Reflect and Relate - Chapter 1: Introducing Interpersonal Communication

Communication

The process through which people use messages to generate meanings within and across contexts, cultures, channels, and media

Message

The package of information that is transported through communication

Interaction

When people exchange a series of messages

Contexts

Situations in which communication occurs

Channel

The sensory dimension along which communicators transmit information

Media

Tools for exchanging messages

Linear communication model

Communication is an activity in which information flows in one direction, from a starting point to an end point

Sender

The individual who generates the information to be communicated, packages it into a message, and chooses the channel for sending it

Noise

Factors in the environment that impede messages from reaching their destination

Receiver

The person for whom a message is intended and to the message is delivered

Interactive communication model

Communication is a process involving senders and receivers, but transmission is influenced by two additional factors: feedback and fields of experience

Feedback

The verbal and nonverbal messages that recipients convey to indicate their reaction to communication

Fields of experience

The beliefs, attitudes, values, and experiences that each participant brings to a communication event

Transactional communication model

Communication is fundamentally multidirectional

Interpersonal communication

A dynamic form of communication between two (or more) people in which the message exchanged significantly influence their thoughts, emotions, behavios, and relationships

Dyadic

Communication involving only two people

Intrapersonal communication

Communication involving only one person, in the form of talking out loud to oneself or having a mental conversation inside one's head

I-Thou

A way to perceive a relationship based on embracing fundamental similarities that connect you to others, striving to see things from others' points of view, and communicating in ways that emphasize honesty and kindness

I-It

We regard other people as objects which we observe, that are there for our use and exploitation

Impersonal communication

Exchanges that have negligible perceived impact on our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships

Meta-comunication

Communication about communication

Self-presentation goals

Desires you have to present yourself in certain ways so that others perceive you as being a particular type of person

Instrumental goals

Practical aims you want to achieve or tasks you want to accomplish through a particular interpersonal encounter

Relationship goals

Building, maintaining, or terminating bonds with others

Interpersonal communication competence

Consistently communicating in ways that are appropriate, effective, and ethical

Communication skills

Repeatable goal-directed behaviors and behavioral patterns that you routinely practice in your interpersonal encounters and relationships

Appropriateness

The degree to which your communication matches situational, relational, and cultural expectations regarding how people should communicate

Self-monitoring

The process of observing our own communication and the norms of the situation in order to make appropriate communication choices

Effectiveness

The ability to use communication to accomplish the three types of interpersonal goals

Ethics

The set or moral principles that guide our behavior toward others

Online communication

Connecting with others by means of new media, including social networking sites, e-mail, texting, instant-messaging, Snapchat, Skype, chatrooms, and even massive multiplayer videogames

Gender

Social, psychological, ad cultural traits generally associated with one sex or the other

Sexual orientation

An enduring emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectionate attraction to others that exists along a continum