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Psychology 2035 > Chapter 8 - Interpersonal Communication > Flashcards

Chapter 8 - Interpersonal Communication Flashcards

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1
Q

What is interpersonal communication?

A

An interactional process in which one person sends a message to another

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2
Q

What are three facts about interpersonal communication?

A

It involves at least two people, it is a process involving a series of actions, it is not one-way, but bi-directional

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3
Q

What are six components of the communication process (1)?

A

The sender - person who initiates the message

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4
Q

(2)

A

The receiver - person to who the message is targeted

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5
Q

(3)

A

The message - the information or meaning that is transmitted from the sender to the receiver

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6
Q

(4)

A

The channel - refers to the sensory channel through which the message reaches the receiver

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7
Q

(5)

A

The noise - any stimulus that interferes with accurately expressing or understanding a message

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8
Q

(6)

A

The context - environment in which communication takes place

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9
Q

What is electronically mediated communication?

A

Interpersonal communication that takes place via technology

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10
Q

What are three basic rules of etiquette for cell use?

A

Quiet your phone when it will disturb others, keep call short, and keep calls out of earshot of others

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11
Q

What five important ways do face to face and electronic communication differ from each other?

A

Physical distance, Anonymity, Richness of communication, visual cues and time

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12
Q

What is the primary benefit of social networking sites (SNS)?

A

Being able to present yourself virtually to an online community, especially for shy individuals who may not reach out otherwise

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13
Q

What is a downside to SNS?

A

One risks loss of privacy if they are not careful and studies show student posts have prevented them from getting jobs

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14
Q

What two things does Lewis et al. (2008) state?

A

Students’ privacy settings are most similar to those of their close friends/room mates, and females are also more likely to maintain more privacy online

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15
Q

In terms of communication and adjustment, what three things can be said about communication (1)?

A

Effective communication is essential for many important aspects of life

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16
Q

(2)

A

Good communication enhances satisfaction in relationships

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17
Q

(3)

A

Poor communication is a major cause of relationship breakups

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18
Q

What is nonverbal communication?

A

The transmission of meaning from one person to another through means of symbols other than words

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19
Q

Why is it important to recognize general principles of nonverbal communication?

A

A great deal of information is conveyed in this manner

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20
Q

What are the five general principles of nonverbal communication (1)?

A

It conveys emotions: facial expressions and body posture can convey how we feel without words

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21
Q

(2)

A

It is multi-channeled: we use facial expressions, gestures, eye contact, vocal tone, and body language

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22
Q

(3)

A

It is ambiguous: body language can be difficult to interpret

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23
Q

(4)

A

It may contradict verbal messages: we may say one thing, but out body conveys something different

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24
Q

(5)

A

It is culture bound: nonverbal signals vary from one culture to another

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25
Q

What are the elements of nonverbal communication?

A

Personal space, facial expression, eye contact, body language, touch, paralanguage

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26
Q

What is proxemics?

A

The study of personal space

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27
Q

What is personal space?

A

A zone of space surrounding a person that is felt to belong to that person

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28
Q

What does preference for amount of personal space depend on (3 things)?

A

Culture, status of the individuals involved and how well you know the person

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29
Q

What do facial expressions convey?

A

Basic emotions recognized by people around the world

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30
Q

What may be a 7th distinct facial expression?

A

Anxiety - occurs in ambiguous situations where perceived threats are unclear

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31
Q

What does a consensus across cultures to be able to recognize facial expressions suggest?

A

That the facial expressions associated with certain emotions may have a biological basis

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32
Q

What are display rules?

A

Culture specific norms that govern the expression of emotion

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33
Q

What is the observed gender difference in expression of emotion?

A

Most males show less expression than females

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34
Q

What is the most meaningful aspect of eye contact?

A

Its duration

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35
Q

What are high levels of eye contact among European Americans associated with?

A

Effective social skills and credibility

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36
Q

How can eye contact be perceived differently from European American culture?

A

In other cultures such as Native American Tribes, eye contact is judged as offensive

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37
Q

What does eye contact also convey?

A

Intensity of feelings

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38
Q

What feelings does eye contact convey in a positive context (e.g. romantic partners)?

A

Long gazes signal loving feelings

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39
Q

What feelings does eye contact convey in a negative context (e.g. road rage)?

