Interpersonal Communication

- process of understanding and sharing meaning between two persons

- relatively mutual opportunity for speaking and listening occurs
- solve problems, resolve conflicts, share info, improve perception of
ourselves or to fulfill social needs to belong or loved
- establish relationships (friendship + romantic)
- includes DYADIC COMMUNICATION and SMALL GROUP COMMUNICATIONS
NATURE OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
(accd. to Pearson;)
- includes two or more people
- interdependent or mutually dependent on one another
- consistent pattern or behavior
- over a period of time
(ONE TIME INTERACTIONS DO NOT COUNT!!)
MODELS OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
(accd. to Masternon;)
1. Descriptive Model of Interpersonal Communication
- different interrelated variables in a small group interaction
VARIABLES:
> Speech Communication - means by which relationships are established +
maintained
- what we say, to whom, how we say it
> Leadership - behaviour that influences the group
> Goals - purpose of the group or why an activity is being done
> Norms - acceptable behaviors that are encouraged in the group; forbids
other behaviours
> Roles - expected patterns of behavior for ourselves + others in a give
n context
> Cohesiveness - degree of "attraction" or loyalty of members towards ea
ch other + group
> Outcome - results that are used to measure effectiveness of small grou
p interactions
CRITERIA: effectiveness of group's product, decision or solution
feeling of satisfaction that each member feels
Input Variables
11. It includes such factors as group members and group resou
rces (like friends, tools, knowledge, purposes, etc.)
in the consideration of the group s ability to effectively
communicate.
Process Variables 12. It considers factors (to measure the group s ability to effe
ctively communicate) that are related
to the procedures that the group follows and/or underta
kes to reach its intended goals.
Output Variables 13. It considers pre-selected results like problem solutions,
decision to personal growth, and/or satisfaction
as criterion to measure the group s ability to effectively
communicate.
2. Contingency Model of Leadership Effectiveness
- role and nature of leadership in small group interactions
A. Different Perspectives
> Trait Perspective - certain attributes identify leadership pot
ential (natural-born leader)
- intelligence, enthusiasm, dominance, selfconfidence, social participation
and equalitarianism
- physically larger than most or "better loo
king"; looks that inspire confidence
> Functional Perspective - there are leadership behaviours that

can be learned by anyone who has a mind to (leaders are made)

TYPES OF LEADERSHIP
* Task Leadership - behavior intended to specifically ac
complish a group goal
* Process Leadership - behaviour intended to maintain pe
ace and camaraderie in the group
Barnhurd and Haiman identified leadership behaviors that gu
ide, influence and direct or control others in the group
> Situational Perspective - confluence of certain circumstances
can affect (+ or -) leadership behaviours, task needs + process needs
SITUATIONAL VARIABLES
* Leader - Member Relations - the better the relationshi
p, (leader is well respected, liked + trusted)
easier a time the leader h
as in exerting influence
* Task Structure - standard set of operation structures
(assigning specific tasks + tracking accountability) to achieve group goal
* Position Power - authority or influence wielded by the
leader, if need be, must be compensated by other methods of persuasion
STAGES IN INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
1. Orientation
2. Exploratory affective exchange
3. Affective exchange
4. Stable exchange
CHARACTERISTICE REQUIRED FOR RELATIONSHIP PROGRESS
1. richness or breadth of interaction
2. uniqeness of interaction
3. efficiency of exchange
4. substitutability and equivalency
5. synchronization and pacing
6. permeability and openness
7. voluntariness and spontaneity
8. evalutaion
IMPROVING COMMUNICATION IN INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
- commitment to learn a variety of comm. skills
- understand importance of perceptual differences, self-concept in communicatioo
n, nature of verbal language and role of non-verb comm.
- willing to share ourselves with others as we self-disclose (disclose = reveal)
- attempt to understand other people through careful and conscientious listening
INTERPERSONAL CONFLICT
(accd. to Wilke;)
- expressed struggle between atleast 2 interdependent parties who perceive incom
patible goals, scarce rewards and interference from other parties to
achieve their goals
- all communicators understand a conflict is present; if one feels conflict but
other does not = no interpersonal conflict
CONFLICT RESOLUTION PATTERNS:
1. Denial - individuals withdraw from the conflict + dont acknowledge a problem
exits; cause remains, makes individuals feel uncomfortable
2. Suppression - aware of the problem but choose to minimize its importance in t
he group; attempts to smooth over problem by minimizing the differences in opini
on
regarding the matter in attempt to preserve relationships
3. Power - use power or wield it to control process; use authority to dictate ou

tcome or persuade individuals to agree with point of view

4. Compromise - resolve a conflict each (opposing view) state their position + a
ctively work to find a middle ground; where no one is completely happy or unhapp
y
effective in some situations, last resort in others
5. Collaboration - resolve a conflict talk with each other and attempt to negoti
ate a situation satisfactory to all individuals; recognize and respect the abili
ty and expertise of the others
Puts emphasis on problem rather than defending one's position; ggroup decision i
s superior to any one individual