Interpersonal Communication (Unit 1)

Demand/Withdraw

Ineffective communication pattern where one person gives a demand and the other responds by withdrawing

Complaint/Counter-Complaint

Ineffective communication pattern where one person complains and the other responds with a counter-complaint (e.g. “you never take out the trash!!” “ok well you never wash the dishes!!”)

5 Needs that Communication helps fulfill

Physical, Relational, Spiritual, Instrumental, and Identity

Aspects of Communication: Defining Communication

Message, Context, Process, Channel, Media

Message

Any piece of information being conveyed, can be verbal or nonverbal

Context

Information outside of words/behavior, can be physical (setting) or emotional (mood) etc.

Channel

Sensory dimensions of communication: hearing, sight, smell, touch

Media

Medium of communication: text, email, letter, in-person etc.

Action Model

Information flows in ONE direction; response optional. E.g.: Text message, twitter, PSA

Interaction Model

Sender and Reciever, sender gets feedback on their message, response necessary E.g.: Interview, lecture, presentation

Transaction Model

Communication is multidimensional, info flows both ways simultaneously, any encounter (usually face-to-face) in which you and others jointly create shared communication meaning E.g.: conversation with a friend

Interpersonal Communication (IPC)

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

Characteristics of IPC

Dynamic, relies on multiple channels, passes through perceptual filters

Motives for IPC

Self-presentation, Instrumental, Relationship

Functions of IPC

Conveys 2 dimensions of meaning: relational and content meaning. Intentionality, irreversible

IPC Competence Assessment Criteria

Adaptability, conversational, conversation management, empathy, effectiveness, appropriateness

Motives for IPC

Self-Presentation, Instrumental, Relationship

Self-Presentation

Make others see self in a certain way

Instrumental

Get something tangible; get a pencil, get someone to pick you up etc

Relationship

Establish a relationship, terminate, maintain

3 Requirements for Developing IPC Competence

Motivation, Skill, Knowledge

Culture

 System of learned/shared symbols, language, values, and norms that distinguish one group of people from another

Society

Group that shares a culture

Society

Ethnicity

Nationality

Enculturation

Components of Culture

Learned, Communicated, Lived

Co-culture

 Group of people who share values, customs, and norms related to mutual interests/ other characteristics aside from nationality

Cultural Influences on Communication

Individualism vs Collectivism, Power Distance, Masculine vs Feminine, Time Orientations, Context, Uncertainty Avoidance

Individualism vs Collectivism

Degree of focus on self vs. group goals/needs

Individualistic Cultures

• Value personal achievements and independence

• Focus on self

• US, Canada, Netherlands

Collectivistic Cultures

• Emphasize group identity and health of in-groups, harmony

• Group needs > individual needs 

• Highest goal is cooperation

• Nigeria, Japan, Guatemala 

Context

Degree to which culture focuses on contextual clues when communicating 

High-Context Cultures

• Indirect Communication, presume similarity (of others?)

• Korea, China

Low-Context Cultures

• Explicit Communication, presume difference 

• US, Northern Europe

Power Distance

Degree to which people view unequal distribution of power as acceptable 

High Power Distance

Emphasizes difference according to status 

Low Power Distance

• Minimize differences

• Informality (possible)

Masculine vs Feminine

Degree to which a culture emphasizes qualities that are traditionally seen as masculine/feminine

Masculine Cultural Values

• Achievement

• Competition

Feminine Cultural Values

• Compassion

• Cooperation

Time Orientation

Distinctions according to how time is viewed in each culture 

Monochronic Time

Time as a valued resource, punctuality important

Polychronistic Time

• Time as flexible resource

• Latin America, Middle East, Spain

Uncertainty Avoidance

Degree of tolerance of unpredictability 

High Uncertainty Avoidance

Value Control

Low Uncertainty Avoidance

Open to change/lack of control

Emotion Display Rules

Norms that guide management of feelings for creating a socially desirable/appropriate emotional display (Socially Constructed)

5 Emotional Display Rules

Simulation, Masking, Intensification, De-Intensification, Inhibition

Simulation

Faking an emotion

Intensification

Amplifying an emotion

De-Intensification

De-amplifying an emotion

Masking

Expressing a different emotion

Inhibition

Inhibiting feelings, “poker face”

Intercultural Competence

Ability to appropriately, effectively, and ethically communicate with people from diverse backgrounds 

3 Requirements for Intercultural Competence

World-Mindedness, Attributional Complexity, Communication Accommodation

World-Mindedness

Awareness that others think differently than you

Attributional Complexity

Communication Accomodation

Make changes to behavior to accommodate other

Self -Awareness

Ability to step outside self, reflect on thoughts, feelings and behaviors. 

• Social Comparison

• Self-reflection

Self-Concept

Relatively fixed set of perceptions we hold about ourselves, based on beliefs/attitudes/values 

• fixed yet flexible

• Emerges from interactions with others

Self-Esteem

Overall evaluation of ourselves, both positive/negative 

• Social roles we hold, descriptions of those roles

Self-Discrepancy Theory

Ideal Self- Person we want to be 

Ought Self - Person others want us to be/expect us to be

Ideal = Ought → High Self-Esteem 

Ideal ≠ Ought → Low Self-Esteem 

Self Disclosure

Personal Information made public

Intentional: choose how much to disclose and when

Social Penetration/Shrek Theory

Social Penetration/Shrek Theory: The self is composed of information 

LAYERS:

• Peripheral: Demographic, Age, Major, place of origin 

• Immediate: Attitude/Opinions, “hot takes” 

• Central: Self-esteem, fears, desires, goals, humor (dark)

SUCCESSFUL Self-disclosure leads to?

INTIMACY

• Dependent on information disclosed 

• Dependent on pace and responsiveness to disclosure 

• Breadth (amount)

• Depth 

Perception

the process of using our senses to respond to info/stimuli

selecting, organizing, interpreting 

Selection

 focused attention on specific environmental stimuli