Unit One Unit One Introduction to Introduction to Interpersonal Interpersonal

CommunicationCommunication

A first look at Interpersonal A first look at Interpersonal RelationshipsRelationships

What is Interpersonal What is Interpersonal Communication?Communication?

• Interpersonal Communication is defined by Interpersonal Communication is defined by Redmond and Beebe as: a distinctive form Redmond and Beebe as: a distinctive form of human communication that occurs when of human communication that occurs when you interact with another person and you interact with another person and mutually influence each other usually for the mutually influence each other usually for the purpose of maintaining relationships. purpose of maintaining relationships.

• Interpersonal communication is described as Interpersonal communication is described as like breathing: It is a requirement for life like breathing: It is a requirement for life and is inescapable. Because unless you live and is inescapable. Because unless you live in isolation you communicate interpersonally in isolation you communicate interpersonally EVERYEVERY day. day.

Why do we communicate?Why do we communicate?Why is communication Why is communication

important?important?

•Physical NeedsPhysical Needs• Identity NeedsIdentity Needs•Social NeedsSocial Needs•Practical GoalsPractical Goals

The Process of The Process of CommunicationCommunication

• A Linear View of CommunicationA Linear View of Communication• ““the sender encodes a message and the sender encodes a message and

sends it through a channel where the sends it through a channel where the receiver decodes the message and receiver decodes the message and receives it.”receives it.”

The Process of The Process of CommunicationCommunication

• A Transactional View of A Transactional View of CommunicationCommunication– ““Communication occurs Communication occurs withwith others.” others.”– EnvironmentsEnvironments– Noise (external, physiological and Noise (external, physiological and

psychological)psychological)

Communication Communication PrinciplesPrinciples

• Communication can be intentional or Communication can be intentional or unintentional.unintentional.

• It is impossible not to communicateIt is impossible not to communicate– We are like “transmitters” constantly We are like “transmitters” constantly

transmitting messages at all times.transmitting messages at all times.

• Communication is irreversibleCommunication is irreversible• Communication is unrepeatableCommunication is unrepeatable

Communication Communication MisconceptionsMisconceptions

• Meanings are not only in wordsMeanings are not only in words• Successful communication does not Successful communication does not

always involve shared understandingalways involve shared understanding• More communication is not always More communication is not always

betterbetter• Communication will not solve all Communication will not solve all

problemsproblems

Types of CommunicationTypes of Communication

• Intrapersonal CommunicationIntrapersonal Communication• Interpersonal CommunicationInterpersonal Communication• Mass Communication (Mediated)Mass Communication (Mediated)• Small Group CommunicationSmall Group Communication• MetacommunicationMetacommunication• Organizational CommunicationOrganizational Communication• Intercultural CommunicationIntercultural Communication

What makes and effective What makes and effective communicator?communicator?

• Communication Competence is:Communication Competence is: the ability the ability to choose a communication behavior that to choose a communication behavior that is both appropriate and effective for a is both appropriate and effective for a given situation. given situation.

(Spitzberg & Cupach, 1984)(Spitzberg & Cupach, 1984) • There is no “ideal” way to communicate.There is no “ideal” way to communicate.• Competence is situationalCompetence is situational• Competence is relationalCompetence is relational• Competence can be learnedCompetence can be learned

Characteristics of a Characteristics of a competent communicatorcompetent communicator

• A wide range of behaviorsA wide range of behaviors• The ability to choose the most The ability to choose the most

appropriate behavior based on appropriate behavior based on context, goals and knowledge of the context, goals and knowledge of the other personother person

• Skill at performing behaviorsSkill at performing behaviors• Cognitive complexityCognitive complexity

Characteristics of a Characteristics of a competent communicatorcompetent communicator

• EmpathyEmpathy• Self MonitoringSelf Monitoring• Commitment to the other person and Commitment to the other person and

to the messageto the message

Technology and Technology and Interpersonal Interpersonal

CommunicationCommunication• CMC is computer mediated communicationCMC is computer mediated communication• CMC can increase the quantity and quality CMC can increase the quantity and quality

of interpersonal communicationof interpersonal communication• Personal and Impersonal Communication Personal and Impersonal Communication

is a matter of balance with technologyis a matter of balance with technology