1. Communication: Principles for a Lifetime Portable Edition
Steven A. Beebe, Susan J. Beebe,
and Diana K. Ivy
Prepared by:
James R. Smith
State University of New York—New Paltz
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2. VOLUME 2: INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
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3. Understanding Interpersonal Communication
CHAPTER 2.1
Understanding Interpersonal Communication
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FIVE PRINCIPLES
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5. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Interpersonal communication—is communication that occurs with another person in an attempt to mutually influence each other, usually for the purpose of managing relationships.
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6. WHAT IS INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION?
Interpersonal involves quality.
Impersonal communication treats people as objects.
Interpersonal involves mutual influence.
Interpersonal helps manage relationships.
A relationship is an ongoing connection made with another person.
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7. INITIATE & MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
Interpersonal communication serves to…
INITIATE RELATIONSHIPS
MAINTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
Relationships are ongoing connections made with another person.
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RELATIONSHIP TYPES
RELATIONSHIP OF CIRCUMSTANCE
Relationship that forms situationally, one life overlaps another in some way.
RELATIONSHIP OF CHOICE
Relationship that is sought out and intentionally developed.
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9. INTERPERSONAL ATTRACTION
A good place to start exploring the process of initiating relationships is via examining the nature of attraction.
Attraction is a motivational state causing someone to think, feel, and usually behave in a positive manner toward another person.
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10. ELEMENTS OF ATTRACTION
SHORT-TERM ATTRACTION
LONG-TERM ATTRACTION
SIMILARITY
PHYSICAL ATTRACTION
SEXUAL ATTRACTION
PROXIMITY
COMPLEMENTARITY
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MATCHING HYPOTHESIS
The matching hypothesis is a tendency to seek out individuals who represent the same level of physical attractiveness as oneself.
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12. INTERPERSONAL NEEDS MOTIVATE RELATIONSHIPS
Social psychologist Will Schutz identified three interpersonal needs motivating us to form and maintain relationships.
Inclusion
Control
Affection
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13. COMMUNICATING ATTRACTION
We use both indirect and direct strategies to communicate our liking via verbal and nonverbal cues.
Immediacy refers to feelings of liking, pleasure, and closeness communicated by such nonverbal cues as eye contact, touch, and open body orientation.
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14. THAT FIRST CONVERSATION
Online and face-to-face (FtF) encounters are different.
Some practical suggestions
Reduce uncertainty
Find something you have in common
Ask great questions
Give/receive compliments
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REDUCING UNCERTAINTY
Passive strategy involves observing others and situations to reduce uncertainty.
Active strategy involves acquiring information from a third party.
Interactive strategy involves communicating directly to the source who has greatest potential to reduce uncertainty.
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16. TALK ABOUT YOURSELF TOO MUCH?
Conversational narcissism is a style of communication that emerges from the view that you are the center of the universe.
Self-absorbed style is a dominating communication style in which one focuses attention on the self.
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POSITIVE ACTIONS
Practice the art and skill of asking great questions.
Practice the art and skill of giving and receiving compliments.
Giving compliments is tricky. Some attempts at flattery can be taken the wrong way.
Consider male/female relations in the workplace.
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18. MAINTAINING RELATIONSHIPS
Many interpersonal communication forms are necessary to maintain successful relationships.
Self-disclosure and expressing emotions are particularly important.
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19. MAINTAINING SELF-DISCLOSURE
Self-Disclosure is the process of voluntarily providing information to others that they would not learn if you didn’t tell them.
Appropriateness aspect of self-disclosure regarding the propriety of information.
Reciprocity is sharing information about oneself with the expectation that the other person will also share information similar in risk or depth.
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EXPRESSING EMOTIONS
Expressing emotions is another powerful way we reveal ourselves to deepen relationships.
As relationships become more intimate, expectations that a partner will openly disclose emotions increase.
Emotional expression varies by culture.
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STUDY HINTS
Read Chapter Summary and Recaps
Know terms in boldface and definitions
Review communication elements in initiating and maintaining relationships
Study elements of interpersonal attraction and uncertainty reduction.
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