A

Long gazes are interpreted as stares and they make people uncomfortable

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40
Q

What can eye contact (visual dominance) be affected by?

A

Status and gender

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41
Q

How does status and gender affect visual dominance?

A

Visual dominance seems to be more of a function of status than gender, because role reverse depending on the status rather than if you are male or female

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42
Q

What is kinesics?

A

The study of communication through body movements

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43
Q

What types of body movements are used for communication?

A

Open posture, closed posture, and hand gestures

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44
Q

What does an open posture (e.g. arms uncrossed and down at sides) convey?

A

A relaxed state

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45
Q

What does a closed posture (e.g. arms crossed) convey?

A

Defensiveness or tension

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46
Q

What do hand gestures emphasize?

A

The words we speak

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47
Q

How does touch relate to communication?

A

Where and whom we touch conveys a variety of meanings, especially status and power

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48
Q

What are three facts about touch (1)?

A

There are strong norms that govern where we touch friends

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49
Q

(2)

A

Female-female paris touch more often than do male-male pairs

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50
Q

(3)

A

Cross-gender touch is interpreted as support by females, but as power or sexual interest by males

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51
Q

What is paralanguage?

A

Includes all vocal cues other than the content of the verbal message itself

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52
Q

What types of variations in paralanguage can there be?

A

Variations in vocal emphasis and variations in speech

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53
Q

What can variations in vocal emphasis do?

A

Give different meanings to the same words

54
Q

What can variations in speech do?

A

Convey emotions (e.g. rapid speech indicates anxiety of excitement)

55
Q

What happens when people detect deception?

A

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

56
Q

What are three examples of this phenomenon (1)?

A

Liars often say less, not more

57
Q

(2)

A

Liars are not necessarily good storytellers and include less unusual content in stories

58
Q

(3)

A

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

59
Q

What is nonverbal sensitivity?

A

The ability to accurately encode (express) and decode (understand) nonverbal cues

60
Q

What is true about women and nonverbal sensitivity?

A

Women tend to be better encoders and decoders but this may stem from higher motivation, so anyone may be able to improve their nonverbal skills

61
Q

What are the five steps for making successful small talk (1)?

A

Indicate that you are open to conversation by commenting on your surroundings

62
Q

(2)

A

Introduce yourself

63
Q

(3)

A

Select a topic that others can relate to

64
Q

(4)

A

Keep the conversation ball rolling

65
Q

(5)

A

Make a smooth exit

66
Q

What is self-disclosure?

A

The act of sharing information about yourself with another person

67
Q

What four reasons is self-disclosure important to adjustment (1)?

A

Sharing problems with others plays a key role in mental health

68
Q

(2)

A

Self-disclosure helps build relationships

69
Q

(3)

A

Emotional self-disclosures lead to feelings of closeness

70
Q

(4)

A

Self-disclosure in romantic relationships is associated with relationship satisfaction

71
Q

What do people tell and not tell others about themselves?

A

People do recount stories about themselves, but they are not likely to disclose social transgressions to others

72
Q

How does self-disclosure vary over the course of a relationship?

A

At the beginning there are high levels of mutual self-disclosure which taper off as the relationship becomes more established

73
Q

How does disclosure work in established relationships?

A

Disclosures are not necessarily reciprocated

74
Q

For what two reasons does movement away from reciprocal self-disclosures occur in established relationships (1)?

A

There is more of a need for support than a reciprocal disclosure from the other person

75
Q

(2)

A

The need for privacy outweighs the need for mutual self-disclosure

76
Q

How do personal self-disclosures differ in different cultures?

A

They occur more in individualistic cultures, whereas disclosures about one’s group membership are the norm in collectivist cultures

77
Q

How do personal disclosures differ between genders?

A

Females tend to disclose more than males, and this trend is strongest within same gender friendships

78
Q

What are four tips for effective listening (1)?

A

Signal your interest in the speaker by using nonverbal cues

79
Q

(2)

A

Hear the other person out before you respond

80
Q

(3)

A

Engage in “active listening”

81
Q

(4)

A

Pay attention to the other’s nonverbal cues

82
Q

What four types of nonverbal cues can you use to signal your interest in the speaker when practicing effective listening?

A

Face the speaker squarely, learn toward him or her, try not to cross arms and legs, maintain eye contact

83
Q

In what two ways can you engage in active listening?

