Interpersonal Communication

Question 1

Define interpersonal communication

Answer 1

the process of managing messages to create meaning in interactions and relationships

Question 2

Name and define the 2 types of interpersonal communication

Answer 2

Symmetrical - people respond to one another in the same way

Complementary - people respond to one another in opposing ways

Question 3

Name the characteristics of interpersonal relationships (3)

Answer 3

Interdependence
Consistent patterns of interaction
Interaction for an extended period of time

Question 4

What needs are satisfied by interpersonal relationships? (3)

Answer 4

Inclusion
Caring
Control

Question 5

Distinguish between repertoire and roles, and between breadth and depth (4)

Answer 5

Repertoire - set of roles a person is capable of playing

Roles - patterns/style of statements and behaviours a person performs

Breadth - diverse types and ranges of roles one can play

Depth - how familiar one is with a given role

Question 6

What is a script?
What are its characteristics? (3)

Answer 6

a chain of events expected to happen sequentially which serves as a guide for behaviour and interaction

• complex
• flexible
• affected by rules and norms

Question 7

Distinguish between empathy, sympathy, and perspective-taking

Answer 7

Empathy - ability to experience feelings of another person

Sympathy - desire to offer support to another

Perspective-taking - seeing the world cognitively as others see it

Question 8

Name the characteristics of narcissism (3)

Answer 8

• interrupting others
• no perspective-taking
• initially seen as charismatic

Question 9

Distinguish between self-disclosure, confession, and revelation

Answer 9

Self-disclosure - voluntary
Confession - forced/coerced
Revelation - unintentional

Question 10

Which usually occurs first when establishing an interpersonal relationship: positive/negative self-disclosure?

Answer 10

Positive self-disclosure

Question 11

Name Baxter’s Dialect Tensions

Answer 11

Integration - separation
Stability - change
Expression - privacy

Question 12

What is defensiveness caused by in relationships? (6)

Answer 12

Evaluation (judgement)
Control
Neutrality (indifferent to other’s feelings)
Superiority
Certainty (close mindedness)
Strategy (manipulation)

Question 13

What are factors that help relationships thrive? (5)

Answer 13

• Description as opposed to evaluation
• Provisionalism (admitting you are wrong)
• Empathy
• Equality
• Spontaneity

Question 14

Give the epidemiology of interpersonal communication (4)

Answer 14

Girls disclose more to their mothers than boys

Mothers rated their daughters as more disclosing than they actually are

Secrecy over school work is associated with lower self-esteem and lack of parental acceptance

Adolescents do not believe they are obligated to disclose personal issues to parents - parents think otherwise

Question 15

What are challenges of interpersonal communication? (3)

Answer 15

• we make inferences that may be incorrect
• we rely on intuition that may be incorrect
• we overestimate how effective we are as communicators