Chapter 1: Introduction to Interpersonal

Communication
Chapter Goals
Explain three prevailing models of human communication.
Describe the impersonal-interpersonal communication continuum.
Define and interpret interpersonal communication
Understand the principles of interpersonal communication.
Demystify stereotypes associated with interpersonal communication.
Explain how ethical awareness relates to interpersonal encounters.
Outline
I. Communication apprehension
A. egitimate life experience that usually negatively affects our communication
with others. !"ee communication assessment test#.
$. %his boo& is about improving your ability to interact with other people.
II. 'e engage in interpersonal communication daily.
A. "cholars have identified six &inds of situations in which human communication
exists.
III. (odels of Communication)visual* simplified representations of complex relationships
in the communication process.
A. inear model of communication !"hannon + 'eaver* ,-.-#* see figure ,.,.
$. /our types of noise can interrupt a message0
C. %he linear view suggests that communication ta&es place in a context* which is
multidimensional* or the environment in which a message is sent.
A. Although the linear model was highly regarded when it was first
conceptuali1ed* the linear approach has been critici1ed because it presumes
that communication has a definable beginning and ending.
D. /eedbac& and the Interaction (odel !see figure ,.2#.
E. i&e the linear model* the interactional model has been critici1ed for its view
of senders and receivers.
/. "hared meaning and the %ransactional (odel !see figure ,.3#.
A. (any interpersonal communication scholars embrace the transactional process in
their research4 such as* 5ulia 'ood !,--6* p. 7# who believes that human
communication 8is always tied to what came before and always anticipates what
may come later.9
I. :ur notion of communication models is continually evolving.
I;. %he <ature of Interpersonal Communication
A. %he interpersonal communication continuum.
$. %here are three important issues when determining the extent to which an encounter is
impersonal* interpersonal* or in between0 relational history* relational rules* and
relational uni=ueness.
,
C. Defining Interpersonal Communication is the process of message transaction
between people to create and sustain shared meaning.
;. %he ;alue of Interpersonal Communication
A. A variety of sources report that interpersonal s&ills top the list of s&ills employers are
loo&ing for in new hires.
A. A number of recent conclusions by both academic and medical communities
show the value of communication and relationships and how they affect our
lives physically* emotionally* and psychologically.
;I. >rinciples of Interpersonal Communication
A. Interpersonal communication is unavoidable !'at1lawic&* $eavin* + 5ac&son#.
$. Interpersonal communication is irreversible.
C. Interpersonal communication involves symbol exchange.
D. Interpersonal communication is rule-governed.
E. Interpersonal communication is learned.
/. Interpersonal communication has both content and relationship information.
;II. (yths of Interpersonal Communication
A. Interpersonal communication solves all problems.
$. Interpersonal communication is always a good thing.
C. Interpersonal communication is common sense.
D. Interpersonal communication is synonymous with interpersonal relationships.
E. Interpersonal communication is always face-to-face.
;III. Interpersonal Communication Ethics
A. /ive ethical systems of communication are categorical imperative* utilitarianism*
the golden mean* ethic of care* and significant choice.
$. Understanding ethics and our own values.
Terms for Review
Categorical imperative
Channel
?istorical context
Interactional (odel of Communication
Internal feedbac&
>rocess
>sychological noise
@eceiver
@elational history
@elational rules
@elational uni=ueness
@elationship information
"elf-actuali1ation
"emantic noise
"ender
"ignificant choice
2
Student Activities
1. Directions: @ead each passage and identify which principle of Interpersonal
Communication is best illustrated.
A. <ow that $rian has graduated from college* his friend %omAs parents &eep telling him he
should use their first names. %his is aw&ward for $rian because his parents always told
him to address adults using their last names and a title.
Interpersonal Communication BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
$. Danielle as&ed her roommate* 5ane* if she borrowed her new pin& sweater because it
smelled li&e 5aneAs perfume. 5ane didnAt say anything and continued reading her
boo&* refusing to loo& at Danielle. Danielle &new 5ane heard her and she got her
answer even though 5ane never said anything.
