Chapter 1: A First Look at Interpersonal Relationships PowerPoint Presentation to accompany Looking Out/Looking In, Tenth Edition Chapter 1: A First Look at Interpersonal Relationships Presentation prepared by Dr. Michael Pearson, Gretchen Gill, and Tim Scanlon of West Chester University Copyright © 2002 Thomson Learning, Inc. Thomson Learning™ is a trademark used herein under license. For permission to use material from this text, contact us by: Phone: 1-800-730-2214 Fax: 1-800-730-2215 Web: www.thomsonrights.com Copyright © 2002 Thomson Learning, Inc. 1

A First Look at Interpersonal Relationships CHAPTER 1 A First Look at Interpersonal Relationships Copyright © 2002 Thomson Learning, Inc. 2

A First Look at Interpersonal Relationships Why We Communicate The Process of Communication Communication Principles and Misconceptions The Nature of Interpersonal Communication Communicating about Relationships Communication Competence: What Makes an Effective Communicator? Copyright © 2002 Thomson Learning, Inc. 3

Physical Needs Identity Needs Social Needs Practical Goals Why We Communicate Physical Needs Identity Needs Social Needs Practical Goals Instrumental Goals - getting others to behave in ways we want Copyright © 2002 Thomson Learning, Inc. 4

The Process of Communication A Linear View Linear Communication Model Sender - encodes ideas and feelings Message - organized ideas and feelings Channel - means of conveying messages Receiver - decodes the message Noise - any forces that interfere with effective communication Environments - fields of experience that help to understand others’ behavior Copyright © 2002 Thomson Learning, Inc. 5

The Process of Communication A Transactional View Transactional Communication Model Feedback - response of a receiver to a sender’s message Behavior - replaces the term of encoding, describes both deliberate and unintentional actions that can be observed and interpreted 6

The Process of Communication Definition of Communication - a continuous, transactional process involving participants who occupy different but overlapping environments and create relationships the exchange of messages. 7

Communication Principles and Misconceptions Communication can be intentional or unintentional It’s impossible not to communicate Communication is irreversible Communication is unrepeatable 8

Communication Principles and Misconceptions Meanings are not in words More communication is not always better No single person or event causes another’s reaction Communication will not solve all problems 9

The Nature of Interpersonal Communication Two Views of Interpersonal Communication 1. Quantitative Definition - based on the interaction between two people Dyad - term used by social scientists to refer to two people interacting 2. Qualitative Definition - occurs when people treat one another as unique individuals 10

The Nature of Interpersonal Communication Several features distinguish qualitatively interpersonal communication from less personal communication Uniqueness Irreplaceability Interdependence Amount of disclosure Intrinsic rewards

Technology and Interpersonal Communication The Nature of Interpersonal Communication Technology and Interpersonal Communication Computer mediated communication (CMC) E-mail Instant messaging Online chat

Communicating About Relationships Content and Relational Messages Content - contains the subject being discussed Relational - how the parties feel toward one another Metacommunication Metacommunication - describes messages people exchange about their relationship 12

Communicating About Relationships Types of Relational Messages 1. Affinity - the degree to which people like or appreciate one another 2. Respect - to be held in esteem by others 3. Control - the degree to which the parties have the power to influence one another 13

Communicating About Relationships Types of Control Decision Conversational Distribution of Control Complementary - when distribution of power is equal Symmetrical - partners seek same degree of control Parallel - power shifts from one to another, according to situation 14

Communication Competence: What Makes An Effective Communicator? Communication Competence Defined Communication Competence – achieving one’s goals in a manner that, ideally, maintains or enhances the relationship in which it occurs There is no “ideal” way to communicate. Competence is situational. Competence is relational. Competence can be learned. 15

Communication Competence: What Makes An Effective Communicator? Characteristics of Competent Communicators A wide range of behaviors Ability to choose the most appropriate behavior Skill at performing behaviors (Four stages) . Beginning Awareness . Awkwardness . Skillfulness . Integration 16

Communication Competence: What Makes An Effective Communicator? Characteristics of Competent Communicators Cognitive Complexity - ability to construct a variety of different frameworks for viewing an issue Self-Monitoring - paying attention to one’s behavior and using these observations to shape the way one behaves Commitment - people who seem to care about relationships communicate better than those who don’t. 17