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Interpersonal Communication: The Whole Story

by Floyd, Kory

Publisher: McGraw-Hill Higher Education

Publishing Date: 2009/10/08

eText ISBN-10

0-07-728579-4

eText ISBN-13

978-0-07-728579-1

Print ISBN-10

0-07-340664-3

Print ISBN-13

978-0-07-340664-0

Saleable Print ISBN-10

0-07-340664-3

Saleable Print ISBN-13

978-0-07-340664-0

Table of Contents

Interview with the Author, xiii

1. About Communication, 3

Why Do We Communicate?, 5

Communication Meets Physical Needs, 5

Communication Meets Relational Needs, 7

Communication Fills Identity Needs, 8

Communication Meets Spiritual Needs, 9

Communication Serves Instrumental Needs, 9

Reflect on It, 10

The Nature of Communication, 11

Three Models of Human Communication, 11

Six Characteristics of Communication, 15

Dispelling Some Communication Myths, 20

Reflect on It, 24

How Do We Communicate Interpersonally?, 24

What Makes Communication Interpersonal?, 24

Why Interpersonal Communication Matters, 27

Reflect on It, 28

Building Your Communication Competence, 29

What Does Communicating Competently Mean?, 29

Characteristics of Competent Communicators, 30

Reflect on It, 33

Master the Chapter, 34

Chapter Outline and Summary, 34

Discussion Questions, 36

Practice Quiz, 36

Research Library, 37

2. Culture and Gender, 39

Understanding Culture and Communication, 41

What Is a Culture?, 41

The Components of Culture, 44

Cultures and Co-Cultures, 45

Communicating with Cultural Awareness, 46

Reflect on It, 47

How Culture Affects Communication, 47

Individualism and Collectivism, 48

High-and Low-Context Cultures, 49

Low-and High-Power Distance, 50

Masculine and Feminine Cultures, 51

Monochronic and Polychronic Cultures, 52

Uncertainty Avoidance, 52

Cultural Communication Codes, 53

Reflect on It, 55

Understanding Gender and Communication, 55

Gender Roles and Communication, 56

Biological Sex and Communication, 60

Sexual Orientation and Communication, 61

Some Explanations for Gendered Communication, 63

Reflect on It, 65

How Gender Affects Communication, 66

Gender and Verbal Communication, 67

Gender and Nonverbal Communication, 71

Reflect on It, 74

Master the Chapter, 75

Chapter Outline and Summary, 75

Discussion Questions, 77

Practice Quiz, 77

Research Library, 79

3. Communication and the Self, 81

Understanding the Self: Your Self-Concept, 83

What Is a Self-Concept?, 83

How a Self-Concept Develops, 86

Awareness and Management of the Self-Concept, 91

Reflect on It, 94

Valuing the Self: Self-Esteem, 94

Benefits and Drawbacks of Self-Esteem, 94

Culture, Sex, and Self-Esteem, 98

The Self and Interpersonal Needs, 98

Reflect on It, 100

Presenting the Self: Image Management, 100

Principles of Image Management, 100

Managing Face Needs, 104

Reflect on It, 106

Communicating the Self: Self-Disclosure, 107

Principles of Self-Disclosure, 107

Benefits of Self-Disclosure, 112

Risks of Self-Disclosure, 114

Reflect on It, 116

Master the Chapter, 116

Chapter Outline and Summary, 116

Discussion Questions, 118

Practice Quiz, 118

Research Library, 119

4. Interpersonal Perception, 121

Perception is a Process, 123

What Is Interpersonal Perception?, 123

Three Stages of the Perception Process, 123

What Influences Our Perceptual Accuracy?, 127

Reflect on It, 131

Fundamental Forces in Interpersonal Perception, 132

Stereotyping Relies on Generalizations, 133

The Primacy Effect Governs First Impressions, 134

The Recency Effect Influences Impressions, 136

Our Perceptual Set Limits What We Perceive, 137

Egocentrism Narrows Our Perspective, 140

Positivity and Negativity Biases Affect Perception, 140

Reflect on It, 142

How We Explain What We Perceive, 143

We Explain Behavior Through Attributions, 143

How to Recognize Common Attribution Errors, 144

Reflect on It, 148

Improving Your Perceptual Abilities, 150

Be Mindful of Your Perceptions, 151

Check Your Perceptions, 153

Reflect on It, 158

Master the Chapter, 158

Chapter Outline and Summary, 158

Discussion Questions, 160

Practice Quiz, 160

Research Library, 161

5. Language, 163

