Interpersonal Communication

Introduction to interpersonal communication:

verbal and non-verbal face-to-face interactions;

understanding messages sent and received; awareness and resolutions of

communication barriers.

There are two goals for this course:

To introduce interpersonal communication concepts and theories

To help you learn new communication skills

Upon successful completion of this class, you should be able to

1. Identify, describe, and explain major concepts involved in interpersonal communication,

2. Understand interdisciplinary character of the subject of Interpersonal Communication

3. Analyze interpersonal communication issues with the knowledge of a basic scientific methodology. 

Upon successful completion of this class, you should be able to

4. Identify and provide solutions to some commonly encountered communication barriers.

5. Gain self-awareness of your ability as an interpersonal communicator.

Experiential Learning

This course combines theory and practice. For a student to benefit from the class beyond learning the basic interpersonal theories, the course requires active participation in the class and a serious attempt to integrate:

conceptualizations based on the reading, observations, lectures and

everyday experiences in interpersonal communication.

Why we communicate? Physical Needs Social Needs: Predicting behavior/ social

participation Identity Needs: Reinforcing/building

identity Practical Needs / Goals: Accomplishing

something

The Interpersonal Imperative Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs: Physical needs Safety needs Belonging needs Self-esteem needs Self-actualization needs

Communication The transmission of information, idea, emotion,

skills, etc. by the use of symbols—words, pictures, figures, etc.

It involves source (sender), receiver, message, channel, context, etc.

It has a purpose (is intentional) Is interactive (message elicits response)

Communication Objectives

Primary:

Inform, persuade, entertain, instruct, educate,

inspire, undermine, refute, destroy.

Secondary:

Earn money, sell newspapers, attract

advertisers, represent clients, etc.

Communication discipline / research

Communication research examines the processes by which meanings are created and managed

How people structure and interpret messages and use symbols (language) in several contexts

Communication contexts (areas of communication research)

Interpersonal communication Intercultural / International Group communication Mass Communication Organizational communication Public communication

Communication Research: A Brief History

Foundations in Classical Greece and Rome—emphasis on Rhetoric. Aristotle, Plato, Isocrates, Cicero.

Early 20th Century Emergence of Departments of “Speech” Emphasis on Speech and Rhetoric

World War II and Post-War Era Concerns with attitude formation and change Emergence of social and behavioral science approaches

Late 20th Century Concerns with mass communication, public policy, and media Concerns with new communication technologies, cultural

approaches

Significant areas of communication research:

Communication and public policy Family communication Health communication Intercultural communication Interpersonal communication Media economics Nonverbal communication Organizational communication Persuasion and social influence Political and social rhetoric / Mass Communication Media effects

Examples of research interests Interpersonal communication: conflict in

relationships, nature of love relationships Political communication: political campaigns,

First Amendment issues, ethics Intercultural: the effect of culture on

communication, understanding, relationships Mass communication: public opinion, the effect

of the media on the public

Interdisciplinary character of communication studies

Interpersonal communication: psychology, sociology, philosophy, ethics, biology etc.

Public communication: politics, economics, law, history, international relations, etc.

Intercultural: psychology, anthropology, politics, geography, etc.

Mass communication: sociology, politics, media studies, literature, art, etc.

How it works?

Situation

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Situ

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MES SAGE

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Interference

Communication Process

The key concepts: encoding / decoding Encoding: ‘translating’ ideas and

images into a code (e.g., language) that the audience can recognize

Decoding: understanding / deciphering received messages (encoded ideas and images)

Communication as: Action, Interaction and

Transaction

Message / Feedback Positive / Negative Person Focused / Message Focused Immediate / Delayed Low Monitoring / High Monitoring Supportive / Critical

Feedforward Messages To open channels of communication To preview the message To prevent negative understanding To altercast: ask to approach from a

specific perspective / role

Channels Verbal

Spoken/written words Nonverbal cues

Personal appearanceBodily action, GesturesAttitudes toward Time, Space

Voice, Articulation / Dialect

Message overload

Not enough time / resources to consider all messages

Noise Physical Physiological Psychological Semantic

Situation

Influences on the form and content of messages:

Physical setting Cultural / social milieu

Communication principles Inevitability: Everything communicates Intentional vs. Unintentional Irreversible Unrepeatable

Communication competence Achieving one’s goals: Effectiveness + Ethics

A Large Communication Repertoire Ability to Choose the Right Approach Self-Monitoring Cognitive Complexity / Knowledge:

“Well-developed person”

Definitions of Interpersonal Communication

Quantitative:

Interpersonal communication takes place between two persons who have an established relationship

Dyadic Primacy

Definitions of Interpersonal Com.

Qualitative (established relationship)

Uniqueness Irreplaceability Interdependence Disclosure