country).
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Nature of Interpersonal
Communication-Two Views
• Quantitative—Dyadic
• Qualitative
• When people treat one another as unique individuals,
regardless of the context in which the interaction occurs or
the number of people involved.
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Nature of Interpersonal
Communication
• Uniqueness
• Irreplaceability
• Interdependence
• Disclosure
• Intrinsic Rewards
• Scarcity
27
Question:
• Qualitatively interpersonal communication is different
from less personal interaction in which of the following
ways?
•
a.
Qualitatively interpersonal relationships are
characterized
by the development of unique rules
and roles.
•
b.
In a qualitatively interpersonal relationship,
you spend time
with the other person because
you find the time personally
rewarding.
•
c.
In a qualitatively interpersonal relationship,
you feel more
comfortable sharing your thoughts and
feelings.
•
d.
All of the above statements are true.
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Technology and
Interpersonal Communication
• Computer-Mediated Communication
• May Reduce Face-to-Face Communication
• May Enhance Interpersonal Communication
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Personal and Impersonal
Communication:
A Matter of Balance
• Most Relationships are not Either
Interpersonal Or Impersonal
• Personal Elements in Impersonal Encounters
• Impersonal Elements in Interpersonal Encounters
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Communication Competence
• Involves Achieving One’s Goals While Preserving
Relationships
• Competent communication is;
Effective & Appropriate
• No “Ideal” Way to Communicate
• Competence is Situational
• Competence is Relational
• Competence Can Be Learned
31
Characteristics of Competent
Communicators
• Wide Range of Behaviors
• Ability to Choose Most Appropriate Behavior
• Context
• Your Goal
• Your Knowledge of the Other
• Skill at Performing Behaviors
32
Communication Competence
Skill at Performing Behaviors
• Beginning Awareness
33
Communication Competence
Skill at Performing Behaviors
• Beginning Awareness
• Awkwardness
34
Communication Competence
Skill at Performing Behaviors
• Beginning Awareness
• Awkwardness
• Skillfulness
35
Communication Competence
Skill at Performing Behaviors
• Beginning Awareness
• Awkwardness
• Skillfulness
• Integration
36
Characteristics of Competent
Communicators
• Cognitive Complexity
• Empathy- Perspective Taking
• Self-Monitoring
• Commitment
37
Competence in Intercultural
Communication
• Motivation
• Tolerance for ambiguity
• Open-mindedness
• Knowledge and Skill
38