Engaging Theories in Interpersonal Communication — Vocabulary Flashcards

Vocabulary-focused flashcards covering key concepts, theories, paradigms, and terms from the lecture notes on interpersonal communication.

Interpersonal Communication

The symbolic process of exchanging messages between people whose lives mutually influence one another, involving creation and sharing of meanings and co-creating relationships and identities.

Dyad

A group of two people.

Rhetoric

The art of effective or persuasive speaking or writing, especially using figures of speech and other devices.

Message

Any information conveyed from a sender to a receiver.

Individually Centered Theories

Theories that focus on how individuals plan, produce, and process interpersonal messages (cognitive processes).

Discourse or Interaction-Centered Theories

Theories that view interpersonal communication as a message or joint action enacted between persons; focus on content, forms, and functions of messages and interactions.

Identity-Centered Theories

Theories about how interpersonal communication co-creates, negotiates, resists, and alters identity, including power and social justice issues.

Relationship-Centered Theories

Theories about how communication develops, maintains, and dissolves social and personal relationships.

Cognitive

Relating to mental processes involved in gaining knowledge and understanding.

Discourse

Written or spoken communication or debate.

Social Justice

Justice in terms of the distribution of wealth, opportunities, and privileges within a society.

Marginalized Discourses

Voices and perspectives historically excluded from mainstream conversations and power structures.

Relational Development

The process by which relationships form and evolve over time.

Relational Maintenance

Actions and behaviors aimed at keeping a relationship functioning and in a desired state.

Relational Dissolution

The process by which a relationship breaks down or ends.

Meta-Theoretical Discourses (Paradigms)

Schools of thought guiding research, including post-positivist, interpretive, and critical perspectives.

Post-Positivist Perspective

Aims to advance predictions and generalizable explanations; uses causal and functional explanations; emphasizes testable, empirical work and value-neutrality.

Interpretive Perspective

Views humans as acting from subjective positions; seeks detailed understanding of social realities from the native point of view; uses sensitizing devices and is context-specific.

Critical Perspective

Focuses on power structures, emancipation, social change, and examination of ideologies and institutions.

Theory

A set of statements that renders intelligible a phenomenon; not neutral; shaped by culture and values.

A Priori

Reasoning or knowledge based on theoretical deduction rather than empirical observation.

Heuristic

A device or approach that guides discovery or reveals new ideas; stimulates research.

Value-Neutral

Free from the influence of personal beliefs or values.

Empirical Observation

Knowledge gained through experience and the senses; evidence-based data.

Social Constructionism

The idea that concepts and meanings are developed through interaction with others.

Emancipation

Liberation from legal, social, or political restrictions.

Hegemony

Leadership or dominance of one group over others.

Inductive Approach

Research starting with specific observations and building toward a general theory.

Hypothetico-Deductive Theories

Theories that begin with a general hypothesis and test specific predictions.

Paradigmatic Orientation

The underlying philosophical assumptions guiding research.

Testability

The degree to which a theory's claims can be tested and potentially falsified.

Parsimony

Preference for the simplest explanation that fits the data.

Utility

The practical usefulness of a theory.

Social Reform

Efforts to improve society by addressing power and inequality through organized action.

Social Support as Theoretical Framework

Using social support as a lens to study interpersonal processes and relationships.

Relational Turbulence Model/Theory

A theory describing disruptions in relational quality during transitions (e.g., dating to commitment).

Communication Privacy Management Theory

Theory about how people manage private information and boundaries in communication.

Politeness Theory

Theory about managing face and politeness in social interactions.

Communication Accommodation Theory

Theory that people adjust their communication style to others to gain social approval or improve interaction.

Affection Exchange Theory

Theory explaining why and how affection is expressed and maintained in relationships.

Attachment Theory

Theory describing how early bonding patterns influence later relationship behaviors and expectations.

Relational Maintenance Theory

Theory about strategies people use to maintain and support relational functioning.

Interdependence Theory

Theory focusing on how mutual dependence influences relationship outcomes.

Grounded Theory

A systematic methodology where theory is generated from data through coding and analysis.

Hyperpersonal Model

Idea that computer-mediated communication can become more intimate and favorable due to selective self-presentation and feedback.

Uncertainty Reduction Theory

Theory explaining how people seek information to reduce uncertainty in initial interactions.

Expectancy Violations Theory

Theory about how violations of expected communication behavior impact perceptions and relations.

Theory of Motivated Information Management (TMIM)

Model describing how motivation influences information seeking and management.

Relational Dialectics Theory

Theory about ongoing tensions and opposing needs within relationships.

Social Cognitive Theory

Theory of learning through observation and social information processing.

Social Exchange Theory

Theory that relationship behaviors are shaped by costs, rewards, and resource exchange.

Communication Theory of Identity

Theory that identity is produced and modified through communicative acts.

Social Penetration Theory

Model describing how self-disclosure layers move from outer to inner aspects of the self in relationships.

Family Communication Patterns

Patterns of family communication that influence relational dynamics.

Dyadic Power Theory

Theory addressing power dynamics in two-person relationships.