Chapter 1: Introducing Interpersonal Communication

Summary

Chapter Objectives

To learn about communication, the different models of communication, the nature of interpersonal communication and the role it plays in relationships, how to appraise and improve interpersonal competence, and why understanding the major issues related to the study of interpersonal communication is important.

What Is Communication?

Communication is the process through which people use messages to generate meanings within and across contexts, cultures, channels, and media.
Communication involves the following five features: process, message/interaction, context, channel, and media.
The communication process can be described with three models:
- The linear communication model defines communication as flowing in one direction—from a starting point to an end point—and consisting of a sender, a receiver, and noise.
- The interactive communication model expands on the linear model with the addition of feedback and fields of experience.
- The transactional communication model views communication as multidirectional—each participant has equal influence on the communication behavior of the others.

What Is Interpersonal Communication?

Interpersonal communication is a dynamic form of communication between two (or more) people in which the messages exchanged significantly influence their thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships.
Interpersonal communication is (1) dynamic; (2) transactional; (3) primarily dyadic, or involving pairs of people; and (4) creates impact.
- Intrapersonal communication involves only one person.
When we regard others as people, we perceive our relationships as I-Thou; when we regard others as objects, we perceive our relationships as. I-It.
- Impersonal communication comprises exchanges that have a negligible perceived impact on our thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships.
Principles of interpersonal communication include the following:
- Interpersonal communication conveys both content and relationship information.
  - Content information is the actual meaning of your words.
  - Relationship information consists of signals indicating how each participant views the relationship.
- Relationship information strongly influences how people interpret content information.
- Interpersonal communication can be intentional or unintentional.
- Interpersonal communication is irreversible.
- Interpersonal communication is dynamic, or constantly changing.
Interpersonal communication is related to human needs, in accordance with Maslow’s hierarchy: physical needs, safety needs, social needs, self-esteem needs, and self-actualization needs.
Interpersonal communication is used to accomplish (1) self-presentation goals, (2) instrumental goals, and (3) relationship goals.

What Is Interpersonal Communication Competence?

Interpersonal communication competence means consistently communicating in ways that are appropriate, effective, and ethical.
Interpersonal communication competence involves the use of communication skills, as well as motivation to improve communication.
- Appropriateness refers to the degree to which communication matches situational, relational, and cultural expectations regarding how people should communicate; success at appropriateness requires self-monitoring.
  - High self-monitors prefer situations with clear expectations.
  - Low self-monitors dislike having to abide by norms.
- Effectiveness is the ability to use communication to accomplish interpersonal goals (self-presentational, instrumental, relational).
- Ethics is a set of moral principles that guide our behavior toward others. . Ethical communicators seek to do no harm and to treat others with respect, honesty, kindness, and positivity."
Much of our interpersonal communication is online communication.
Suggestions for improving online communication competence include:
- Match the gravity of your message to your communication medium.
- Don’t assume that online communication is always more efficient.
- Presume that your posts are public.
- Remember that your posts are permanent.
- Practice the art of creating drafts.

Issues in Interpersonal Communication

Culture is an established, coherent set of learned beliefs, attitudes, values, and practices shared by a large group of people.
- Culture includes nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities, and age.
Gender consists of social, psychological, and cultural traits associated with one sex or another.
Sexual orientation is the enduring emotional, romantic, sexual, or affectionate attraction to others that exists along a continuum ranging from exclusive homosexuality to exclusive heterosexuality and includes various forms of bisexuality.
The study of interpersonal communication also involves the dark side of relationships, or the possible destructive force that communication can have.
The greatest challenges to interpersonal communication skills lie not in communicating competently when it is easy to do so but in practicing competent interpersonal communication when doing so is difficult.