Interpersonal Comm Theory (355) Exam 1 - Communication Arts 355 with Venetis at Rutgers University - New Brunswick/Piscataway

Monique R.

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Key Terms in the Definition of Interpersonal Communication

-Process - constantly changing, modifying, adjusting

-Uniquely Human - Only humans

-Collective Activity - all communication requires social agreement to create meaning, there must be shared understanding

-Creative endeavor - we can create a reality to exist, ex. Truth, Love, rules for existance

-Regulatory - Taking possesion of the world via talk, (Ex. Having laryngitis removes power to talk or to have force on your environment) Talk has power (Ex. Wishes, results on an exam, Pregnancy

Characteristics of Interpersonal Communication

Intentional and Unintentional

Irreversible - Ex. Verbal diarrhea

Functional

Learned

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Types of rules that govern interpersonal communication

Regulative - Guide on how to act (ex. First date)

Constituative - guide how to interpret meaning (ex. It was nice to meet you. We should do this again later).

2 Levels of meaning in messages

Content Meaning - Literal or denotative meaning of a message (ex. "Do you want to see the concert on Friday?")

Relationship Meaning - implied or connotative meaning of a message; reflects the personal and relational significance of messages (ex. "I'm kind of interested in you , and I want to go out on a date")

Goals of Theory

Explanation

Understanding

Prediction

Social Change

Characteristics of theory

Concepts – words or terms that label the most important elements in a theory.

-Nominal concepts - unobservable

-Real concepts - observable

Relationships – specifications for the ways in which the concepts in the theory are combined.

How we evaluate theory

Scope and Boundaries

Logical Consistency

Parsimony

Utility

Testability

Heuristic

Test of Time

Personal Frame

Identity is the image we construct within ourselves

We perceive ourselves to possess certain characteristics and not others

Enactment Frame

Identities develop through communication with others

The way we respond to others and the way they respond to us shape how we view ourselves

Relationship Frame

-We define ourselves in terms of relationships with other people

-Identity can be shaped by the type of sibling, child, friend you are

-How you portray yourself can also depend on who you are with

Communal Frame

Identity is tied to the groups to which we belong

Development of our identities is often constrained by our cultural or group identities

Self Concept vs. Self Esteem

Self Concept: a relatively stable set of perceptions people hold about themselves developed through interaction with others. Provides an important motive for behavior.

Self Esteem: how positively versus negatively we see ourselves

Assumptions about Self Expansion Theory

How identity influences of the development of close relationships after first impressions are made.

Theory is helpful for understanding benefits of relationships.

Self Expansion Theory defined

Based on three predictions:

-People want to expand their experiences and extend their identities (be more than they are) ex. Study abroad, run a marathon, learn a language

Looking Glass Self

The feedback we get from others shapes our identity

The way people treat us is reflected in how we see ourselves

Self Fulfilling Prophecy

Real behavior consequenses. What we believe will come true.

Ex. "I'm bad at math" = failure in math.

Assumption of dramaturgical framework/theory

Focuses on presentation of self, "self presentation in everyday life"

Communicating in life is not unlike performing

Ex. a job interview is like a formal performance

Definition of face

about the ways tht we can bve sensitive to others' identity

-social and public, approved

-Situated: the "line" you talk is relevant only to that interaction

-Claimed: the face we say we want to be

Types of Face

Positive Face - need to be liked

Negative Face - need to not be intruded upon (ex. Can you give me a ride to the store?)

Types of face threatening acts

Falling short of your own expectations (self)

giving unsolicited advice; insult, anger, embarrass others

Characteristics of personality traits

Consistent or enduring patterns of behavior or other observable characteristics.

Stable

Genetic

Evolved

Universal

Extrovert vs. Introvert

Extrovert: prefer to socialize, company of others energizes them, focus on the external world

Introvert: prefer solitude, find renewal after spending time alone, focus on internal world or subjective landscape

Sensor vs. iNtuitive

Sensor: prefer to socialize, company of others energizes them, focus on the external world

iNtuitive: prefer solitude, find renewal after spending time alone, focus on internal world or subjective landscape

Thinker vs. Feeler

Thinker: Rely on intellect and impersonal logic, like to analyze data and come to conclusions, value fairness

Feeler: like to be appreciated at work through meaningful things, like words of encouragement (you're doing a great job!) or other things like birthday parties at work or a work softball team.

