COMM 5402 Advanced Interpersonal Communication

1. COMM 5402Advanced Interpersonal Communication Spring 2004

2. Human Need for Explanation • Need for theory in human mind • 3 ways of experience the world • observer • theorist (observer & explanation) • researcher (theorist & test)

3. Defining Theory I

4. Defining Theory II

5. Theoretical Models • Units (Variables) • Laws of Interaction • Boundaries • System States • Propositions • Operationalizations • Hypotheses

6. Questions • What about Truth? Does research lead to truth? • What exactly is the difference between adequacy and validity of a theory? • Why is a preferred theory determined by consensus and not by validity?

7. Ideas to keep in mind 1) No a priori limits on what theory is about 2) A theoretical model has to be complete 3) Adequacy = internal logic 4) Validity is determined through research 5) Only testing makes a theory scientific

8. Preferred Theory Is a matter of consensus - consensus about boundaries & scope - consensus about the internal logic - consensus about empirical evidence

9. Standards of a Scientific Theory • Explanation • Prediction • Parsimony • Falsefiability • Utility

10. Description vs. Research • Descriptions answers questions for the answer’s sake • Research tests predictions to validate a theoretical model

11. Prediction focus on outcomes focus on variable values focus on stability & transition of system states Understanding focus on understanding of causal relationships among units Two Goals of Science

12. Two Paradoxes • Precision: prediction without understanding • Power: understanding without prediction

13. Assignment • In your group, think of an example for the precision paradox and an example for the power paradox. • Using your examples, determine whether they really are paradoxes, and try to resolve them (i.e., explain how they are possible)

14. Explaining the Paradoxes • Precision: deterministic relationships among units lead to stable associations between them that can be observed • Power: theoretical models highlight significant relationships between units w/o accounting for ALL causal factors or their interactions

15. Units defined: Units are mental conceptualizations that represent the parts of a theoretical model that interact with one another in specific ways.

16. Theoretical Models Unit - Unit + - Unit = Laws of Interaction = Boundary

17. Properties of Units • Units are things or properties of things • Units are plural, at least in principle • Units can be attributes or variables, i.e., are categorical or continuous • Units can be real or nominal, i.e., represent actual or hypothetical constructs • Units can be sophisticated or primitive, i.e., are defined or undefined

18. Exercise: Determined the properties of these units • Relational intimacy in a couple • A person’s religious belief • A group’s ethnicity • Family communication patterns • A person’s height

19. Homework Assignment Think of a phenomenon in interpersonal communication that is in need of a theoretical explanation (i.e., a topic for your term paper). Write a one paragraph research proposal answering the what & why questions. Due Wednesday!

20. Laws of Interaction: • link units of a theory • do NOT imply causality • may be categorical • may be sequential • may be determinant

21. Types of Interaction: • linear • curvilinear • recursive

22. Efficiencies of Laws High Efficiency • rate of change • covariance • directionality • presence-absence Low Efficiency

23. Conditions for Causality • Covariance • Temporal Precedence • Exclusion of Alternatives

24. Conditions for Causality • Covariance • Temporal Precedence • Exclusion of Alternatives

25. Propositions • A truth statement in regard to the theoretical model • NOT in regard to reality (i.e., no need for empirical truth) • Must follow accepted rules of logic • A statement about the relationship among units • NOT a statement about unit or set membership.

26. Propositions & Laws • equivalent to a law of interaction • more limited then a law of interaction • combining two or more laws of interaction

27. Empirical Indicators • Operationalization of a theoretical construct • Good Indicators are reliable and valid Reliability: consistency of measure Validity: measuring the right thing.

28. Reliability and Validity Validity low high low Reliability high

29. Types of Validity in Social Science • Face Validity • Does it make sense? • Content Validity • Is the entire concept represented? • Criterion Validity • Does it correlate with other known measures? • Construct Validity • Does it behave like the construct outside the model?

30. Hypothesis: A hypothesis is a prediction about the values of units of a theory (where empirical indicators are employed for the units in each proposition) that allow researchers to assess the validity of the theoretical model.

31. Three condition of a good test of a scientific theory • A) deducible • from the theoretical model • B) improbable • unless theoretical model is “true” • C) verifiable (testable)

32. Factors: • Quality of hypotheses • Validity of indicators • Completeness of theoretical model

33. Hypotheses Testing and Theory Development • Extensive Tests: test all strategic hypotheses • Intensive Tests: test only key hypotheses • Inductive Tests: build theory from empirical data

34. Defining Interpersonal Communication Interpersonal Communication is any interaction between two or more persons who: * exchange information, * create meaning, * exert influence, or * establish social reality

35. Intimacy • A widely used concept in study of relationships • A variable property of a relationship, including (among others): • Closeness & Interdependence • Self-Disclosure • Warmth & Affection

36. Importance of Intimacy • Associated with relational development • Associated with relationship quality & satisfaction • Associated with personal health & well being (psychological & physical)

37. Assignment • Define Intimacy. In 1-2 paragraphs, write a definition of intimacy that captures the concept of intimacy how you would define it for yourself.

38. Four Approaches to Intimacy • Life Span Development • Develop identity  develop intimacy • Motivational • Individual need/ability for intimacy • Equilibrium • Dialectic between independence and intimacy • Equity • Intimacy as fairness and equality

39. Intimacy in Romantic Dyads • Three Core Dimensions: • Intimacy • Love • Commitment • Conceptually distinct, but dependent on one another

40. Love Styles (Lee, 1973) • Primary Styles • Eros: passionate, intense, powerful • Ludus: playful, non-committal, flirtatious • Storge: comfortable, stable, gradual • Secondary Styles • Pragma: practical, rational, pragmatic • Mania: manic, obsessive, extreme • Agape: altruistic, devoted, content

41. Interdependence of Intimacy, Love, & Commitment Commitment LOVE Intimacy

42. Validity of the MSIS • Face Validity? • Do items seem to capture the concept? • Content Validity? • Do items cover entire breadths of concept?

43. Dimensions of the MSIS • Self-Disclosure (2,4,10) • Affection (3,12, 16) • Satisfaction (11, 14, 17) • Time spend together (1, 7) • Understanding (5, 13) • Feeling Close (6, 9) • Being Supportive (8, 15)

44. Satisfied Couples Married Males = 153 Females = 156 Unmarried Males = 135 Females = 139 Dissatisfied Couples Married Males = 125 Females = 134 MSIS Population Means

45. Social Penetration Theory • Relationship Growth = More Intimacy • Intimacy results from Self-Disclosure Increase Depths of Knowledge of Other Increase Breadth of Knowledge of Other • Motivation for Self-Disclosure is expected outcome (rewards-costs)

46. Self-Disclosure and Intimacy Intimate Relationship Non-Intimate Relationship

47. Four Stages of Exchange 1) orientation 2) exploratory affective exchange 3) affective exchange 4) stable exchange

48. Social Exchange Theory(Thibaut & Kelly) • Terms O = Perceived Outcome CL = Comparison Level (Expectation) CLalt = CL of Alternatives (Expectations for alternative relationship) • Predictions Satisfaction: compare O and CL Stability: compare O and CLalt

49. Relationship Outcomes predicted by Social Exchange Theory O < CLalt O > CLalt Satisfaction satisfied unstable satisfied stable O > CL dissatisfied stable dissatisfied unstable O < CL Stability

50. Five Aspects of Exchange 1) Reward & Cost: Difference or Ratio? 2) Absolute Rewards and Costs 3) Immediate Rewards and Costs 4) Forecast Rewards and Costs 5) Cumulative Rewards and Costs