COMM100 Chap 7,8

Interpersonal communication

Interactions between people who are part of a close relationship in which they treat each other as unique individuals

Relational message

Suggests how the parties feel toward one another.

Content message

Focuses explicitly on the subject discussed.

Four Dimensions of Relationship

1. Affinity [Likeability]

2. Immediacy: Level of engagement.

3. Respect

4. Control

Metacommunication

Communication about communication.

Social Penetration Model can occur between two dimensions:

1. Breadth: Represents the range of subjects being discussed

2. Depth: How significant and personal the information is

Relational spiral

A communication pattern in which the messages that relational patterns exchange become increasingly negative or positive.

Conflict (negative) spiral

Which a statement perceived as an attack leads to a counter attack, and then another, until the communication escalated into a full-fledged argument.

Positive spiral

One person’s confirming message leads to a similar response from another person.

Types of Friendships

• Short-term vs Long-term

• Low-disclosure vs High-disclosure (intimacy)

• Doing-Oriented vs Being-Oriented (meet up)

• Low-Obligation vs High-Obligation

• Frequent Contact vs Occasional Contact

Authoritarian [Parenting Style]

Strict and expect unquestioning obedience. “Do it cuz I said so” type of style.

Authoritative [Parenting style]

Firm, clear, and strict, but encourage children to communicate openly with them.

Permissive [Parenting style]

Do not require children to follow many rules. Parents and children may communicate about other topics, but they probably don’t spend a lot of time setting firm guidelines such as curfews.

Sibling Styles

• Competitive

• Supportive

• Hostile

• Apathetic (don’t care that much)