A

Asking for clarification if information is ambiguous, and paraphrasing what the person said by restating the speaker’s main points to ensure you have interpreted correctly

84
Q

What is communication apprehension?

A

Anxiety caused by having to talk with others

85
Q

What four responses followed communication apprehension (1)?

A

Avoidance - choosing not to participate

86
Q

(2)

A

Withdrawal - clamming up in conversation you cannot escape

87
Q

(3)

A

Disruption - the inability to make fluent statements

88
Q

(4)

A

Over-communication - e.g. nervous speech

89
Q

What are four barriers to effective communication (1)?

A

Defensiveness - excessive concern with protecting oneself from being hurt

90
Q

(2)

A

Ambushing - listening carefully only to then verbally attack the speaker

91
Q

(3)

A

Motivational distortion - hearing what you want to hear

92
Q

(4)

A

Self-preoccupation - being so self-absorbed the other person cannot equally participate

93
Q

What is a common belief about conflict?

A

Most people believe any kind of conflict is bad

94
Q

In actuality, what is a problem if conflict is avoided?

A

Avoiding conflict is usually counterproductive and leads to a self-perpetuating cycle

95
Q

Instead of avoiding conflict, what is better to do?

A

To confront conflicts constructively so that issues can be aired and resolved

96
Q

What are five steps of the self-perpetuating cycle if conflict is avoided (1)?

A

People think of conflict as bad

97
Q

(2)

A

They get nervous about a conflict they are experiencing

98
Q

(3)

A

They avoid the conflict as long as possible

99
Q

(4)

A

The conflict gets out of control and must be confronted

100
Q

(5)

A

They handle the confrontation badly

101
Q

What does the conflict avoidance cycle lead to?

A

Negative experiences sets the stage for avoiding conflict the next time, which would usually produce the same negative outcome

102
Q

What two dimensions underlie five distinct patterns for managing conflict?

A

Concern for self and concern for others

103
Q

What are the five distinct patterns for managing conflict (1)?

A

Avoiding/withdrawing (low concern for self and others)

104
Q

(2)

A

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

105
Q

(3)

A

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

106
Q

(4)

A

Compromising (moderate concern for self and others)

107
Q

(5)

A

Collaborating (high concern for self and others)

108
Q

How does collaborating differ from compromising?

A

While compromising simply involves splitting the difference, collaborating involves finding solution that is maximally satisfying to both parties

109
Q

What are the nine ways of dealing with conflict (1)?

A

Make communication honest and open

110
Q

(2)

A

Exhibit trust

111
Q

(3)

A

Use specific behaviour to describe another person’s annoying habits rather than general statements about their personality

112
Q

(4)

A

Avoid loaded words

113
Q

(5)

A

Try using “grace” - honouring other’s needs

114
Q

(6)

A

Use a positive approach and help the other person “save face”

115
Q

(7)

A

Limit complaints to recent behaviour and to the current situation

116
Q

(8)

A

Assume responsibility for your own feelings and preferences

117
Q

(9)

A

Try to use an assertive communication style

118
Q

What is assertiveness?

A

Involves acting in your own best interests by expressing your thoughts and feeling directly and honestly

119
Q

What does submissive communication involve?

A

Giving in

120
Q

What do individuals who use submissive communication report?

A

Feeling bad about being pushovers

121
Q

How does aggressive communication differ from assertiveness?

A

It focuses no saying and getting what you want at the expense of others

122
Q

How is assertive communication regarded in comparison to submissive or aggressive communication?

A

It is more adaptive and is a skill that can be learned through assertiveness training

123
Q

What are the five steps in assertiveness training (1)?

A

Understand what assertive communication is - don’t forget about non verbal cues

124
Q

(2)

A

Monitor you assertive communication - identify when you are not assertive, find out who intimidates you, on what topics and in which situations

125
Q

(3)

A

Observe a models assertive communication

126
Q

(4)

A

Practice assertive communication

127
Q

What two ways can you practice assertive communication?

A

Covert rehearsal and role playing

128
Q

What does covert rehearsal involve?

A

Imagine using assertiveness in a situation that requires it

129
Q

What does role playing involve?

A

Ask a friend to play the role of an antagonist so you can practice

130
Q

(5)

A

Adopt an assertive attitude

Psychology 2035 (8 decks)

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