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introduction to interpersonal communication (factors that influence our…
introduction to interpersonal communication
definition of interpersonal communication
inter --> between, among, mutually or together
personal --> refers to a specific individual or particular role that an individual may occupy
interpersonal communication is when people treat one another as unique individuals, regardless of context in which interaction takes place or the number of people involved
dimensions of interpersonal relationships
context
where the communication takes place, how much do you know about the person
time
the length of time we spend together and the length of time we choose to spend together
intimacy
refers to the closeness of a relationship
types of intimacy
physical intimacy
involves physical contact such as hugging, kissing etc.
intellectual intimacy
involves idea exchange
emotional intimacy
emotional intimacy is when we share our feelings with one another
spiritual intimacy
is when we share a connection beyond ourselves e.g. through religion
affinity
the degree to which we like each other or appreciate each other
control
the degree to which parties have power to influence each other
complementary
one person has power and the other is more subordinate
e.g. doctor - patient, teacher - student
symmetrical
two people share power equally and match each other
these dimensions are helpful in determining how interpersonal our relationship is.
our relationship falls into a continuum
impersonal
don't know their names and social role are interchangeable
e.g. supermarket clerk can be a supermarket clerk on one day and your classmate on another day
interpersonal
we start seeing each other as unique individuals
we can address them by names and they can't be replaced by someone else
factors that influence our choice of relationship
appearance
similarity
complementarity
reciprocal attraction
competence
disclosure
proximity
rewards
aspects of interpersonal communication
functional aspect
answers what interpersonal communication can do for us
instrumental goals
gaining compliance, getting information that we need, asking for support
instrumental goals get things done in our relationships
e.g. asking your friend to help you move this weekend, asking your friend how to do an assignment, consoling your friend who got a poor grade
relationship - maintenance goals
putting a partner's needs above your own
examples
organizing an office party for a coworker, making dinner together with mom, posting a photo on facebook saying that you miss a long distance friend
honor accomplishments, spend time together, checking in
self - presentation goals
adapting our presentation in order to be perceived in different ways
e.g. a parent may seem as a stern head of household, supportive shoulder to cry on
e.g. when your employer has problems with using the slideshow and you stepped in to help, you are showing that you are competent
examples of when a particular goal becomes more important than another
instrumental than relationship
when you shout to your friend to work in the project rather than play video games, you are prioritizing your task and getting it done instead of your relationship with your friend.
relationship than instrumental
when your partner receives a job offer in another country and you decide to come with him/her and leave your work or social circle --> you are prioritizing your relationship with him/her instead of getting things done.
self-presentation than relationship
when we don't call our boss when we need gas because we want him to see us as likeable
cultural aspect
communicating in relationships help establish relationship cultures
definition of relationship cultures
climates established through interpersonal communication that are unique to the relational partners but based on larger cultural and social norms
we build our relationships based on our relationship schemata
this relationship schemata is based on knowledge we have from our previous relationships.