Interpersonal Communication

Course Notes

National Research University Higher School of Economics

Mikhail A. Morozov

Table of Contents

Chapter 1. Introducing Interpersonal Communication 8

Theory 8

II. Defining Communication 8

III. Understanding Communication Models 9

IV. What is Interpersonal Communication? 10

V. Martin Buber’s Continuum 11

VI. Principles of Interpersonal Communication 12

VII. Needs and Goals of Interpersonal Communication 13

VIII. Doing Communication Research: 13

IX. Issues in Interpersonal Communication 13

X. Learning Interpersonal Communication 14

Practice 15

I. Opening Story: Starting the Discussion 15

II. Terms 16

III. Names 17

IV. Recap Questions 18

V. Self-Reflection Items 18

VI. Creative Assignment 19

VII. Extra Credit: Quiz 24

Chapter 2. Considering Self 25

Theory 25

I. Components of Self 25

II. Sources of Self 26

III. Presenting Your Self 28

IV. Social Penetration Theory 29

V. The Johari Window 29

VI. Self Disclosure 29

Practice 31

I. Opening Story: Starting the Discussion 31

II. Terms 32

III. Names 32

IV. Recap Questions 33

V. Self-Reflection Items 33

VI. Creative Assignment 34

VII. Extra Credit: Quiz 39

Chapter 3. Perceiving Others 40

Theory 40

I. Perception as a Process 40

II. Creating Explanations 41

III. Experiencing Uncertainty 41

IV. Influences on Perception 41

V. Impression formation 42

VI. Algebraic Impression (Weight of Belief) 43

VII. Stereotyping 43

VIII. Improving Perceptions 44

Practice 45

I. Opening Story: Starting the Discussion 45

II. Terms 46

III. Names 47

IV. Recap Questions 47

V. Self-Reflection Items 47

VI. Creative Assignment 49

VII. Extra Credit: Quiz 53

Chapter 4. Experiencing and Expressing Emotions 55

Theory 55

I. Defining Emotions 55

II. Communicating Emotions 55

III. Types of Emotions 55

IV. Forces Shaping Emotions 56

V. Managing Your Emotional Expression 57

VI. Online Communication and Emotion 57

VI. Anger 58

VII. Passion 58

VIII. Grief 59

Practice 60

I. Opening Story: Starting the Discussion 60

II. Terms 61

III. Names 61

IV. Recap Questions 62

V. Self-Reflection Items 62

VI. Creative Assignment 63

VII. Extra Credit: Quiz 67

COLLOQUIUM 1: The Game 69

Chapter 5. Listening Actively 70

Theory 70

I. Reasons Why We Don’t Listen 70

II. Stages of Listening 70

III. Functions of Listening 71

IV. Listening Styles 71

V. Gender Differences in Listening Styles 72

VI. Culture and Listening 72

VII. Preventing Ineffective Listening 72

VII. Dialogic Listening 73

Practice 75

I. Opening Story: Starting the Discussion 75

II. Terms 76

III. Names 76

IV. Recap Questions 77

V. Self-Reflection Items 77

VI. Creative Assignment 78

VII. Extra Credit: Quiz 82

Chapter 6. Communicating Verbally 84

Theory 84

I. Characteristics of Verbal Communication 84

II. Functions of Verbal Communication 84

III. Cooperative Verbal Communication 85

IV. Barriers to Cooperative Verbal Communication 86

V. Conversation Analysis Short Course 87

Practice 89

I. Opening Story: Starting the Discussion 89

II. Terms 90

III. Names 91

IV. Recap Questions 91

V. Self-Reflection Items 92

VI. Creative Assignment 93

VII. Extra Credit: Quiz 96

Chapter 7. Communicating Nonverbally 98

Theory 98

I. Principles of Nonverbal Communication 98

II. Nonverbal Communication Codes: 98

III. Nonverbal behavior classification according to Bill Ausmus and Joseph DeVito 99

IV. Kinesics 99

V. Vocalics 100

VI. Haptics (Tactilics) 100

VII. Proxemics 100

VIII. Chronemics 101

IX. Physical Appearance 101

X. Communicating Through Objects 102

XI. Communicating through the Environment 102

XI. Olfactory Communication 102

XII. Functions of Nonverbal Communication 103

XIII. Responsibly Managing Our Nonverbal Communication 103

Practice 104

I. Opening Story: Starting the Discussion 104

II. Terms 105

III. Names 105

IV. Recap Questions 106

V. Self-Reflection Items 106

VI. Creative Assignment 107

VII. Extra Credit: Quiz 111

Chapter 8. Developing Interpersonal Competence 113

Theory 113

I. What is Interpersonal Competence? 113

II. Improving Communication Competence 114

III. Using Rhetorical Messages 114

IV. Improving Your Competence Online 114

V. What is Intercultural Competence? 115

VI. Preventing Intercultural Incompetence 116

Practice 118

I. Opening Story: Starting the Discussion 118

II. Terms 119

III. Names 119

IV. Recap Questions 120

V. Self-Reflection Items 120

VI. Creative Assignment 121

VII. Extra Credit: Quiz 125

Chapter 9. Managing Conflict and Power 127

Theory 127

I. What is Conflict? 127

II. Conflict in Relationships 127

III. Power and Conflict 128

IV. Power Currencies 128

V. Power and Culture 129

VI. Power and Gender 129

VII. Conflict Handling Styles 129

VIII. Barriers to Constructive Conflict 130

IX. Conflict Resolutions and Outcomes 131

X. Influence of Gender, Culture and Technology on Conflict 131

Practice 134

I. Opening Story: Starting the Discussion 134

II. Terms 135

III. Names 136

IV. Recap Questions 136

V. Self-Reflection Items 136

VI. Creative Assignment 138

VII. Extra Credit: Quiz 141

COLLOQUIUM 2. THE PROBLEM 143

Chapter 10. Relationships with Romantic Partners 144

Theory I. Defining Romantic Relationships 144

II. Key Elements of Romantic Relationships 144

III. Influences on Romantic Attraction 145

IV. Technology and Romantic Attraction 145

V. Stages of Romantic Relationships According to Mark Knapp 145

VI. Maintaining Romantic Relationships 146

VII. Dark Side of Romantic Relationships 148

Practice 150

I. Opening Story: Starting the Discussion 150

II. Terms 151

III. Names 151

IV. Recap Questions 152

V. Self-Reflection Items 152

VI. Creative Assignment 153

VII. Extra Credit: Quiz 157

Chapter 11. Relationships with Family and Friends 159

Theory 159

I. Defining Family 159

II. Types of Families 159

III. Communication Patterns in Family 160

IV. Maintaining Family Relationships 160

V. Dealing with Family Tensions 161

VI. Defining Friendship 162

VII. Different Types of Friendships 162

VIII. Gender and Friendship 163

Practice 165

I. Opening Story: Starting the Discussion 165

II. Terms 166

III. Names 166

IV. Recap Questions 167

V. Self-Reflection Items 167

VI. Creative Assignment 168

VII. Extra Credit: Quiz 172

Chapter 12. Relationships in the Workplace 174

Theory 174

I. Defining Workplace Relationships 174

II. Workplace Culture 174

III. Supportive and Defensive Organizational Climate 175

IV. Maintaining Peer Relationships 176

V. Maintaining Mixed Status Relationships 176

VI. Workplace Abuse 176

Practice 178

I. Opening Story: Starting the Discussion 178

II. Terms 179

III. Names 179

IV. Recap Questions 180

V. Self-Reflection Items 180

VI. Creative Assignment 181

VII. Extra Credit: Quiz 186

COLLOQUIUM 3: THE PAPER 187