Interpersonal Communication Midterm

Front 1

basic requirements for relationships
(only a couple of relationships actually become close)

Back 1

1. behavioral interdependence: one persons behavior influences the others behavior. (for role relationships, "server helping us at the coffee shop")
:: interpersonal relationships
1. mutual influence: influence each other in meaningful ways. takes extensive time, effort and self-disclosure
2. repeated interaction: they interact frequently. relationships without a time input rarely develop.
3. unique interactions patterns: inside jokes, shared private information.
:: close relationships: distinction between these three types of relationships are often blurred.
1. emotional attachment: close relationships are sometimes why we feel happy or sad.
2. need fulfillment: fulfills our need to belong to a group and feel loved or appreciated
3. irreplaceability: first love. they have a special place in our thoughts

Front 2

interpersonal needs

Back 2

:: Need fulfillment
1. affection: ability to love other people and have them love us
2. social inclusion: humans were always in hunter gatherer bands therefore they need that social inclusion
3. behavioral control: in successful relationships they share control about work, money, sex and children. partners who believe they lack control may sabotage their relationships

Front 3

definitions and characteristics of various relationships

Back 3

some are more committed than others
1. voluntary vs. involuntary: children cannot choose their families. we choose our friends. we use communication to determine whether or not we want to be in the relationship
2. genetically related versus nonrelated: making the relationship with your cousin in involuntary. people are more likely to give affection to relatives
3. sexual vs. platonic: platonic relationships can be just as close as sexual relationships
4. romantic versus non-romantic: both romantic and friendships with sexual activity can have emotional involvement but the difference is **how partners mutually define the relationship.** may establish marriage in the future or sexual exclusivity.
a. traditional trajectory: two people meet, are physically attracted, start dating, form an emotional attachment, and become romantic
b. first start as friends and then become sexual (redefines romance)
5. male versus female:
:sex: refers to an individuals biological makeup and parts
: gender: how masculine, feminine, or androgynous a person is based on culturally constructed.
- androgynous: both feminine and masculine

Front 4

relational goals

Back 4

how we communicate feelings about others including the kind of relationship we desire.
- at every stage of the relationship we have goals and plans for the future of that relationship
a. attending a party or going skiing
b. wanting to initiate, maintain, escalate or deescalate a relationship
c. advice based, means giving advice to peers or parents.

Front 5

communication effectiveness (table 1.1)

1. behavior sent with intention/behavior not interpreted
2. behavior sent with intention/ behavior interpreted inaccurately
3. behavior sent with intention/ behavior interpreted accurately
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4. behavior set without intention/behavior not interpreted
5. behavior sent without intention/ behavior interpreted inaccurately
6. behavior sent without intention/ behavior interpreted accurately

Back 5

the most effective communication leads to shared meaning.
a. it is impossible to get inside people's heads and to think their thoughts and feel their emotions.
b. people attach very similar meanings to a behavior.

1. attempted communication
2. miscommunication
3. successful communication

4. unattended behavior
5. misinterpretation
6. accidental communication

Front 6

communication symmetry

Back 6

1. symmetrical: when people exchange similar relational information or messages. verbal or nonverbal
2. or asymmetrical: when people exchange different kids of information. i love you versus im so sorry i dont love you anymore.

Front 7

principles of interpersonal and relational communication

Back 7

1. relationships emerge across ongoing interactions: heated argument or an anniversary all from communication
2. relationships contextualize messages: a touch from your mom doesn't mean the same thing as a touch from a date
3. communication sends a variety of relational messages: themes reflect the nature of the relationship at any given time. (dominance/ submission and intimacy)
4. in close relationships: the range and impact of relational messages typically is much greater.
5. relational communication is dynamic: relationships constantly change and so does communication. "i want to be with you sometimes but not others" (dialectical)
6. relational communication follows both linear and nonlinear patterns: linear is just how a relationship begins and ends.. straight line
- non linear: characterized by the ups and downs and contradictions. most relationships include both linear and nonlinear.

Front 8

fundamental relational themes of communication messages

Back 8

1. dominance/submission: how a person influences someone and how a person gives into influence.
2. level of intimacy: affection, inclusion, trust, depth. self disclosure, non-verbal displays of affection and immediacy.
3. degree of similarity: having similar opinions and values, agreeing with each other, reciprocating self disclosure. nonverbal like same posture, laughing together, dressing.
4. task- social orientations: reflects how much people are focused on task at hand versus off topic convo. people are seen as more task oriented when theyre more sincere, reasonable.
5. formality/ informality: formal, more uptight. informal, casual, more relaxed
6. degree of social composure: level of calmness people show in an interaction. direct eye contact. strong, convincing, saying the words at the right time.
7. emotional and arousal: distress, anger can sometimes impede communication while happiness and excitement can lead to more effective communication.

Front 9

common interaction topics

Back 9

scientists could never understand the mystery of love.