Transcript COM 108 Framework

Interpersonal Communication
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Introduction to interpersonal
communication:
verbal and non-verbal face-to-face
interactions;
understanding messages sent and received;
awareness and resolutions of
communication barriers.
There are two goals for this course:
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To introduce interpersonal
communication concepts and theories
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To help you learn new communication
skills
Upon successful completion of this class,
you should be able to
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Identify, describe, and explain major concepts
involved in interpersonal communication,
Understand interdisciplinary character of the
subject of Interpersonal Communication
Analyze interpersonal communication issues
with the knowledge of a basic scientific
methodology.
Upon successful completion of this class,
you should be able to
4. Identify and provide solutions to some commonly
encountered communication barriers.
5. Gain self-awareness of your ability as an
interpersonal communicator.
Experiential Learning
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This course combines theory and practice. For a
student to benefit from the class beyond learning
the basic interpersonal theories, the course
requires active participation in the class and a
serious attempt to integrate:
conceptualizations based on the reading,
observations, lectures and
everyday experiences in interpersonal
communication.
Why we communicate?
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Physical Needs
Social Needs: Predicting behavior/ social
participation
Identity Needs: Reinforcing/building
identity
Practical Needs / Goals: Accomplishing
something
The Interpersonal Imperative
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Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs:
Physical needs
Safety needs
Belonging needs
Self-esteem needs
Self-actualization needs
Communication
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The transmission of information, idea, emotion,
skills, etc. by the use of symbols—words, pictures,
figures, etc.
It involves source (sender), receiver, message,
channel, context, etc.
It has a purpose (is intentional)
Is interactive (message elicits response)
Communication Objectives
Primary:
Inform, persuade, entertain, instruct, educate,
inspire, undermine, refute, destroy.
Secondary:
Earn money, sell newspapers, attract
advertisers, represent clients, etc.
Communication discipline / research
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Communication research examines the
processes by which meanings are created and
managed
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How people structure and interpret messages
and use symbols (language) in several contexts
Communication contexts
(areas of communication research)
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Interpersonal communication
Intercultural / International
Group communication
Mass Communication
Organizational communication
Public communication
Communication Research: A Brief History
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Foundations in Classical Greece and Rome—emphasis on
Rhetoric. Aristotle, Plato, Isocrates, Cicero.
Early 20th Century
 Emergence of Departments of “Speech”
 Emphasis on Speech and Rhetoric
World War II and Post-War Era
 Concerns with attitude formation and change
 Emergence of social and behavioral science approaches
Late 20th Century
 Concerns with mass communication, public policy, and media
 Concerns with new communication technologies, cultural
approaches
Significant areas of communication
research:
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Communication and public policy
Family communication
Health communication
Intercultural communication
Interpersonal communication
Media economics
Nonverbal communication
Organizational communication
Persuasion and social influence
Political and social rhetoric / Mass Communication
Media effects
Examples of research interests
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Interpersonal communication: conflict in
relationships, nature of love relationships
Political communication: political campaigns,
First Amendment issues, ethics
Intercultural: the effect of culture on
communication, understanding, relationships
Mass communication: public opinion, the effect
of the media on the public
Interdisciplinary character of
communication studies
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Interpersonal communication: psychology,
sociology, philosophy, ethics, biology etc.
Public communication: politics, economics, law,
history, international relations, etc.
Intercultural: psychology, anthropology, politics,
geography, etc.
Mass communication: sociology, politics, media
studies, literature, art, etc.
How it works?
Communication Process
Situation
MES SAGE
FEED BACK
Interference
Situation
Situation
CHAN NEL
The key concepts:
encoding / decoding
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Encoding: ‘translating’ ideas and
images into a code (e.g., language) that
the audience can recognize
Decoding: understanding /
deciphering received messages
(encoded ideas and images)
Communication as:
Action, Interaction and Transaction
Message / Feedback
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Positive / Negative
Person Focused / Message Focused
Immediate / Delayed
Low Monitoring / High Monitoring
Supportive / Critical
Feedforward Messages
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To open channels of communication
To preview the message
To prevent negative understanding
To altercast: ask to approach from a
specific perspective / role
Channels
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Verbal
Spoken/written words
Nonverbal cues
Personal appearance
Bodily action, Gestures
Attitudes toward Time, Space
Voice, Articulation / Dialect
Message overload
Not enough time / resources to consider all
messages
Noise
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Physical
Physiological
Psychological
Semantic
Situation
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Influences on the form and content
of messages:
Physical setting
Cultural / social milieu
Communication principles
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Inevitability: Everything communicates
Intentional vs. Unintentional
Irreversible
Unrepeatable
Communication competence
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Achieving one’s goals: Effectiveness + Ethics
A Large Communication Repertoire
Ability to Choose the Right Approach
Self-Monitoring
Cognitive Complexity / Knowledge:
“Well-developed person”
Definitions of Interpersonal
Communication
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Quantitative:
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Interpersonal communication takes place
between two persons who have an
established relationship
Dyadic Primacy
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Definitions of Interpersonal Com.
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Qualitative (established relationship)
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Uniqueness
Irreplaceability
Interdependence
Disclosure
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