Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Chapter Goals
Explain three prevailing models of human communication.
Describe the impersonal-interpersonal communication continuum.
Define and interpret interpersonal communication
Understand the principles of interpersonal communication.
Demystify stereotypes associated with interpersonal communication.
Explain how ethical awareness relates to interpersonal encounters.
Outline
I. Communication apprehension
A. Legitimate life experience that usually negatively affects our communication
with others. (See communication assessment test).
B. This book is about improving your ability to interact with other people.
II. We engage in interpersonal communication daily.
A. Scholars have identified six kinds of situations in which human communication
exists.
III. Models of Communicationvisual, simplified representations of complex relationships
in the communication process.
A. Linear model of communication (Shannon & Weaver, 1949), see figure 1.1.
B. Four types of noise can interrupt a message:
C. The linear view suggests that communication takes place in a context, which is
multidimensional, or the environment in which a message is sent.
A. Although the linear model was highly regarded when it was first
conceptualized, the linear approach has been criticized because it presumes
that communication has a definable beginning and ending.
D. Feedback and the Interaction Model (see figure 1.2).
E. Like the linear model, the interactional model has been criticized for its view
of senders and receivers.
F. Shared meaning and the Transactional Model (see figure 1.3).
A. Many interpersonal communication scholars embrace the transactional process in
their research; such as, Julia Wood (1998, p. 6) who believes that human
communication "is always tied to what came before and always anticipates what
may come later.
I. Our notion of communication models is continually evolving.
IV. The Nature of Interpersonal Communication
A. The interpersonal communication continuum.
B. There are three important issues when determining the extent to which an encounter is
impersonal, interpersonal, or in between: relational history, relational rules, and
relational uniqueness.
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Student Activities
A. Now that Brian has graduated from college, his friend Tom's parents keep telling him he
should use their first names. This is awkward for Brian because his parents always told
him to address adults using their last names and a title.
B. Danielle asked her roommate, Jane, if she borrowed her new pink sweater because it
smelled like Jane's perfume. Jane didn't say anything and continued reading her
book, refusing to look at Danielle. Danielle knew Jane heard her and she got her
answer even though Jane never said anything.
C. When Chris came home, Terry said in an accusing tone of voice, "I thought you were
going to take out the garbage this morning. That's the third week in a row you
forgot."
Interpersonal Communication________________________
D. In Renee's family they were not allowed to sing at the dinner table and always took turns
telling about their day while they had dinner.
Interpersonal Communication________________________
E. Javier and Maria always teased each other, so when Javier told Maria he loved her she
misunderstood his feelings and thought he was joking.
Interpersonal Communication________________________
2. Directions: Look at ten different want ads for jobs in the newspaper or online. How many
of them list communication or interpersonal skills as part of the job description? Compare
your results with another student.
2. Directions: Review the communication models discussed in the chapter. What would you
include in your own model of communication? Is there anything you would omit?
Draw and label your own model below. Share and compare your model with another
student.
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4. Directions: Write down 4 or 5 adjectives that you think describe the following based on
stereotypes. Do you believe these are accurate? Why or why not?
Athlete__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
Cheerleader______________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
Secretary________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Doctor__________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Muslim_________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Christian________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
Jew____________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________
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Interactive Activities
1.1 Interactive Models of Communication
http://pirate.shu.edu/yatesdan/model.html
Check out Seton Hall University professor Daniel Yates active view of the linear, interactive, and
transactional models of communication. (Click on the "Next" link to move from model to model.) Notice
the development of the models from the early linear model to the more advanced transactional model.
1. What elements are consistent? What elements are changed or added?
1. Can you think of a communication experience in your own life where the interaction was similar to
that shown in the linear model? In this interaction, you may have been the sender or receiver with
little or no feedback. However, most communication situations are better represented with the
transactional model, in which the participants are engaged in real dialogue.
during that situation? How did the various elements in the communication model change?
3. At the bottom of this page, click on "How does communication work in emergencies in time of
urgency and direction?" What happened to the transactional model of communication? In this case,
does the linear model seem most appropriate? Why or why not?
2. What skills would you look for if you were hiring someone for a position?
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2. How do you feel about the solutions the author of the article suggests to develop a new hire's
interpersonal skills?
4. What solutions can you offer to improve someone's interpersonal skills for this job?
4. Was the message received as the sender intended? Or did the relationship between the sender and the
receiver, or expectations of the receiver, alter the message received?
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1. The article states that almost half of people surveyed identified that being an effective communicator
was the most important quality of a business executive. Write out 8 to 10 other qualities you feel are
important for an executive to have. Now go back over your list and circle those that are
communication-related.
2. Can you think of a work-related situation in which there was a breakdown in communication? Now
that you are familiar with the elements of the communication model, can you identify where the
breakdown occurred? Do you think that if you or the participants would have been knowledgeable of
the communication process, it would have eliminated the breakdown or made a difference?
1. Have you ever heard of anyone who had health problems because of his or her communication with
others? What about because of a lack of communication or companionship? Have you heard of an
elderly person losing a life companion? What often happens to the person left behind?
2. Think of a loved one or a close friend you enjoy spending time with. Write down how
your interactions with that person makes you feel. Now think of someone you interact
with whom you don't enjoy being around or whose behavior irritates you. Write down how
you feel about your interactions with that person.
2. We can't go through life avoiding others, but we can control our feelings and reactions to those
with whom we communicate. What strategies can you implement to respond positively to
negative influences?
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Quiz
True or False
1. Interpersonal communication is a simple process. (p. 6)
True or False
True or False
8. The physical context is everything but the tangible environment in which communication
occurs. (p. 9)
True or False
10. Most employers discount the importance of interpersonal communication skills. (p.17)
True or False
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2. The transactional model of communication underscores the fact that giving and receiving
messages is: (p. 13)
A. dynamic
B. reciprocal
C. deniable
D. retrievable
3. A unique feature of the transactional model is its recognition that messages: (p. 13)
A. have nonverbal elements
B. are interdependent
C. are intradependent
D. build upon each other
6. Which of the following statements about interpersonal communication is a myth? (p. 22)
A. Interpersonal communication is rule-governed.
B. Interpersonal communication is always face-to-face.
C. Interpersonal communication is learned.
D. Interpersonal communication is unavoidable.
8. When you turn away from someone, you are: (p. 21)
A. communicating
B. having some effect
C. communicating
D. not having any effect
E. both a and b
10. Nilsen argued that communication is ethical to the extent that: (p. 30)
A. it maximizes people's ability to exercise free choice.
B. it maximizes pleasure and minimizes pain.
C. it maximizes people's ability to say what they feel.
D. it maximizes rules and guidelines.
11. At the core of communication are two behaviors. They are: (p. 33)
A. Collaboration and commitment.
B. Competency and civility
C. Civility and chivalry
D. Coordination and compensation
12. Varying backgrounds can affect how a: (p. 33)
A. message is sent and received.
B. message is received but not sent.
C. message is sent but not received.
D. neither sent nor received.
15. Which of the following is NOT a myth about communication? (p. 25)
A. Interpersonal communication solves all problems.
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Essay Questions
1. List and explain three principles of interpersonal communication. Be sure to give examples.
2. Explain in a short essay why the concept of process is important in understanding how communication
works.
3. Discuss how studying interpersonal communication can help you succeed in your professional
career.
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4. Choose one of the five ethical systems explained in your text and discuss how it applies to your own
life.
5. Choose one of the five ethical systems discussed in your text and explain why you disagree with it and
give an example that supports your answer.
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Answers to Quiz
True or False
1. False
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. False
6. True
7. False
8. False
9. False
10. False