Interpersonal Communications

Interpersonal communication as a whole:

Why Do We Form Relationships?

Context: Where communication takes place. How you know the person. Family, job, school, religions, sports etc.

Definition: When people treat one another as unique individuals, regardless of context in which interaction takes place or number of people involved.

Time: We measure the quality of the relationship often by the length of time we spent together and the length of time we CHOOSE to spend together.

Intimacy: Intimacy refers to the closeness of a relationship.

Physical intimacy

Intellectual intimacy

Emotional intimacy

Spiritual intimacy

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.

Appearance

Reciprocal Attraction (we are attracted to people who like us)

Similarity (we do tend to like people who are like us)

Instrumental goals such as gaining compliance (getting someone to do something for us), getting information we need, or asking for support.

relational goals, we are striving to maintain a positive relationship. (like routine maintenance on a car)

self-presentation goals by adapting our communication in order to be perceived in particular ways.

We use these three strategic functions unconsciously a lot of the time in order to maintain a steady relationship with one another

Cultural Aspects of Interpersonal Communication

Relationship cultures: The climates established through interpersonal communication that are unique to the relational partners but based on larger cultural and social norms.

Relationship schemata Can be seen similar to blueprints or plans that show the inner workings of a relationship.