The Nature of Language, 165

Language Is Symbolic, 166

Language Is Arbitrary (Mostly), 167

Language Is Governed by Rules, 167

Language Has Layers of Meaning, 168

Language Varies in Clarity, 170

Language Is Bound by Context and Culture, 172

Reflect on It, 173

Appreciating the Power of Words, 174

Naming Defines and Differentiates Us, 175

We Use Words to Persuade, 177

Credibility Empowers Us, 179

Language Expresses Affection and Intimacy, 182

Words Provide Comfort and Healing, 184

Reflect on It, 185

How We Use and Abuse Language, 186

Humor: What’s So Funny?, 186

Euphemisms: Soft Talk, 187

Slang: The Language of Subcultures, 188

Libel and Slander: Harmful Words, 189

Profanity: Offensive Language, 190

Hate Speech: Profanity with a Hurtful Purpose, 190

Reflect on It, 192

Improving Your Language Use, 193

Consider the Effect You Wish to Create, 193

Separate Opinions from Factual Claims, 195

Speak at an Appropriate Level, 197

Own Your Thoughts and Feelings, 198

Reflect on It, 201

Master the Chapter, 201

Chapter Outline and Summary, 201

Discussion Questions, 203

Practice Quiz, 203

Research Library, 203

6. Nonverbal Communication, 207

The Nature of Nonverbal Communication, 209

What is Nonverbal Communication?, 209

Five Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication, 210

Reflect on It, 217

Ten Channels of Nonverbal Communication, 218

Facial Displays, 218

Eye Behaviors, 221

Movement and Gestures, 222

Touch Behaviors, 224

Vocal Behaviors, 226

The Use of Smell, 229

The Use of Space, 230

Physical Appearance, 232

The Use of Time, 233

The Use of Artifacts, 233

Reflect on It, 235

Functions of Nonverbal Communication, 235

Managing Conversations, 235

Expressing Emotions, 237

Maintaining Relationships, 238

Forming Impressions, 239

Influencing Others, 242

Concealing Information, 244

Reflect on It, 246

Improving Your Nonverbal Communication Skills, 247

Interpreting Nonverbal Communication, 247

Expressing Nonverbal Messages, 249

Reflect on It, 250

Master the Chapter, 251

Chapter Outline and Summary, 251

Discussion Questions, 254

Practice Quiz, 254

Research Library, 255

7. Listening, 257

The Nature of Listening, 259

What Is Listening?, 259

The Importance of Listening Effectively, 260

Some Misconceptions About Listening, 262

Culture Affects Listening Behavior, 263

Reflect on It, 264

Ways of Listening, 264

Stages of Effective Listening, 264

Three Types of Listening, 267

Reflect on It, 269

Common Barriers to Effective Listening, 269

Pseudolistening and Selective Attention, 271

Information Overload, 272

Glazing Over, 273

Rebuttal Tendency, 274

Closed-Mindedness, 274

Competitive Interrupting, 275

Reflect on It, 277

Becoming a Better Listener, 277

Becoming a Better Informational Listener, 278

Becoming a Better Critical Listener, 278

Becoming a Better Empathic Listener, 282

Reflect on It, 285

Master the Chapter, 285

Chapter Outline and Summary, 285

Discussion Questions, 287

Practice Quiz, 287

Research Library, 289

8. Interpersonal Communication in Social Relationships, 291

Why Social Relationships Matter, 293

We Form Relationships Because We Need to Belong, 293

Social Relationships Bring Rewards, 294

Social Relationships Carry Costs as Well as Rewards, 296

Reflect on It, 297

Forming and Maintaining Social Bonds, 297

Attraction Theory, 297

Uncertainty Reduction Theory, 302

Predicted Outcome Value Theory, 302

Understanding Relationship Formation, 303

Theories About Costs and Benefits, 304

Relational Maintenance Behaviors, 308

Understanding Relationship Maintenance, 310

Reflect on It, 311

Characteristics of Friendships, 311

Friendships Are Voluntary, 311

Friends Are Usually Peers, 312

Friendships Are Governed by Rules, 313

Friendships Differ by Sex, 313

Friendships Have a Life Span, 315

Reflect on It, 319

Social Relationships in the Workplace, 319

Social Relationships with Co-Workers, 320

Social Relationships Between Superiors and Subordinates, 321

Social Relationships with Clients, 322

Reflect on It, 324

Master the Chapter, 325

Chapter Outline and Summary, 325

Discussion Questions, 326

Practice Quiz, 326

