COMM330: Textbook Notes for Exam #1Chapter 1: Conceptualizing Relational Communication- Personal relationships are central to being human- The capacity to form relationships is innate and biological - Humans have less potential for survival, creativity, and innovation as individuals than they do in their relationships- Communication plays a central role in relationships- Relationships can’t exists without communicationThe Field of Personal Relationships: A Brief History- Critical function of scientific research on relationships is to provide a checksand balance system for the popular advice given in the mediaContributions of Interpersonal Communication Research- Research started in the 1960s and 70sInterpersonal Relationship: It is unique, irreplaceable, and requires understanding of the partners psychological make-up- Youth movement in the 1960s represents q rebellion against society thoughtto be impersonal and manipulative- Relationships are the primary locus of communication and are an inherentlycommunicative phenomenon- Communication influences relational development while relational development influences the nature of the communication between parties to the relationshipContributions of Social Psychology - Early focus on social development and personality - Started to study smaller groups of people and dyads- Early book published The Social Psychology of Groups which lead to researchon social exchange processes in groups and dyads; rewards and reciprocity - Interpersonal Attraction: Focused on emerging relationships between strangers- Social Penetration: The Development of Interpersonal Relationships: Examined self-disclosure, relationships development, helped generate research in communication, and relationship disengagement - Journal or Personality and Social Psychology: Still published today- Up until the mid 1980s no journals devoted to the study of relationships- First personal conference in 1980s souly on interpersonal relationshipsWhere the INPR and ISSPR were created- Stresses youthfulness of this science- INPR establishes first journal dedicated to interpersonal relationships: Journal of Social and Personal Relationships- 10 years later: Personal Relationships… - Merged to one: IARRRoots in Other Disciplines- Anthropology, family studies, sociology, developmental and child psychology, all contribute to personal relationship studies- Scientists in the different fields view relationships so differently therefore the science is evolving quicklyRelationshipsGeneral Types of RelationshipsRole RelationshipsBehavioral Dependence: Basic ingredient for having a relationship; both peoples behavior influences each otherRole Relationships: Functional or causal and often are temporary - People are usually interchanged and not unique- Not true interpersonal relationships- Interdependence is temporary and defined by the situationInterpersonal Relationships- Require behavioral independence and that the two people influence each other in meaningful waysMutual Influence: Both parties influence each other- Influence extends beyond mundane tasks to activities that create connection at a social or emotional level rather than a task level- Have repeated interaction over timeUnique Interaction Patterns: The way the two people communicate is different than how they communicate with other peopleClose Relationships- Have all three features of interpersonal relationships(1) Emotional Attachment (2) Need Fulfillment (3) Irreplaceability- Distinctions between the groups are often blurred- Interpersonal and role relationshipsEX. Close relationships with mom but also role of the daughter- Behavioral interdependence categorizes all relationships but as people become closer, interdependence becomes more diverse (interdependent in many ways) and enduring- Need fulfillment is in all three relationships but close relationships are the ones we focus on most Need Fulfillment in Close Relationships- Three most interpersonal needs: (1) Affection(2) Inclusion(3) Control1. Affection- Need for affection satisfied through our ability to love and be loved- “Failure to thrive syndrome” when infants aren’t touched- Makes people feel better about themselves and others- Increased health benefits- Occurs in dyads- Forms the basis for our most powerful and closest relationships2. Social Inclusion- Safety and survival are satisfied- Belonging to groups is important to people- Feeling included is a critical part of social development3. Behavioral Control- Desire to feel in control of one’s life- Successful interpersonal relationships share control- Scare people are most attractive- Want what we can’t have EX. Limited time onlyRelationship Categories- Categorize based on typeEX. Friendship, romance, family- “Blended Relationships” EX. Brother but ALSO your best friend- Not necessarily mutually exclusive; blurred lines- People are concerned about how to behave appropriately due to this- Categorized based on typical or mainstreamEX. Gay, lesbian, straight, single parent families, unmarried, etc.- Research on gay and lesbian relationships lags behind heterosexual- Traditional models of relationships do not apply to all relationships but relationships are all very similar in their common elements - Interracial and homosexual relationships have to deal with a lot more prejudice than heterosexual relationshipsCharacteristics Distinguishing Different Relationship Types5 Relationship Categories1. Voluntary Vs. Involuntary- Can be involved in some relationships but enter other relationships without volitionEX. Can’t choose your in-laws- Voluntary is more based on communication because you have a choice- Involuntary leaves not much choice but communication obviously still plays a role2. Genetically Related Vs. Nonrelated- How genetically related people are to us defines our relationship to them- Increased affection toward relatives- Genetic closeness is also related to how voluntary or involuntary your relationship isEX. Cousin is your cousin even if you don’t like him – Involuntary- Biological children and their relationships to parents vs. adopted 3. Sexual Vs. Platonic - Platonic: Friendships, familial relationships, etc.- Sexual: Intimate relationships- Platonic can be just as satisfying as sexual4. Romantic Vs. Nonromantic- Friends with benefits have sex but not romance- Difference is in how the partners define it - Romantic is typically a couple- The difference between emotional closeness and