Chapter 1: Introducing Interpersonal Communication

5 Characteristics of Interpersonal Communication

1) Continuous 2) Dynamic (changes and evolves over time) 3) Consequential (there's outcome from comm) 4) Irreversible (always out there once you do it) 5) Imperfect (different meaning attached to messages)

Features of Interpersonal Comm Competence

1) Fidelity=how clear messages are 2) appropriateness=whether message matches situation 3) satisfaction=whether or not interaction is enjoyable 4) effective=ability to produce desired outcomes 5) efficiency= no more than reasonable effort needed to get wanted outcome Ethics=using values and morals to guide your comm

Research Methods 2 Study Interpersonal Comm

1) Interview 2) Ethnography (go 2 ppl and study them 4 extended period of time) 3) Interaction Studies (video camera) 4) Surveys/questionnaires 5) Experiments

Theory

a description of the relationships among concepts that promote an understanding of a phenomenon Theories are: incomplete

Positive Association

both go up

Interpersonal Comm Ethics When Researching

consider moral responsibilities/ethics 2 other ppl and relationships

Content Messages

literal meaning of what is said (dictionary def of message)

Relational Messages

nature of relationship between btwn comm partners that's implied by the symbols used to comm

Negative Association

one up, one down

Curvilinear Association

positive association to a point, until it goes down

Comm Competence includes:

skill (things u can learn 2 be better communicator) motivation (desire 2 learn 2 comm well) knowledge (knowing what's best in certain situation)

These things shape the meaning of a message

symbols used, relationship history, the situation

Interpersonal Comm Competence

the ability to use well the symbols that represent ideas and create a personal connection w/ another person

Interpersonal Communication

using symbols to represent ideas in order to share meanings and bond w/ ppl