Transcript Interpersonal Communication: Couples, Teams, Cultures

Interpersonal Communication
Chapter 6
Interpersonal Communication
► Interpersonal
Communication -
 The process of using messages to generate
meaning between at least two people in a
situation that allows mutual opportunities for
both speaking and listening. (p. 136)
 Broad definition, very general.
 Includes everyone we talk to.
Interpersonal Communication
► Interpersonal
Relationships –
 Associations between two people who are
interdependent, who use some consistent
patterns of interaction, and who have interacted
for an extended period of time. (p. 137)
 More specific (pure) definition.
 Develops from interpersonal communication.
Interpersonal Communication
► Which
individuals below would you not
consider as having an interpersonal
relationship with?
Mother?
Best friend?
Cashier?
Boss?
Instructor?
Interpersonal Communication
► Complementary
relationships –
 Where each person supplies something the
other person lacks. (p. 139)
► Symmetrical
relationships –
 Where each individual mirror each other or are
highly similar. (p. 139)
Activity
How many friends do you have?
How many are close friends?
How many are “best” friends?
Think of what you look for in a friend
In other words, what characteristics should they have?
Would you consider most of your friends
complementary or symmetrical?
Reasons for Relationships
► Proximity
– Location, distance, or range
between persons.
► Attractiveness – How desirable is this
person? How much “social value” do they
have? Would he/she make you look better?
 Similarity – Like or dislike the same things.
 Complementarity – strengths are our
weaknesses.
Interpersonal Relationships
► Self-disclosures
 The process of making intentional revelations
about yourself that others would be unlikely to
know that generally constitute private, sensitive,
or confidential information. (p. 140)

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BUILDS AND MAINTAINS RELATIONSHIPS!!!
Increases feelings of closeness or intimacy.
Tends to be reciprocal. (back and forth)
Helps others to see us as unique individuals.
Varies across individuals, relationships, and cultures.
Self-Disclosures
Curvilinear Relationship:
high

Relational
Satisfaction
low


low
high
Self-disclosure
Relational Development
Bonding
Integrating
Intensifying
Experimenting
Initiating
TIME
Relational Development
► Initiating
– “Hello” …
► Experimenting – Sharing information at a
safe level.
► Intensifying – Active participation, mutual
concern, both acknowledge relationship is
developing.
► Integrating – Mirroring. Merge social
circles. Common property. Shared
interests/values.
► Bonding – Commitment. Exchange
personal items. Public rituals that display
bond. (Marriage, birth of child, deaths, etc.)
Relationship Maintenance
► Relationship
maintenance –
 Establishment of strategies for keeping the
relationship together.
►
Occurs throughout the development process, even though the book says it
takes place after bonding.
 Frequency of contact keeps relationships going.
 Helps to predict how satisfied you are with your relationship.
Relationship Maintenance
► What
do you use to maintain your
friendships?
► What
works best?
► What are you most satisfied with?
► What would you rather not do?
Relationship Deterioration
Differentiating
Circumscribing
Stagnating
Avoiding
Termination
TIME
Relationship Deterioration
► Differentiating
– Emphasize differences.
Do things separate from each other.
► Circumscribing – Decreased interaction,
less time spent together, less breadth and
depth to disclosures.
► Stagnating – Lack of activity together.
Only together for convenience. Awkward
conversations.
► Avoiding – Active avoidance. Negative
conversations (try to hurt each other).
► Terminating – Divorce, ending of
relationship.
Relationship Stage Model
Bonding
Differentiating
Integrating
Circumscribing
Intensifying
Stagnating
Avoiding
Experimenting
Initiating
Termination
TIME
Relational Dialectics
►
Relational Dialectics – “the tension that
exists between two conflicting or interacting
forces, elements, or ideas…having two
opposing ideas [or desires/feelings] for
maintaining the relationship” (p. 146)
► Both/And
Relational Dialectics
Separateness >----------------< Connectedness
(Separation)
“I need some alone time”
(Integration)
“Why don’t we do more things together?”
Certainty >--------------------------< Uncertainty
(Stability)
“I’m glad you’ll always be here”
(Change)
“You’re so boring and predictable”
Openness >-------------------------< Closedness
(Expression)
“Why don’t you tell me when you’re mad”
(Privacy)
“Quit being such a cry-baby”
Relational Dialectics
► Which
clip?
relational dialectic is apparent in this
► http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DOH0tR
Uqh1k
Questions?