Interpersonal communication impacts the thoughts, emotions, behavior, and relationships of the people taking part in it. When you communicate interpersonally with others, it matters. As a result of the interaction, you may change how you feel and think about yourself and others; alter others’ opinions of you; and create, maintain, or dissolve relationships. Interpersonal communication contrasts sharply with impersonal communication—exchanges that have a negligible perceived impact on your thoughts, emotions, behaviors, and relationships. For example, you lean over to a classmate and ask her what time it is, and she shows you the display on her phone. Although you are glad to have found out the time, this exchange has no further influence on you, your classmate, or your relationship with this person.
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