Judger vs. Perceiver

Judger: Prefer selecting the most important data, eliminating options, and bringing closure to a decision

Perceiver: Like the first part of the decision-making process: generating options, gathering data, exploring possibilities.

Types of attraction

–Physical Attraction - based on physical appearance

–Social Attraction - based on fitting in with us

–Task Attraction - the desire to work with someone

–Sexual Attraction - the desire to have sex with someone

–Relational Attraction - the desire to have an intimate relationship

–Chemical Attraction - physiological and neurological attraction

–Fatal Attraction - initial attractive qualities are no longer attractive

Personal qualities that affect attraction

Perceptions of rewardingness

Expectations

Demographics

Personality

Qualities of the other that affect attraction

Physical attractiveness

Communication

The hard-to-get phenomenon

How Chemistry is important in attraction

Similarity: Birds of a feather

Complementarity: Opposites

General assumptions of uncertainty reduction theory (not Axioms)

(1) Initial interactions give rise to two types of uncertainty in interpersonal settings.

–Cognitive uncertainty

–Behavioral uncertainty

(2) Uncertainty is an aversive state, generating cognitive stress.

–Uncertainty ---> anxiety

(3) When strangers meet, they strive to reduce their uncertainty and increase predictability.

(4) Interpersonal communication is the primary means of uncertainty reduction

Strategies to reduce uncertainty

1. passive strategies: watching (ex. at party)

2. active strategies: mini-experiment

–Ex. creating a faux letter to see what boyfriend does

–Ex. asking third parties

3. interactive strategies: talking to other

–Ex. asking questions, sharing information..

General assumptions of predicted outcome value theory

Based on the idea that people are not driven by a need to reduce uncertainty in all cases.

We initially reduce uncertainty to see how we feel about the other, then we use ______________ as motivation to (or not to) see further information

General assumptions of Theory of Uncertainty management

Brashers argues that uncertainty is not inherently bad or good; it can make us worry or give us hope

Role of emotion in our response to uncertainty

–We only seek to reduce uncertainty if the uncertainty is anxiety producing

General assumptions of Theory of Motivated Information Management

Says individuals are only motivated to manage uncertainty when they perceive a discrepancy between the level of uncertainty they have about an important issue and the amount that they want

What do uncertain individuals consider before gathering information (should they decide to gather information?)

1. outcome expectancy – Is the expected outcome of getting information going to be positive or negative?

2. efficiency assessments of self and other - –Do I have the ability to gather the information I need/want? Does the other have the ability to give me the information I desire?

The information provider goes through the same mental processes

What are the 7 secret test strategies?

Asking Third Party Tests - interrogating social network

Triangle Tests - involve 3rd party (Fidelity test; jealousy test)

Directness Tests - Direct questioning

Separation Tests - separation to see how it affects relationship

Public Presentation Tests - public presentation of relationship to see others reaction

Endurance Tests - Testing limits

Indirect Suggestion Tests - Joking, escalating touch, hinting

Assumptions of Expectancy Violations Theory

The unexpected behavior is compared with the expected behavior, and if the unexpected behavior is more positive than expected, a positive violation has occurred

If the unexpected behavior is more negative than expected, a negative violation has occured

Predictive vs. Prescriptive expectancies for behavior (Expectancy Violation Theory)

Predictive expectancies:

–Based what normally occurs in a given context, relationship, or a person’s general patterns of behavior

Prescriptive expectancies:

–Based on general rules of appropriateness

General assumptions of Model of Relational Turbulence

-Theory is interested in couples that are transitioning between casual and more intimate. This transition occurs at moderate levels of intimacy.

-Changes that are inevitable in the development of close relationships create turmoil during periods of transition in relationships.

-Both intrapersonal and interpersonal processes contribute to relational turbulence.