Interpersonal Communication BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
C. 'hen Chris came home* %erry said in an accusing tone of voice* 8I thought you were
going to ta&e out the garbage this morning. %hatAs the third wee& in a row you
forgot.8
Interpersonal CommunicationBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
D. In @eneeAs family they were not allowed to sing at the dinner table and always too& turns
telling about their day while they had dinner.
Interpersonal CommunicationBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
E. 5avier and (aria always teased each other* so when 5avier told (aria he loved her she
misunderstood his feelings and thought he was Co&ing.
Interpersonal CommunicationBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
Answers0 A. learned* $. unavoidable* C. content and relationship dimensions* D.
rule-governed* E. symbol of exchange
3

. Directions: oo& at ten different want ads for Cobs in the newspaper or online. ?ow many
of them list communication or interpersonal s&ills as part of the Cob descriptionD Compare
your results with another student.
. Directions: @eview the communication models discussed in the chapter. 'hat would you
include in your own model of communicationD Is there anything you would omitD
Draw and label your own model below. "hare and compare your model with another
student.
.
!. Directions: 'rite down . or E adCectives that you thin& describe the following based on
stereotypes. Do you believe these are accurateD 'hy or why notD
AthleteBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
CheerleaderBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
"ecretaryBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
DoctorBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
(uslimBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
ChristianBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
5ewBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
BBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBBB
E
Interactive Activities
1.1 Interactive "odels of Communication
http0FFpirate.shu.eduF )yatesdanFmodel.html
Chec& out "eton ?all University professor Daniel GatesH active view of the linear* interactive* and
transactional models of communication. !Clic& on the 8<ext8 lin& to move from model to model.# <otice
the development of the models from the early linear model to the more advanced transactional model.
1. 'hat elements are consistentD 'hat elements are changed or addedD
1. Can you thin& of a communication experience in your own life where the interaction was similar to
that shown in the linear modelD In this interaction* you may have been the sender or receiver with
little or no feedbac&. ?owever* most communication situations are better represented with the
transactional model* in which the participants are engaged in real dialogue.
1. Communication in #mer$enc% Situations
http0FFenvstudies.brown.eduFoldsiteF%hesisF2II3F5essicaBJalanteFpagesFcommemerIC".html
%he communication roles illustrated by communication models vary depending on the situation. $rown
University student 5essica JalanteAs research indicates a changing model of communication for
environmental science and in the case of emergencies. /or example* in an emergency* there may be time
only for a very brief message with little feedbac&.
,. @ead JalanteAs web page 8Communication in Emergencies.8
2. After reading this page* clic& on the lin& 8Emergencies8 at left. %hin& bac& to a time when you were
experiencing great emotional stress or in an emergency situation. ?ow did you communicate
7
during that situationD ?ow did the various elements in the communication model changeD
3. At the bottom of this page* clic& on 8?ow does communication wor& in emergencies in time of
urgency and directionD8 'hat happened to the transactional model of communicationD In this case*
does the linear model seem most appropriateD 'hy or why notD
1.& Technical versus Interpersonal S'ills
http0FFenvstudies.brown.eduFoldsiteF%hesisF2II3F5essicaBJalanteFpagesFcommemerIC".html
Read the article ()hich Is "ore *alua+le: Technical or Interpersonal S'ills,( as it relates to
evaluatin$ -o+ applicants. technical versus interpersonal s'ills. )ith a partner or small $roup/
discuss the followin$:
1. Do %ou thin' one s'ill/ technical or interpersonal/ is more important than the other,
2. 'hat s&ills would you loo& for if you were hiring someone for a positionD
K
2. ?ow do you feel about the solutions the author of the article suggests to develop a new hireAs
interpersonal s&illsD
3. Do you foresee any problems with these solutionsD
.. 'hat solutions can you offer to improve someoneAs interpersonal s&ills for this CobD
1.! Communication S'ills Test
http:00discover%health.1ueendom.com0communication2short2access.html
One of the first steps in improvin$ %our communication s'ills is to assess and monitor %our
own interpersonal s'ills and actions. )hen %ou honestl% evaluate %our s'ills/ %ou will +e$in
to +etter understand interactions %ou have with others. Assess %our interpersonal s'ills +%
ta'in$ Discover%3ealth.com.s ten41uestion communication s'ills test. It.s 1uic' and it $ives %ou
a nice snapshot of %our communication s'ills. 5or the most informative results/ remem+er to +e
honest a+out %our communication stren$ths and wea'nesses.
