Chapter 1 - Interpersonal Communication
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Transcript Chapter 1 - Interpersonal Communication
Introduction to Interpersonal
Communication
Dr. Michael I. Arrington
COM 252
University of Kentucky
What is communication?
What do you think communication is?
How would you define it?
Take a few moments to
write down some
thoughts…
write
Communication
Communication is defined as the interchange
of thoughts or opinions through shared
symbols; e.g. language, words, phrases
Some synonyms of the word communication
are: message, directive, word, contact,
commerce, communion, intercommunication,
intercourse; converse, exchange,
interchange, conversing, discussing, talking;
conversation, discussion, talk, advice,
intelligence, news, tidings
Shared symbols
Sometimes when we communicate we
assume we are using shared symbols when
we might not be.
Think about the term “asap”, “as soon as
possible”. What does it really mean?
Think about how the meaning might change
in the situations on the next slide…
Shared symbols
How might the meaning of “asap” change in
these situations?…
My wife asks me to take out the trash asap; but
UK is playing Louisville on TV.
My coworker asks for help with an article she is
writing. She needs help asap; but I have another
job to finish before lunch.
My boss, whom I like to please, asks me to talk
with a job applicant, but I already have a stack of
other jobs to finish.
Shared symbols
In the previous examples, we’ve seen the
meaning of “asap” change from “in a few
days” to “immediately”.
Many other words and phrases are also
vague and have different meanings for
different people.
Shared symbols are not always completely
shared. The message intended is not always
the message received.
Principle of Communication
Stimulates meaning in
the mind of the other
Both verbal and
nonverbal
Symbolic
A process
Functional
Systematic
Interactional
Transactional
Principles of IPC
Involves a process of
adjustment
Every message has both
a content and relational
level of meaning
Relationships may be
viewed as symmetrical or
complementary
Can be intentional or
unintentional
Communication is a
series of punctuated
events
IPC is a transactional
process
Inevitable
Irreversible
Unrepeatable
Maxims of Communication
You cannot not communicate.
Watzlawick, Beavin, & Jackson, 1967
The quality of your communication directly
affects the quality of your life.
There is no one right way to be an
effective communicator, or do an effective
relationship.
Myths About Communication
Communication will solve all
our problems
We need more communication
Communication can break
down
All communication seeks
understanding
Communication is a good thing
Meanings are in words
Communication is a natural
ability
A competent communicator is
competent across contexts
Causality can usually be
attributed to a single action
Why do we communicate?
What do you think?
Take a few moments to
down some of
thoughts…
write
your
Why we communicate
• We communicate to:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Share our ideas and opinions
Provide feedback to others
Get information from others
Gain power and influence
Develop social relationships
Maintain self-expression and our culture
and other ideas you may have thought of
How do we communicate?
Think of the many ways in which you
communicate…
Take a few moments to
write down some of
thoughts…
your
How we communicate
We communicate and build interpersonal
relationships through:
Speech
Writing
Listening
Non-verbal language
Music, art, and crafts
Choosing your medium
Depending upon the situation, one method
of communication may be better than
another.
In person: one-to-one
In person: meetings, small groups
In person: presentations, large groups
Letter
Memo or Note
Email
Voice mail
Text message
Choosing your medium
To determine the best medium for your
message determine:
What you as the sender need to achieve
What the receiver needs to know. What the
receiver wants to know
How detailed, important, and or personal the
information in the message is
Which behavior you want to influence and
how
Choosing your medium
How would you communicate…
To your parents that you were getting married
To your friend that you quit your job
To your co-worker about a notice of a meeting
To a classmate that you wanted to work together
on the project
To your teacher that you were having problems in
the class
Barriers to communication
What are barriers to communication that exist
in these settings?
