Chapter 6 Objectives

2. Chapter 6 Objectives • Define interpersonal relationships & interpersonal communication • Explain the importance of interpersonal relationships • Describe the dark side of interpersonal relationships • Explain the importance of friendship

3. Chapter 6 Objectives • Explain the three stages in interpersonal relationships • Understand how to maintain positive relationships • List motivations for terminating relationships • Name four essential interpersonal communication behaviors

4. What is Interpersonal Communication? The process of using messages to generate meaning between at least two people in a situation that allows mutual opportunities for both speaking and listening

5. What is Interpersonal Communication? Communication that occurs within interpersonal relationships

6. Interpersonal Make predictions based on information about the other specific person Use knowledge of the other as a unique person as the basis for the interaction Impersonal Make guesses about the conversation based on sociological or cultural information Use general social interaction rules as the basis for the interaction Interpersonal v. Impersonal Relationships

7. What are Interpersonal Relationships? Associations between two people who are interdependent, who use some consistent patterns of interaction, and who have interacted for an extended period of time

8. The Importance of Interpersonal Relationships • The need for inclusion • The need for affection • The need for control

9. The Importance of Interpersonal Relationships • Some relationships are complementary relationships • Some relationships are symmetrical relationships

10. The Dark Side of Interpersonal Relationships • Obsession • Misunderstanding • Gossip • Conflict • Codependency • Abuse

11. What is Self-Disclosure? The process of making intentional revelations about oneself that others would be unlikely to know and that generally constitute private, sensitive, or confidential information

12. Known to self Not known to self I Open area II Blind area Known to others IV Unknown area III Hidden area Not known to others Why is Self-Disclosure Important? • Allows us to develop a greater understanding of ourselves

13. Why is Self-Disclosure Important? • Allows us to develop a greater understanding of ourselves • Allows us to develop a more positive attitude about ourselves and others • Allows us to establish more meaningful relationships with others

14. Factors Affecting Appropriate Self-Disclosure • Disclosure generally increases as relational intimacy increases • Disclosure tends to be reciprocal • Negative disclosure is directly related to relational intimacy • Disclosure may sometimes be avoided

15. Factors Affecting Appropriate Self-Disclosure • Self-disclosure varies across cultures • Self-disclosure varies by co-cultures • Relational satisfaction and disclosure are curvilinearly related

16. Friendships are Essential Interpersonal Relationships • Contribute to our well-being • Can be based on shared activities or level of information shared • Change over time • Are perceived to improve as we develop

17. Friendships are Essential Interpersonal Relationships • Friendships are affected by psychological predispositions • Six stage model for development (Rawlins, 1992) • Maintenance depends on intent of the relational partners • Cultural differences in how friendships are defined

18. Developing Cross-Cultural Relationships • Have meaningful personal interaction • Maintain equal status • Find ways to build interdependence • Respect individual differences

19. The Stages in Interpersonal Relationships • Relational Development – the process by which relationships grow • Initiating • Experimenting • Intensifying • Integrating • Bonding

20. The Stages in Interpersonal Relationships • Relational Maintenance – the process of keeping a relationship together • Three dialectics • Integration/Separation • Stability/Change • Expression/Privacy

21. The Stages in Interpersonal Relationships • Relational Deterioration – the process by which relationships deteriorate • Differentiating • Circumscribing • Stagnating • Avoiding • Terminating

22. Motivations for Initiating Relationships • Proximity • Attractiveness • Responsiveness • Similarity • Complementarity

23. Maintaining Relationships • Co-cultural differences affect how and why we maintain relationships • The way we communicate affects how we maintain relationships

24. Terminating Relationships • Hurtful messages • Deceptive communication • Aggressiveness • Argumentativeness • Defensiveness

25. Essential Interpersonal Communication Behaviors • Affectionate and supportive communication • Influencing others • Compliance-gaining • Compliance-resisting • Developing a unique relationship • Personal idioms • Rituals

26. Improving Interpersonal Communication • Bargaining • Commit to learn a variety of communication skills • Demonstrate behavioral flexibility