Introduction to Interpersonal CommunicationClass NotesJanuary 28, 2015 Interpersonal communication is primarily between two people, but can be more broad For the purpose of this class, our definition of interpersonal communication is between two people, in the context of a relationship, and helps them negotiate and define that relationship Close relationships – Friends, family, partner, etc. Role relationships – Exists in each other’s’ lives for a specific purpose. Cashier at the supermarket, mailman, clients, etc. Relationship does not necessarily indicate intimacy The word ‘relationship’ is typically associated with an intimate relationship, but there are actually many different kinds of relationships that can exist between two people Class comment: A girl says that she discloses certain information to her brother that she wouldn’t tell her sister, because her sister would tell her dad Based on where we think the information might be going when the conversation ends, we choose which information to share. Context is the outcome of the cumulative experiences that influence the way we communicate Context gives us clues on how to communicate Class comment: Someone wanted to draw attention to one of the communication myths, communication break-down. Communication is not mechanical – it can’t be broken It’s just an excuse to avoid accepting fault for the end of a marriage, for example Silence communicates as much as talking does – we are always communicating Class Question: What about when we’re sleeping, are we still communicating? Communication is unavoidable Axiom – You can’t not communicate Sleeping sends the message – “I’m closed off right now,” or “I’m unavailable,” How you sleep with your partner sends a message about your relationship Some people say if you’re not intentionally sending a message, it isn’t communicating However, there are holes in this because sometimes things are communicated unintentionally, but are still communicated Intrapersonal communication is commonly referred to as “talking to yourself” Thinking, talking and writing (not intended for others, i.e. diary entry) Intrapersonal communication influences interpersonal communication Self-concept has an effect on how you communicate with others Competent communication Experience doesn’t mean expertise, just because people communicate all the time doesn’t meanthey are competent. Competence is defined by two qualities Effective – Was the goal met?  Appropriate – Did you communicate appropriately for the situation? Characteristics of competent communication Self-Awareness – How long have I been talking? Does the other person want a turn to speak? Empathy – How does the other person feel? Adaptability – Communication will never be the same twice. The situation and context will be different and you have to adjust accordingly Cognitive complexity – Avoid jumping to conclusions, think about multiple possibilities Ethics – Right or wrong You can be effective without being appropriate, you can be appropriate without being effective You have to have both to be competent Sometimes, one is compromised to improve the other Class Question: What if we aren’t sure what our goal is? It is possible to have subtle goals There may be an underlying reason why There may be multiple goals You may have to focus more broadly on goals or adapt your goals Class comment: If we are more in touch with our goals, we may be more competent Typically, you don’t think about the path you’re taking or the action of putting one foot in front of the other when you’re taking a walk down the street, but if you did, you might get there faster or more accurately, avoiding wrong turns, etc. Models of Communication Action – This is the most basic model, the source sends a message and the receiver either gets the message or doesn’t. Leaving a note, sending a text or an email, etc. Noise, or interference, is anything that prevents the receiver from decoding the message in the way the source intended Channel is the medium through which the message travels Interaction – A more complicated model, the source sends a message and the receiver decodes that message and sends feedback as the source. The communication goes in a circle with thesource and receiver switching roles back and forth. This model also includes context Transaction – This is a messier, more complicated model that shows that two people in conversation are simultaneously senders and receivers. Communication – A process by which information is exchanged between individuals through a common system of symbols, signs, or behavior Communications – The technology of the transmission of information (as by print or