Research Library, 329

9. Intimate Relationships, 331

The Nature of Intimate Relationships, 333

Intimate Relationships Require Deep Commitment, 333

Intimate Relationships Foster Interdependence, 333

Intimate Relationships Require Continuous Investment, 335

Intimate Relationships Spark Dialectical Tensions, 335

Reflect on It, 337

Communicating in Romantic Relationships, 338

Characteristics of Romantic Relationships, 338

Forming Romantic Relationships Is a Process, 342

Interpersonal Communication in Romantic Relationships, 346

Ending Romantic Relationships Is a Process, 351

Reflect on It, 354

Communicating in Families, 354

What Makes a Family a Family?, 355

Types of Families, 356

The Family as a System, 358

Communication Issues in Families, 359

Reflect on It, 362

Improving Communication in Intimate Relationships, 362

Emphasize Excitement and Positivity, 362

Handle Conflict Constructively, 364

Have Realistic Expectations, 365

Manage Dialectical Tensions, 365

Reflect on It, 367

Master the Chapter, 368

Chapter Outline and Summary, 368

Discussion Questions, 370

Practice Quiz, 370

Research Library, 371

10. Interpersonal Conflict, 373

What is Interpersonal Conflict?, 375

Defining Interpersonal Conflict, 375

Thinking About Interpersonal Conflict, 376

Reflect on It, 378

Conflict in Personal Relationships, 378

Characteristics of Interpersonal Conflict, 378

The Most Common Sources of Conflict, 383

How Sex and Gender Affect Conflict, 385

How Culture Affects Conflict, 386

Conflict Online, 387

Reflect on It, 388

Power and Conflict, 388

Some Characteristics of Power, 388

Forms of Power, 390

Sex, Gender, and Power, 392

Culture and Power, 394

Reflect on It, 395

Managing Interpersonal Conflict, 395

Problematic Behaviors During Conflict, 395

Strategies for Managing Conflict Successfully, 397

Reflect on It, 400

Master the Chapter, 402

Chapter Outline and Summary, 402

Discussion Questions, 404

Practice Quiz, 404

Research Library, 405

11. Deceptive Communication, 407

The Nature of Interpersonal Deception, 409

What Is Deception?, 410

The Basic Elements of Deception, 412

Interpersonal Deception Is Common, 413

Reflect on It, 415

Deceptive Acts are Diverse, 415

Some Reasons Why People Deceive, 415

Some Deceptive Acts Are Acts of Simulation, 417

Some Deceptive Acts Are Acts of Dissimulation, 417

Reflect on It, 419

Communication Behaviors and Deception, 419

Detecting Deception Is Difficult, 419

Some Behaviors Are Common During Acts of Deception, 420

Reflect on It, 424

Detecting Lies in Different Contexts, 424

Familiarity Affects Detection Success, 424

Expressive People Are Better Liars, 424

Culture Matters, but Only Sometimes, 425

Motivation Doesn’t Always Help, 426

Suspicion May Not Improve Detection Ability, 426

Noninteractive Contexts Are Best for Detection, 427

Reflect on It, 428

Master the Chapter, 428

Chapter Outline and Summary, 428

Discussion Questions, 430

Practice Quiz, 430

Research Library, 431

12. Emotion, 433

Emotion in Interpersonal Communication, 435

What Is an Emotion?, 435

Joyful/Affectionate Emotions: Happiness, Love, Passion, and Liking, 436

Hostile Emotions: Anger, Contempt, Disgust, Jealousy, and Envy, 438

Sad/Anxious Emotions: Sadness, Depression, Grief, Fear, and Social Anxiety, 441

Reflect on It, 443

The Nature of Emotion, 443

Emotions Are Multidimensional, 444

Emotions Vary in Valence and Intensity, 446

Emotions Come in Primary and Secondary Forms, 447

Sometimes Emotions Are Meta-Emotions, 449

Reflect on It, 450

Influences on Emotional Experience and Expression, 450

Display Rules, 451

Technology, 452

Emotional Contagion, 453

Sex and Gender, 453

Personality, 455

Emotional Intelligence, 456

Reflect on It, 457

Emotional Communication Skills, 458

Identifying Emotions, 458

Reappraising Negative Emotions, 460

Accepting Responsibility for Emotions, 460

Separating Emotions from Actions, 461

Reflect on It, 461

Master the Chapter, 462

Chapter Outline and Summary, 462

Discussion Questions, 464

Practice Quiz, 464

Research Library, 465

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