Interpersonal Relationships and Communication Theories

Importance of Communication Competence

• Definition: The ability of individuals to jointly create and maintain mutually satisfying relationships by constructing appropriate and effective messages (O’Hair, Friedrich, Wiemann & Wiemann, 1994).

Fundamental Needs in Interpersonal Communication

• Rewards in Relationships:

  • Inclusion

  • Control

  • Affection

• Comfort of Certainty:

  • Need for predictability in interactions.

• Self-Disclosure:

  • Sharing personal information to build intimacy.

Social Exchange Theory

• Bright Individuals:

  • Aim to maximize rewards and minimize costs in relationships.

• Key Idea:

  • Cost-Benefit Analysis: Evaluating the satisfaction from a relationship against the inputs ("Am I getting enough out of this relationship given what I’m putting into it?").

• Outcomes of Relationships:

  • Favorable if more rewarding than costly or more rewarding than alternatives.

Impression Management Theory

• Foundation:

  • Concepts derived from Erving Goffman's work, The Presentation of Self in Everyday Life (1956).

• Conceptual Metaphor:

  • Theatrical analogy to explain social interactions (%All the world's a stage% – Shakespeare).

• Self:

  • Not an entity but a construction or performance.

• Front Stage vs. Back Stage:

  • Front Stage: Public self presented to unfamiliar audiences ("Face" or "Mask").

  • Back Stage: Private self shown to familiar audiences; often includes self-expressive control in social media.

Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT)

• Purpose: Understand and predict behavior in initial interactions by reducing uncertainty.

• Processes:

  • Proactive: Handle uncertainty before interactions (e.g., observation, inquiries).

  • Interactive: Engage in conversation to gather information.

  • Retroactive: Analyze past interactions to derive sense.

• Goals in Stranger Interactions:

  • Reduce uncertainty and develop predictability.

Phases of Interaction According to URT:

1. Entry Phase:

   • Initial stage guided by social norms.

2. Personal Phase:

   • Increased self-disclosure and spontaneous communication.

3. Exit Phase:

   • Decisions on whether to pursue the interaction further.

Social Penetration Theory (SPT)

• Main focus: Understanding relational closeness and intimacy through self-disclosure.

• Concept: Social penetration involves moving from superficial to intimate communication.

• Stages of Relationship Development:

  1. Orientation Stage:

  • Superficial communication and first impressions.

  • Guided by social norms; caution in self-disclosure.

  1. Exploratory Affective Stage:

  • Personal aspects become public; spontaneous communication starts.

  • Increased comfort leads to more nonverbal communication.

  1. Affective Exchange Stage:

  • Casual interactions without caution; personal idioms emerge.

  • Greater willingness to engage in criticism and intimacy.

  1. Stable Exchange Stage:

  • Open expression of thoughts and feelings; high familiarity and efficiency in communication.

  • Distinctive qualities like humor and sarcasm appear; few relationships reach this stage.

Summary of Key Theories

• URT: Reducing uncertainty through communication strategies in initial interactions.

• SPT: Moving toward intimacy through strategic and non-strategic self-disclosure along socially defined stages, illustrated by cultural references (e.g., Shrek and relationships depicted therein).