Transcript The role of communication in maintaining relationships

The Role of Communication
in Maintaining Relationships
By Mr Daniel Hansson
Questions for Discussion
1. Think of a relationship that works well
and a relationship that does not work so
well. Think of reasons why there is a
difference in how well these relationships
work
2. Think of ways that men and women are
different when it comes to communication
3. List all the personal information that you
know about people in the class
4. Think back to the therapy role plays that
we did last year. What worked well, what
did not and what were the reasons?
Characteristics of
communication
We communicate for a variety of reasons
Communication may have intentional and
unintentional effects
Communication is reciprocal
Communication involves at least two people who
influence each other’s actions
Communication involves the use of symbols
Communication need not be successful to have
occurred
Communication and relationships
Communication is one of most
important factors for a well functioning
relationship
If there is no communication there is
no relationship
Communication is especially
important in therapeutic relationships
Communication Factors Influencing
the Quality of a Relationship
Attribution
Self disclosure
Individual and cultural differences in
communication
Attribution
Attribution theory (Kelley 1973):
We use multiple observations of
others to draw inferences about the
causes of someone’s behavior. Our
knowledge about people is based on
these inferences and affects our
perception about them
Attribution
Fundamental attribution error: The tendency to
overestimate dispositional factors and to
underestimate situational factors of behavior
Bradbury & Fincham (1990): Conducted a metaanalysis of research studies on attributions made
by couples on each others behavior. Poor marital
quality was related to attributing negative
behaviors to dispositional factors.
Bradbury & Fincham (1993): A 12-month
longitudinal study showed that the kind of
attributions married couples made predicted
marital satisfaction at the end of the study.
Self Disclosure
Social penetration theory (Altman &
Taylor, 1973): Relationships are formed by
a gradual process of self-disclosure; the
sharing of personal facts, inner thoughts
and feelings
Collins & Miller (1994): A meta analysis
showed that people who disclose intimate
information about themselves are more
liked than people who don’t
Johari window
Known to self
Known to others Open
Not known to others Hidden
Not known to self
Blind
Unknown
Individual Differences
Tannen (1990): In observational studies,
she found gender differences in how men
and women have conversations. Men
interrupt more, women use more language
tags, women prefer emotional support
whereas men tend to have a problem
solving approach to problems
Reis (1986): Women self disclose more
than men. Women also disclose more to
other women than men to other men.