What’s to know about the…

Interaction Adaptation Theory

It is…

1

…how people alter their behavior in response to the

behavior of another.

It is used in…

2

…studying any human interaction,

especially interpersonal

communication.

It is important because…

3

…it explains how a person adapts, through verbal and nonverbal reactions, to specific

behaviors in conversation.

…it can help a speaker anticipate and evoke certain reactions from

another person or people.

However…

4

…it is a somewhat new theory without extensive research.

…testing this theory can put people in

unnatural situations, making their reactions

unnatural as well.

One more thing…

5

…People adapt using one of two patterns:

Reciprocation (reflecting behavior matching that of the

other person)

ORCompensation (countering the other person’s behavior with

opposing attitudes; offering a sort of

balance)