6: Interpersonal

1. 6: Interpersonal Conversations CA 104 (Aitken)

2. Conversations • Locally managed, sequential interchange of thoughts and feelings between two or more people. Microsoft Photo CA 104 (Aitken)

3. The Structure of Conversations • Beginning to Converse • The Body of a Conversation • Small talk • Idea exchange messages • Gossip • Two types • Casual social conversations • Problem-consideration conversations • Disengaging from a Conversation CA 104 (Aitken)

4. Interactions between people whose purpose is to enhance or maintain a relationship Interactions between people in which the goal of at least one of the participants is to elicit cooperation in meeting a goal Casual Social Conversations Problem- Consideration Conversations CA 104 (Aitken)

5. Pragmatic Problem-Consideration Conversations Skipping a stage may provide less satisfaction • Greeting and small talk • Topic introduction and statement of need for discussion • Information exchange and processing • Summarizing decisions and clarifying next steps • Formal closing CA 104 (Aitken)

6. Characteristics of Conversations • Formality – degree to which a conversation must follow rules and procedures • Turn-taking – the process by which people alternate between speaking and listening • Topic Change • Talk Time • Scriptedness • Conversational Audience CA 104 (Aitken)

7. Rules of Conversations “Unwritten prescriptions that indicates what behavior is required, preferred, or prohibited in certain contexts.” • Characteristics of Rules: • Specify appropriate human behavior • Prescriptive • Contextual • Allow for choice CA 104 (Aitken)

8. Examples of Communication Rules • If your mouth is full of food, then you must not talk. • If someone is talking, then you must not interrupt. • If you are being spoken to, you should direct your gaze to the speaker. • If you can’t say something nice, then you don’t say anything at all. CA 104 (Aitken)

9. Cooperative Principle Conversations will be satisfying when the contributions made by conversationalists are in line with the purpose of the conversation. CA 104 (Aitken)

10. Conversation Maxims CA 104 (Aitken)

11. Guidelines for Effective Conversationalists • Develop an Other-Centered Focus. • Engage in Appropriate Turn-Taking. • Maintain Conversational Coherence. • Practice Politeness and Face-Saving. • Balance Appropriateness and Efficiency. • Protect Privacy. • Engage in Ethical Dialogue. CA 104 (Aitken)

12. Engage in Ethical Dialogue • Authenticity - direct, honest, straightforward information and feelings • Empathy – understanding another’s point of view (without giving up yours) • Confirmation – affirming others as unique individuals (does not imply approving of their behaviors) CA 104 (Aitken)

13. Engage in Ethical Dialogue (continued) • Presentness – taking time, avoiding distraction, being responsive, risking attachment • Equality – treating conversational partners on the same level regardless of status differences • Supportiveness – encourage participation by praising efforts CA 104 (Aitken)

14. Low Context Cultures Include categorical words such as certainly, absolutely Relevant comments that are directly to the point Speaking one’s mind Silence is seldom good High Context Cultures Include qualifiers such as maybe, perhaps Indirect, ambiguous and less relevant comments Creating harmony Silence indicates truthfulness, embarrassment, disagreement Cultural Variations CA 104 (Aitken)