1. Chapter 1: Communication Principles
Addendum for Interplay 12th Ed.

2. Communication is Predicated on the Past
We learn language
We learn rules of behavior
We all have our own “canned plans” of scripts we draw upon when confronted with specific situations.
Not all scripts we use are ideal BUT
We CAN learn new scripts.

3. Why do we communicate? To Share Meaning To meet Social Goals
To Manage our Personal Identity
Barnlund’s six selves
To conduct our relationships

4. Interpersonal Communication Principles
Interpersonal Communication is Transactional
It’s Dynamic
We co-create meaning
Communication can be both intentional and unintentional
Communication is Both Verbal and Nonverbal
Nonverbal communication is analogical
Verbal communication is digital (or discrete)

5. Interpersonal Communication Principles
Communication Contains both Content and Relationship Dimensions
Communication doesn’t have to be Intentional
Communication is Irreversible, Unrepeatable, and Unavoidable.

6. Interpersonal Communication Principles
Interpersonal Communication Messages Vary in Degree of Conscious Encoding
A. Ritualized communication:
Phatic (used to convey a pleasant social mood; Have a nice day!)
Daily Rituals
B. Technical communication
Communication is a Series of Punctuated Events.
Interpersonal Communication is situated (contextual)

7. Interpersonal Communication Principles
Communication Involves many Channels
A. Mass Media
B. Interpersonal Media
C. Mixed media
Communication varies in the level of Media Richness
Communication is Historical

8. What makes Social Media Different than Face to Face?
The temporal structure is different:
F2F communication happens in real time (synchronous)
It allows for asynchronous messages
The media lack many social cues of conversation
It’s less media rich in some ways.
Lean Rich
Bulk Mail Letters, Facebook Telephone Skype Face to Face
Posters Texting, Twitter

9. Interpersonal Communication Principles
*Interpersonal Communication often presents Ethical Challenges. Ethical communicators. . .
are Truthful and Honest?
have Integrity (or are consistent in their beliefs or actions)
are Fair
act with Respect to other points of view
are Responsible for their actions
demonstrate Empathy for others

10. Communication Misconceptions
Not all Communication Seeks Understanding
Strategic Ambiguity
More Communication is Not Always Better
Communication Cannot Solve all Problems
Effective Communication is Not a Natural Ability

11. Defining Interpersonal Communication
Quantitatively
Involves at least 2 people (Called Dyadic Communication)
Qualitatively
Involves the quality and nature of the interpersonal relationship
Acquaintances
Friends
Intimate Friends
Romantic Relationships

12. Communication Competence
To communicate effectively one should be both appropriate and effective in the communication.
There is no single ideal or effective way of communicating
Competence is situational, it exists in degrees and is not easily defined.
Competence CAN be learned

13. Effective Communicators Pay Attention and Modify Skillsets
More skills can help with a variety of goals
One must be adaptable to choose skills for specific situations (O’Keefe)
You must practice skills to become competent
Effective Communication Occurs when people involved care about one another and the topic at hand
Empathy/perspective taking is the ability to understand and influence others.
Cognitive Complexity is the ability to construct a variety of different frameworks for viewing an issue.
Self-Monitoring is important

14. Constructivism People co-create meaning
What one says or does affects the other
The channel and context affect relationships as well
Barbara O’Keefe’s Message Design Logics
Expressive MDL
Conventional MDL
Rhetorical MDL
As we grow in knowledge, we learn new skills and abilities to communicate.