Human Behavior

Relationships/Communication Notes

Relationships:Connections with other peopleWe need relationships. Positive/healthy relationships serve a

significant function in our lives:Meet emotional needsEnrich lifeHelp us get things done

Types of relationshipsFriendsCo-workersParent-ChildTeacher-StudentSiblingsSignificant othersEtc.

Acquaintance:People you know but aren’t

particularly close to. Example: A friend in class that you don’t

usually hang out with outside of school

CodependentA dependency on people - on their

moods, behavior, sickness, well-being, and their love.

What makes a healthy relationship?

Mutuality: both people contributeTrust: belief that others will not reject, betray or hurt

youSelf-disclosure: Willingness to tell someone

personal things about yourselfRapport: a feeling of ease and harmony with

another personEmpathy: When you have the ability to put yourself

in another person’s positionShared Interests: shared interests form a strong

base for building a relationshipUnhealthy=Exploitation: Using another person

unfairly for personal benefit

The Relationship WheelCompares the

building of relationships to a wheel

Four spokes signify the four steps of relationship buildingRapport, Self-

Revelation, Mutual Dependency, Need Fulfillment

RapportFeeling of ease

with you are with someone

Leads to more interaction between two people

Then you begin to relax your guard

Self-Revelation

As people feel more at ease, they are more likely to talk about feelings, experiences, and attitudes

Mutual DependencyLearn each other’s

habits and develop habits to respond to your partner

Depend and rely on each other

Needs FulfillmentGetting respect,

confidence and love/affection from the relationship

If you both fulfill each others needs, the relationship grows

Going backwards

The wheel can also move in the opposite direction, causing the destruction of the relationship

Sometimes the rapport you feel with someone leads to self-revelation that causes arguments or bad feelings. This is likely to cause less self-revelation. In turn, you rapport will decrease and fewer of your needs will be met.

Communication

Styles of CommunicationAggressive person: (write 3)Passionately expresses opinions and

feelingsValues self above othersHurts others to avoid hurting selfSpeaks loudly and abusivelyDoesn’t listen to others Stands up for rights at the expense of

others

Styles of CommunicationAssertive person:Expresses opinions and feelings directly,

honestly and appropriatelySpeak for selfValues self equal to othersDoesn’t hurt self or othersListens to othersStands up for rights without violating

someone else

Styles of CommunicationPassive person:Does not express opinions and feelings

directly or honestlySays what they think others want to hearValues others before selfBelittles selfGives up rights in favor of someone else’s

Non-verbal CommunicationCommunication without wordsExamples:

ExpressionsGesturesPostureBody language

Listening skills

Good listeners build strong relationships

Passive listening: Listener puts aside personal judgments, just listens with little feedback.

Active listening:. Listener makes comments, give opinion and feedback.