6
InfoTrac Colle$e #dition Activities
,., @eceived as (eant to be "entD
()here Is the 6"essa$e. in Communication "odels,( +% Ra%mond Go77i/ 8r.
ETC.: A Review of General Semantics, April 99!
This article e:amines the comple:it% associated with the term (messa$e( in the communication
model. In the author.s e:ample of the conversation +etween the mother/ son/ and dau$hter/
perspective and the relationship +etween the sender and the receiver affect how the receiver
interprets the messa$e. Thin' +ac' to an interaction %ou had recentl% with a friend or a relative.
1. Dia$ram the interaction/ appl%in$ the elements and roles of the communication models.
2. 'ho was the sender and the receiverD 'hat was the channel of communication and the messageD
2. 'as the communication linear or transactionalD
.. 'as the message received as the sender intendedD :r did the relationship between the sender and the
receiver* or expectations of the receiver* alter the message receivedD
-
1. The Communication "odel at )or'
(Avoidin$ ;rea'downs in the Communication <rocess( +% )all% Adamchi'
=ational Driller/ 5e+ruar% 99&
%o ta&e a loo& at a real-life application of the communication model* this article applies our model to
todayAs business environment. %he author stresses that in order for business interactions to be successful*
we must apply and evaluate the model of communication* especially when there is a brea&down in
communication.
1. %he article states that almost half of people surveyed identified that being an effective communicator
was the most important =uality of a business executive. 'rite out 6 to ,I other =ualities you feel are
important for an executive to have. <ow go bac& over your list and circle those that are
communication-related.
2. Can you thin& of a wor&-related situation in which there was a brea&down in communicationD <ow
that you are familiar with the elements of the communication model* can you identify where the
brea&down occurredD Do you thin& that if you or the participants would have been &nowledgeable of
the communication process* it would have eliminated the brea&down or made a differenceD
1.& Interpersonal Communication and 3ealth
(=uances of Interpersonal Relationships Influence ;lood <ressure(
Heart Disease Weekly, Au$ust 1>/ 99&
Did you &now that interpersonal communication can affect your healthD %his article discusses how stress
and blood pressure increase when we communicate with people we have conflicted feelings about.
,I
,. ?ave you ever heard of anyone who had health problems because of his or her communication with
othersD 'hat about because of a lac& of communication or companionshipD ?ave you heard of an
elderly person losing a life companionD 'hat often happens to the person left behindD
2. %hin& of a loved one or a close friend you enCoy spending time with. 'rite down how
your interactions with that person ma&es you feel. <ow thin& of someone you interact
with whom you donAt enCoy being around or whose behavior irritates you. 'rite down how
you feel about your interactions with that person.
2. 'e canAt go through life avoiding others* but we can control our feelings and reactions to those
with whom we communicate. 'hat strategies can you implement to respond positively to
negative influencesD
,,
Gour %urn 5ournal Activity
%here are similarities and differences in the way we communicate with our neighbors* family* friends* and
cowor&ers. 'rite about these and use examples of the types of conversations you have with each. 'hat
conclusions can you draw about how interpersonal communication varies based on particular sets of
people with whom you interactD Are there times you wish communication were reversibleD
,2
?ui7
True or 5alse
,. Interpersonal communication is a simple process. !p. 7#
%rue or /alse
2. 'hen you debate with yourself* you are engaging in
intrapersonal communication. !p. 7#
%rue or /alse
3. %here is some overlap among different types of
communication. !p. K#
%rue or /alse
.. Communication models are visual* simplified representations of complex relationships in the
communication process. !p. K#
%rue or /alse
E. "hannon and 'eaver view communication as a transactional process. !p. K#
%rue or /alse
7. /our types of noise may disrupt a message. !p. 6#
%rue or /alse
K. >hysical noise is also called external noise. !p. 6#
%rue or /alse
6. %he physical context is everything but the tangible environment in which communication
occurs. !p. -#
%rue or /alse
-. :ur notion of communication models is static. !p. ,3#
%rue or /alse
,I. (ost employers discount the importance of interpersonal communication s&ills. !p.,K#
%rue or /alse
,3
"ultiple Choice ?uestions
,. 'hich of the following four components are included in the linear model of communicationD !p.
