Interpersonal Communication
Introduction to interpersonal communication:
verbal and non-verbal face-to-face interactions;
understanding messages sent and received; awareness and resolutions of
communication barriers.
There are two goals for this course:
To introduce interpersonal communication concepts and theories
To help you learn new communication skills
Upon successful completion of this class, you should be able to
1. Identify, describe, and explain major concepts involved in interpersonal communication,
2. Understand interdisciplinary character of the subject of Interpersonal Communication
3. Analyze interpersonal communication issues with the knowledge of a basic scientific methodology.
Upon successful completion of this class, you should be able to
4. Identify and provide solutions to some commonly encountered communication barriers.
5. Gain self-awareness of your ability as an interpersonal communicator.
Experiential Learning
This course combines theory and practice. For a student to benefit from the class beyond learning the basic interpersonal theories, the course requires active participation in the class and a serious attempt to integrate:
conceptualizations based on the reading, observations, lectures and
everyday experiences in interpersonal communication.
Why we communicate? Physical Needs Social Needs: Predicting behavior/ social
participation Identity Needs: Reinforcing/building
identity Practical Needs / Goals: Accomplishing
something
The Interpersonal Imperative Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Physical needs Safety needs Belonging needs Self-esteem needs Self-actualization needs
Communication The transmission of information, idea, emotion,
skills, etc. by the use of symbols—words, pictures, figures, etc.
It involves source (sender), receiver, message, channel, context, etc.
It has a purpose (is intentional) Is interactive (message elicits response)
Communication Objectives
Primary:
Inform, persuade, entertain, instruct, educate,
inspire, undermine, refute, destroy.
Secondary:
Earn money, sell newspapers, attract
advertisers, represent clients, etc.
Communication discipline / research
Communication research examines the processes by which meanings are created and managed
How people structure and interpret messages and use symbols (language) in several contexts
Communication contexts (areas of communication research)
Interpersonal communication Intercultural / International Group communication Mass Communication Organizational communication Public communication
Communication Research: A Brief History
Foundations in Classical Greece and Rome—emphasis on Rhetoric. Aristotle, Plato, Isocrates, Cicero.
Early 20th Century Emergence of Departments of “Speech” Emphasis on Speech and Rhetoric
World War II and Post-War Era Concerns with attitude formation and change Emergence of social and behavioral science approaches
Late 20th Century Concerns with mass communication, public policy, and media Concerns with new communication technologies, cultural
approaches
Significant areas of communication research:
Communication and public policy Family communication Health communication Intercultural communication Interpersonal communication Media economics Nonverbal communication Organizational communication Persuasion and social influence Political and social rhetoric / Mass Communication Media effects
Examples of research interests Interpersonal communication: conflict in
relationships, nature of love relationships Political communication: political campaigns,
First Amendment issues, ethics Intercultural: the effect of culture on
communication, understanding, relationships Mass communication: public opinion, the effect
of the media on the public
Interdisciplinary character of communication studies
Interpersonal communication: psychology, sociology, philosophy, ethics, biology etc.
Public communication: politics, economics, law, history, international relations, etc.
Intercultural: psychology, anthropology, politics, geography, etc.
Mass communication: sociology, politics, media studies, literature, art, etc.
How it works?
Situation
Situation
Sit
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Situ
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MES SAGE
CHAN NEL
FEED BACK
Interference
Communication Process
The key concepts: encoding / decoding Encoding: ‘translating’ ideas and
images into a code (e.g., language) that the audience can recognize
Decoding: understanding / deciphering received messages (encoded ideas and images)
Communication as: Action, Interaction and
Transaction
Message / Feedback Positive / Negative Person Focused / Message Focused Immediate / Delayed Low Monitoring / High Monitoring Supportive / Critical
Feedforward Messages To open channels of communication To preview the message To prevent negative understanding To altercast: ask to approach from a
specific perspective / role
Channels Verbal
Spoken/written words Nonverbal cues
Personal appearanceBodily action, GesturesAttitudes toward Time, Space
Voice, Articulation / Dialect
Message overload
Not enough time / resources to consider all messages
Noise Physical Physiological Psychological Semantic
Situation
Influences on the form and content of messages:
Physical setting Cultural / social milieu
Communication principles Inevitability: Everything communicates Intentional vs. Unintentional Irreversible Unrepeatable
Communication competence Achieving one’s goals: Effectiveness + Ethics
A Large Communication Repertoire Ability to Choose the Right Approach Self-Monitoring Cognitive Complexity / Knowledge:
“Well-developed person”
Definitions of Interpersonal Communication
Quantitative:
Interpersonal communication takes place between two persons who have an established relationship
Dyadic Primacy
Definitions of Interpersonal Com.
Qualitative (established relationship)
Uniqueness Irreplaceability Interdependence Disclosure