Chapter 1: A First Look at Interpersonal Communication

Vocabulary flashcards covering key concepts, models, features, needs, and intercultural competencies from Chapter 1 of Looking Out, Looking In (16th Edition).

Linear Communication Model

A model that depicts communication as a one-way process that a sender "does to" a receiver, involving encoding, a channel, a message, noise, and decoding.

Transactional Communication Model

A dynamic model depicting communication as a simultaneous, two-way process where communicators encode and decode messages and feedback within their respective fields of experience, channels, and noise.

Uniqueness (Relational Culture)

A feature of interpersonal communication in which every relationship establishes its own distinct patterns, customs, and language rather than following generic social rules.

Irreplaceability

A feature of interpersonal communication reflecting that interpersonal relationships are distinct and cannot be substituted or replaced by any other relationship.

Interdependence

A state in interpersonal communication where the actions, fate, and feelings of one person directly affect the other person.

Disclosure

The act of sharing personal, private information and thoughts with another person within an interpersonal relationship.

Intrinsic Rewards

Payoffs derived directly from participating in a relationship and the communication itself, rather than from external or instrumental outcomes.

Physical Needs

Biological requirements essential to human health and well-being that can be satisfied through interpersonal communication.

Identity Needs

Needs satisfied through communication that help individuals determine and express who they are based on interactions and feedback from others.

Social Needs

Needs met by communicating to establish connections, inclusion, affection, control, and relationships with other people.

Practical Needs

Instrumental communication needs used to accomplish everyday tasks and fulfill necessary daily functions.

Communication Competence

The ability to achieve goals effectively and appropriately, supported by a wide range of communication skills, adaptability, cognitive complexity, self-monitoring, empathy, and ethics.

Cognitive Complexity

The ability to construct and consider a variety of different frameworks or perspectives to analyze an issue or situation.

Self-Monitoring

The process of paying close attention to one's own behavior and using those observations to adjust actions and remain aware of one's impact on others.

Adaptability

The skill of choosing the right communication tool and modifying one's behavior appropriately to suit different interactions and contexts.

Co-Culture

A group of people within a larger culture who share attitudes, beliefs, values, and behaviors different from others, often based on age, occupation, sexual/romantic identity, physical disability, religion, race, or socioeconomic status.

Tolerance for Ambiguity

A key component of intercultural communication competence involving the ability to accept and effectively navigate confusion, uncertainty, and unfamiliar cultural norms.

Open-Mindedness

An attitude essential for intercultural communication that involves being receptive to differing cultural perspectives, customs, and ideas without premature judgment.

Passive Observation

An intercultural knowledge and skill strategy that involves quietly watching and taking note of cultural behaviors to learn appropriate norms without direct intervention.

Active Strategies

A method of gaining intercultural knowledge by actively seeking out information through questioning, reading, or consulting experts or cultural insiders.