Psychology applied to modern life adjustment in the 21st century, 11e chapter 8

Interpersonal Communication, continued• Components of the communication process to the receiver”... Nonverbal Communication, continued• Nonverbal communication – “is the transmission of

Chapter 8 Interpersonal Communication

• Interpersonal communication is “an interactional process in which one

person sends a message to another.”

Interpersonal Communication, continued

• Components of the communication process

to the receiver”

• Components, continued

reaches the receiver”

understanding a message”

Technology and Interpersonal Communication

• Electronically mediated communication “is interpersonal communication that takes

places via technology”

• Effective communication is essential for many important aspects of life.

Nonverbal Communication, continued

• Nonverbal communication – “is the transmission of meaning from one person to

another through means or symbols other than words”

recognize the general principles of nonverbal communication

• General principles of nonverbal communication

feel without words

tone, and body language

Nonverbal Communication, continued

General principles, continued

conveys something different

1. Personal space

• Proxemics - “the study of personal space”.

• Personal space – “a zone of space surrounding a person that is felt to ‘belong’ to

that person”

Figure 8.4 Interpersonal distance zones According to Edward Hall (1996), people like to keep a certain amount of distance between themselves and others The distance that

makes one feel comfortable depends on with whom one is interacting and the nature of the situation.

showing less expression than do females.

Elements, continued

3. Eye contact

nonverbal communication

effective social skills and credibility

American tribes)

Eye contact, continued

feelings, but

and they make people uncomfortable

Figure 8.6 Visual dominance, status, and gender Women typically show low visual dominance (see control condition) because they are usually accorded lower status than men

(Dovidio, et al 1988) However, when researchers placed women in a high-power position and measured their visual behavior, women showed the high visual dominance pattern, and men showed the low visual dominance pattern When men were placed in the high-power position, the visual dominance patterns reversed Thus, visual dominance seems to be more a function of status than of gender.

4. Body language

• Kinesics – “the study of communication through body movements”.

relaxed state

Elements, continued

5. Touch

and power

sexual interest by males

Elements, continued

Detecting deception

• Nonverbal cues that actually indicate deception are often different from those most people believe

indicate deception (see Figure 8.9).

• For example:

• Liars often say less, not more.

• Liars are not necessarily good “storytellers” and include less unusual content in stories.

• Liars are more tense and make a more negative impression on the listener.

The Significance of Nonverbal Communication

• Nonverbal sensitivity – “the ability to accurately encode (express) and decode

(understand) nonverbal cues”

• Conversation skills: five steps for making successful “small talk”

More Effective Communication, continued

• Self-disclosure – “the act of sharing information about yourself with another person” is

important to adjustment for several reasons

Self-disclosure, continued

• Reducing the risks of self disclosure

More Effective Communication, continued

Self-disclosure, continued

• Self-disclosure and relationship development

taper off as the relationship becomes established

Relationship development, continued

occurs for two reasons:

the other person

More Effective Communication, continued

Self-disclosure, continued

• Culture, gender, and self-disclosure

disclosures about one’s group membership are the norm in collectivist cultures

same-gender friendships

• Tips for effective listening

More Effective Communication, continued

Tips for effective listening, continued

ensure you have interpreted correctly

• LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Communication Problems, continued

• Communication apprehension – “or anxiety caused by having to talk with others” is

usually followed by one of four responses:

• Barriers to effective communication

1. Defensiveness – “excessive concern with protecting oneself from being hurt”.

2. Ambushing – listening carefully only to then verbally attack the speaker.

3. Motivational distortion – hearing what you want to hear.

4. Self-preoccupation – being so self-absorbed the other person cannot equally

participate

Interpersonal Conflict, continued

• Beliefs about conflict

self-perpetuating cycle (see Figure 8.12)

resolved

Interpersonal Conflict, continued

• Five types of conflict

1. Pseudoconflict – false conflict from game playing.

2. Fact-based conflict – disagreement about factual issues.

3. Policy conflict – disagreement about how to handle a situation.

4. Value-based conflict – disagreement that occurs when people hold opposing

values

5. Ego-based conflict – emphasis on winning over resolving the conflict.

• Styles of managing conflict

patterns of managing conflict (see Figure 8.14)

1. Avoiding/withdrawing (low concern for self and others).

2. Accommodating (low concern for self, high concern for others).

3. Competing/forcing (high concern for self, low concern for others).

Figure 8.14 Five styles of handling interpersonal conflict In dealing with discord, individuals typically prefer one of five styles The two dimensions of concern for self and concern

for others underlie each of the five styles.

Styles of managing conflict, continued:

4. Compromising (moderate concern for self and others).

5. Collaborating (high concern for self and others).

involves finding a solution that is maximally satisfying to both parties.

Interpersonal Conflict, continued

• Dealing constructively with conflict

general statements about their personality

Dealing constructively with conflict, continued

Developing an Assertive Style, continued

• The nature of assertiveness

– Assertiveness – “involves acting in your own best interests by expressing your

thoughts and feelings directly and honestly”

The nature of assertiveness, continued

– Aggressive communication is different from assertiveness and “focuses on

saying and getting what you want at the expense of others”.

communication, and is a skill that can be learned through assertiveness training.

Developing an Assertive Style, continued

• Steps in assertiveness training:

topics, and in which situations.

Steps in assertiveness training, continued

• Covert rehearsal – imagine using assertiveness in a situation that requires