GHUM1087 Final Exam Review - Interpersonal Communication
GHUM1087 Final Exam Review - Interpersonal Communication
Final Exam Structure
Multiple-choice and short-answer questions covering:
Key concepts from Interpersonal Communication (weeks 10-12)
Essay question integrating knowledge from the entire course
Week 10: Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
Reasons for Communication:
Physical Health:
Experiments show lack of communication can lead to death (e.g., Frederick II's experiment with babies).
Isolation reduces life span.
Identity Needs:
Communication plays a role in self-discovery and identity development.
Feedback from others influences self-perception (e.g., American Idol judges).
Social Goals:
Meets needs for pleasure, affection, companionship, and control.
Strong link between communication and happiness.
Instrumental/Practical Goals:
Used for achieving everyday objectives and career success (e.g., effective speaking and listening skills).
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:
Physical Needs: Thirst, hunger, intimacy.
Safety: Protection from threats.
Love/Belonging: Need for connection.
Self-Esteem: Feeling valued.
Self-Actualization: Reaching personal potential.
Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Definitions:
Quantitative: Interaction involving any two people.
Qualitative: Recognizing individuals as unique, beyond numbers.
Characteristics of Interpersonal Relationships
Uniqueness: Development of distinct roles.
Implacability: Unique relationships cannot be replaced.
Interdependence: Experience of one affects the other.
Disclosure: Sharing private information fosters connection.
Intrinsic Rewards: Enjoyment and personal fulfillment from relationships.
Intentional vs. Unintentional Communication:
Nonverbal cues may contradict spoken words.
Irreversible: First impressions are lasting.
Automatic: Communication occurs even without speaking.
Unrepeatable: Communication evolves over time; what worked previously may not apply now.
Dimensions of Communication:
Content Dimension: Explicit information being discussed.
Relational Dimension: Implication based on tone and feelings.
Situational Dimension: Context affecting communication dynamics.
Misconceptions about Interpersonal Communication
More is Better: Excessive communication can harm relationships.
Meaning Is Only Found in Words: Context matters for understanding messages.
Shared Understanding: Effective communication doesn’t always require total clarity.
Mediated Interpersonal Communication
Pros:
Encourages offline interactions and relationship maintenance.
Breaks down barriers and facilitates disclosure.
Cons:
Messages may lack emotional tone, leading to misinterpretation.
Permanent online records may cause issues.
Characteristics of Competent Communicators
Show care for relationships.
Recognize the situational and relational context of communication.
Develop empathy and self-monitoring skills.
Week 11: Improving Communication Climates
Climate Influences Outcomes:
The emotional tone can predict satisfaction in relationships.
Types of Messages:
Confirming: Show value, care, and respect.
Types: Recognition, acknowledgment, endorsement.
Disconfirming: Convey disregard or lack of respect.
Types: Impervious responses, interrupting, irrelevance, tangents, impersonal, ambiguous, contradictory messages.
Communication Dynamics:
Confirming messages create positive climates (positive spirals).
Disconfirming messages lead to negative outcomes (negative spirals).
Preventing Negative Dynamics:
Adopt supportive behaviors (e.g., descriptive language over evaluative).
Week 12: Politeness Theory
Recognizes cross-cultural communication norms.
Politeness Strategies (Brown & Levinson):
Bald On-Record: Least polite, no minimization of threat.
Positive Politeness: Strengthens social bonds, includes compliments.
Negative Politeness: Reduces intrusion, indirectly requesting.
Off-Record: Implicit hints and vagueness.
Key Definitions
Evaluative Communication: Judging the receiver, often leading to defensiveness.
Descriptive Communication: Expressing one's position without judgment.
Controlling Communication: Overly directive, impeding collaboration.
Problem Orientation: Focusing on collaborative solutions.
Key Theories in Social Relations
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development: Stages (preconventional, conventional, and postconventional) describing how moral reasoning develops.
Social Learning Theory (Bandura): Emphasizes learning via observation and modeling rather than purely through behavior rewards.
Defensive Dynamics: Strategies to soften criticism, foster respect, and enhance interpersonal communication.
Workplace Communication
Praise and encouragement boost employee morale.
Open communication policies foster a collegial environment.
Leadership Styles:
Authoritarian: Directive control.
Democratic: Shared decision-making.
Laissez-faire: Minimal intervention.
Transactional: Focused on achieving goals via feedback.
Transformational: Inspires collaboration toward a shared vision.