,I#
A. sender* receiver* encoder* and decoder
$. physical noise* semantic noise* physiological noise* and psychological noise
C. sender* Context* Channel* and receiver
D. sender* receiver* message* and channel.
2. %he transactional model of communication underscores the fact that giving and receiving
messages is0 !p. ,3#
A. dynamic
$. reciprocal
C. deniable
D. retrievable
&. A uni1ue feature of the transactional model is its reco$nition that messa$es: @p. 1&A
A. have nonver+al elements
;. are interdependent
C. are intradependent
D. +uild upon each other
!. )hich of the followin$ is =OT a principle of interpersonal communication, @p. 1A
A. Interpersonal communication is unavoida+le.
;. Interpersonal communication is irreversi+le.
C. Interpersonal communication involves noise.
D. Interpersonal communication involves s%m+ol e:chan$e.
B.Interpersonal communication has: @p. !A
A. +oth content and relationship information.
;. +oth conte:tual and relationship information
C. +oth content and relative information.
D. +oth concrete and relative information.
7. 'hich of the following statements about interpersonal communication is a mythD !p. 22#
A. Interpersonal communication is rule4$overned.
;. Interpersonal communication is alwa%s face4to4face.
C. Interpersonal communication is learned.
D. Interpersonal communication is unavoida+le.
>. #ver% communication e:perience is: @p. 1A
A. uni1ue
;. unrepeata+le
C. irreversi+le
D. all of the a+ove
,.
C. )hen %ou turn awa% from someone/ %ou are: @p. 1A
A. communicatin$
;. havin$ some effect
C. communicatin$
D. not having any effect
E. both a and b
-. %he golden mean is an ethical system that proposes0 !p. 2-#
A. we should be &ind to one another.
$. we should always try to compromise.
C. we should aim for harmony and balance in our lives.
D. we should try to ma&e many friends.
,I. <ilsen argued that communication is ethical to the extent that0 !p. 3I#
A. it maximi1es peopleAs ability to exercise free choice.
$. it maximi1es pleasure and minimi1es pain.
C. it maximi1es peopleAs ability to say what they feel.
D. it maximi1es rules and guidelines.
,,. At the core of communication are two behaviors. %hey are0 !p. 33#
A. Collaboration and commitment.
$. Competency and civility
C. Civility and chivalry
D. Coordination and compensation
,2. ;arying bac&grounds can affect how a0 !p. 33#
A. message is sent and received.
$. message is received but not sent.
C. message is sent but not received.
D. neither sent nor received.
,3. 'e learn how to communicate from our0 !p. 23#
A. teachers
$. parents
C. friends
D. all of the above
,.. "emiotics refers to0 !p. 2,#
A. syntax and grammar of a language.
$. how fre=uently silence is used in communication.
C. signs and symbols that ma&e up a language.
D. the fixed ideas within a language system.
,E. 'hich of the following is <:% a myth about communicationD !p. 2E#
A. Interpersonal communication solves all problems.
,E
$. Interpersonal communication is unrepeatable.
C. Interpersonal communication is always a good thing.
D. Interpersonal communication is synonymous with interpersonal relationships.
#ssa% ?uestions
,. ist and explain three principles of interpersonal communication. $e sure to give examples.
2. Explain in a short essay why the concept of process is important in understanding how communication
wor&s.
3. Discuss how studying interpersonal communication can help you succeed in your professional
career.
,7
.. Choose one of the five ethical systems explained in your text and discuss how it applies to your own
life.
E. Choose one of the five ethical systems discussed in your text and explain why you disagree with it and
give an example that supports your answer.
,K
Answers to ?ui7
True or 5alse
,. /alse
2. %rue
3. %rue
.. %rue
E. /alse
7. %rue
K. /alse
6. /alse
-. /alse
,I. /alse
"ultiple Choice ?uestions
,. D
2. $
3. D
.. C
E. A
7. $
K. D
6. E
-. C
,I. A
,,. $
,2. A
,3. D
,.. C
,E. $
,6