School
Work
Family
Take a few moments to
write down some of
your thoughts…
Barriers to communication
Some common barriers to interpersonal
communication include:
Unclear process: The receiver and sender may not share the
same language, slang, jargon, vocabulary, symbols
Chain of command: There may be too many layers that a
message passes through between sender and receiver
Large size of an organization, geographic
distance: Large numbers of receivers require good message
sending methods
Personal limitations: Physical and mental disabilities, and
differences in intelligence and education may interfere with mutual
understanding
Barriers to communication
Additional common barriers to
interpersonal communication include:
Human nature: Peoples’ egos, prejudices, and traditions
can get in the way
Conflicting feelings, goals, opinions: If people
feel on opposite sides of an issue they may not share
Power: The idea that knowledge is power can lead to
information hoarding
and other ideas you may have thought of
Sharing your ideas
Why and when is it necessary to share
your ideas?
Take a few moments to
down some of
thoughts…
write
your
We share ideas to…
State an opinion or position
Give instructions or directions
Announce a change
Make presentations
Participate in meetings
Give information in emergencies
Communicate the organizational mission,
vision, and values
and other ideas you may have thought of
Obstacles to sharing ideas
What can make sharing ideas difficult?
Take a few moments to
write down some of
your thoughts…
Obstacles to sharing ideas…
Your own shyness
Fear of rejection
Peer pressure
Unorganized thinking
Others possibly becoming defensive
Physical disabilities (impaired sight, hearing, speech)
Having to deal with aggressive people
and others you may have thought of
Speak for yourself…
To ensure your messages are clear,
speak for yourself, not for others:
Speaking for yourself sounds like:
I, me, my…
I think, I feel, I want to know that…
Speaking for no one sounds like:
It, some people, everyone, they decided…
Speaking for others sounds like:
We, you, John, Mary said…
SHARE your ideas – a model
State the main point of your message
Highlight other important points
Assure the receiver’s understanding
React to how the receiver responds
Emphasize/summarize your main ideas
SHARE – an example
State the main point of your message
“I’d like to talk to you the new employee welcome program”.
Highlight other important points
“We need to discuss the new schedule, locations, and presenters”.
Assure the receiver’s understanding
“Do you need me to further clarify how we are making invitations”?
React to how the receiver responds
“I understand your concern about parking”.
Emphasize/summarize your main ideas
“To wrap-up, I’ll develop the schedule and make the room
reservations, if you can line up the guest speakers”.
Getting good information
Why is it necessary to get good
information from others?
Take a few moments to
down some of
thoughts…
write
your
Get good information to…
Find out facts and details
Get directions or instructions
Try to understand another’s point of view
Help someone solve a problem
Resolve a team conflict
Solve work problems
and other ideas you may have thought of
Obstacles to getting good
information
What can make getting good
information difficult?
Take a few moments to
down some of
thoughts…
write
your
Obstacles to getting good information
Lack of trust
Assuming you already know it all
Jumping to conclusions
Not valuing diverse opinions
Weak reading skills
Weak listening skills
Weak questioning skills
and other ideas you may have thought of
Competent Communication Involves…
Having a large repertoire of skills
Becoming adaptable
Knowledge and skill
Being involved
Having empathy & perspective-taking
Being cognitively complex
Self-monitoring
Tolerating ambiguity
Being open-minded
So what makes a
“relationship”?
3 Primary Functions of Relationships
Inclusion
We all need to be a part of something
We have social and identity needs
Affection
We all need to be loved
Absence of = failure to
thrive (Maslow)
We have physical needs
Control
All have a need to be
influenced
All have a need to
influence others
We have practical
needs
Continuum of Relationships
(Steve Duck, University of Iowa, 1989)
It is impossible to have a non-interpersonal
relationship
The basic unit of interpersonal communication is
the dyad
There exists a continuum of relationships
between social and personal
A relationship begins when there exists a
mutual “recognition” of the other
Not a personal relationship until a “mutual
caring and concern exists between people”
What Makes a Relationship “Personal”?
The interaction is
personal
It is unique
It is irreplaceable
There is
interdependence
There is selfdisclosure
There are intrinsic
rewards