Final Exam Structure
Multiple-choice and short-answer questions covering:
Key concepts from Interpersonal Communication (weeks 10-12)Essay question integrating knowledge from the entire course
Week 10: Introduction to Interpersonal Communication
Reasons for Communication:
Physical Health:
Experiments show lack of communication can lead to death (e.g., Frederick II's experiment with babies).
Isolation reduces life span.
Identity Needs:
Communication plays a role in self-discovery and identity development.
Feedback from others influences self-perception (e.g., American Idol judges).
Social Goals:
Meets needs for pleasure, affection, companionship, and control.
Strong link between communication and happiness.
Instrumental/Practical Goals:
Used for achieving everyday objectives and career success (e.g., effective speaking and listening skills).
Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:
Physical Needs: Thirst, hunger, intimacy.
Safety: Protection from threats.
Love/Belonging: Need for connection.
Self-Esteem: Feeling valued.
Self-Actualization: Reaching personal potential.
Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Qualitative vs. Quantitative Definitions:
Quantitative: Interaction involving any two people.
Qualitative: Recognizing individuals as unique, beyond numbers.
Characteristics of Interpersonal Relationships
Uniqueness: Development of distinct roles.
Implacability: Unique relationships cannot be replaced.
Interdependence: Experience of one affects the other.
Disclosure: Sharing private information fosters connection.
Intrinsic Rewards: Enjoyment and personal fulfillment from relationships.
Intentional vs. Unintentional Communication:
Nonverbal cues may contradict spoken words.
Irreversible: First impressions are lasting.
Automatic: Communication occurs even without speaking.
Unrepeatable: Communication evolves over time; what worked previously may not apply now.
Dimensions of Communication:
Content Dimension: Explicit information being discussed.
Relational Dimension: Implication based on tone and feelings.
Situational Dimension: Context affecting communication dynamics.
Misconceptions about Interpersonal Communication
More is Better: Excessive communication can harm relationships.
Meaning Is Only Found in Words: Context matters for understanding messages.
Shared Understanding: Effective communication doesn’t always require total clarity.
Mediated Interpersonal Communication
Pros:
Encourages offline interactions and relationship maintenance.
Breaks down barriers and facilitates disclosure.
Cons:
Messages may lack emotional tone, leading to misinterpretation.
Permanent online records may cause issues.
Characteristics of Competent Communicators
Show care for relationships.
Recognize the situational and relational context of communication.
Develop empathy and self-monitoring skills.
Week 11: Improving Communication Climates
Climate Influences Outcomes:
The emotional tone can predict satisfaction in relationships.
Types of Messages:
Confirming: Show value, care, and respect.
Types: Recognition, acknowledgment, endorsement.
Disconfirming: Convey disregard or lack of respect.
Types: Impervious responses, interrupting, irrelevance, tangents, impersonal, ambiguous, contradictory messages.
Communication Dynamics:
Confirming messages create positive climates (positive spirals).
Disconfirming messages lead to negative outcomes (negative spirals).
Preventing Negative Dynamics:
Adopt supportive behaviors (e.g., descriptive language over evaluative).
Week 12: Politeness Theory
Recognizes cross-cultural communication norms.
Politeness Strategies (Brown & Levinson):
Bald On-Record: Least polite, no minimization of threat.
Positive Politeness: Strengthens social bonds, includes compliments.
Negative Politeness: Reduces intrusion, indirectly requesting.
Off-Record: Implicit hints and vagueness.
Key Definitions
Evaluative Communication: Judging the receiver, often leading to defensiveness.
Descriptive Communication: Expressing one's position without judgment.
Controlling Communication: Overly directive, impeding collaboration.
Problem Orientation: Focusing on collaborative solutions.
Key Theories in Social Relations
Kohlberg’s Theory of Moral Development: Stages (preconventional, conventional, and postconventional) describing how moral reasoning develops.
Social Learning Theory (Bandura): Emphasizes learning via observation and modeling rather than purely through behavior rewards.
Defensive Dynamics: Strategies to soften criticism, foster respect, and enhance interpersonal communication.
Workplace Communication
Praise and encouragement boost employee morale.
Open communication policies foster a collegial environment.
Leadership Styles:
Authoritarian: Directive control.
Democratic: Shared decision-making.
Laissez-faire: Minimal intervention.
Transactional: Focused on achieving goals via feedback.
Transformational: Inspires collaboration toward a shared vision.