Chapter 7

Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal Communication

Interaction with others; usually informalEmotional intelligence – the ability to

understand and get along with others

Emotional Intelligence

1. Being self-aware: recognizing your own emotions and being able to take a step back from them from yourself and others so you are not overwhelmed

2. Managing emotions: displaying emotions that are appropriate for the situation and setting. This may be difficult to do

Emotional Intelligence

Motivating yourself: setting a goal and working until you meet it; not getting distracted

Recognizing emotions in others: using empathy which is the ability to recognize and share someone’s feelings

Handling relationships: having a sense of balance in your life with work, relationships, etc

Attraction

Physical – sexual or otherwise; what is beauty? Are you first / more attracted to beauty or personality?

Perceived Gain – often we are attracted

to people because of what

they can give to us or do

for us; social hierarchy

Attraction

Similarities and Differences – do opposites really attract? Are you compatible in your beliefs and / or attitudes?

Proximity – the contact you have with a person; do you work or go to school together? Sometimes you BECOME attracted to someone just because you spend so much time with them

Motivations for Interpersonal Communication

PleasureAffectionInclusion – Maslow’s social levelRelaxation – Control – over selves or othersHealthCybermotivation

Roles, Relationships, and Communications

All relations are governed by peoples’ roles

Role expectations sometimes become very fixed in a relationship and may be difficult to change

Gender roles – these have changed for some; may cause issues

Small Talk

This is how you begin a conversation or

used as a standard greeting

(how are you?

Did you

see the game

last night? etc.)

Bids and the Bidding Process

Bids are what holds a relationship togetherA bid – a look, touch, etc that says to

someone “I want to feel connected with you.”

A response to a bid – the reaction you give to someone’s bid (positive or negative)

Bids and the Bidding Process

Bids must be continued to have an on-going relationship; a one-time look or touch DOES NOT make a relationship