Definition of self uncertainty

people's own feelings about how involved they want to be in a relationship

Definition of partner uncertainty

feelings about their partner's feelings and intentions

Ex. wondering whether their feelings are reciprocated

Definition of relational uncertainty

having questions about the state of a relationship

Interdependence

Influence from partner

Facilitation from partner

Interference from partner

Social Penetration

The process of bonding through talk that moves a relationship from superficial to more intimate. Accomplished via self disclosure

Components of the Onion model of self-disclosure

Depth and Breadth

Public Image - The outer layers of a person that are visible to others

Private Self - The innermost layers of a person that are only revealed to significant others.

Stages of social penetration

-Orientation - reveal only superficial

-Exploratory Affective Exchange - Personality emerges - casual acquaintances

-Affective Exchange - Further committment, level of comfort - Close friends, intimate partners

-Stable Exchange - Raw Honesty & intimacy - most intimate of relationships

Recipocity of disclosure

–When one person reveals information and his or her partner responds by offering information that is at a similar level of intimacy.

–Reciprocity is usually immediate in non-intimate associations, but delayed in long term close relationships

The dyadic effect (explanations)

Reciprocal self-disclosure is the vehicle through which people build close relationships.

Risks associated with self-disclosure

Fear of exposure or rejection

Fear of retaliation or angry attacks

Fear of loss of control

Fear of losing individuality

Guidelines for self-disclosure

Is the other person important to you?

Is the risk of disclosing reasonable?

Are the amount and type of disclosure appropriate?

Examine the timing of the disclosure.

Is the disclosure relevant to the situation at hand?

Is the disclosure reciprocated?

Will the effect be constructive?

Relationship between self-disclosure and liking

Disclosure-liking hypothesis

–the more we disclose, the more receivers like us

Liking-disclosure hypothesis

–we tend to disclose more to receivers that we like

Ways that self-disclosure can backfire

Too much disclosure too early

Indiscriminant disclosure -When the recipient thought s/he was ‘special’ for receiving disclosure and then learning that other people know; now feels less special

Negative responses to disclosure

Assumptions of Knapp's stage model of relationship development

There are 5 stages each of development and dissolusion

Five stages of relationship development

–Initiating: Uncertainty reduction; Positive social outcomes

–Experimenting: Establish common ground and interests; Increase breadth and frequency of involvement, low depth

–Intensifying: Shared conception of the relationship

–Integrating: Develop a single social unit; show “closeness” to others; Separate the relationship as unique

–Bonding: Established as a socially recognized couple

Maddon, et al. 2001 Results

Purpose of Study: To access the effect of self-fulfillment behavior and self-verification behavior on students math scores

Findings: Teacher perceptions may have a greater impact on student self-concepts than student self-concepts had on teacher perception; Self-fulfilling prophecies and self-verification occur simultaneously; Prior student achievement accounts for teacher perceptions and student self-concepts

Hecht et al. 2002 Results

Northern Exposure - Used communal frame Communication Theory of Identity explore to Jewish American identity

Personality characteristics

Importance of community

Sense of otherness

Conflation with NYC

Religious practices

Languages/naming

Closeting

Fox et al. 2007 Results

Purpose: Explore the extent of gender differences in the CMC (computer mediated communication) format of Instant Messaging

Women were more expressive than men

Messages differed depending on gender of target

-To men: more words, more turns

-To women: more reference to emotion

Weaver 2005 Results

Reveals distinctly different communicator styles between:

Extraversion - nondirective (talkative, conciliatory)

Psychoticism - directive (contentious, unresponsive)

Neuroticism - illusive (both deceptiveness & acquiescence)

Whitty 2004 Results

An examination of Men's and Women's flirting behaviour both offline and on the internet

women used more nonverbal substitutes emoticons and laughter (:-) & lol) and flirted more online

men flirted more face to face

Sprecher & Hendrick (2004) Results

Purpose of study: to examine self-disclosure in ongoing relationships over time

Findfings: Both men and women disclose a lot and reported that their partners disclosed a lot, Both men and women perceive that they disclose more than their partner

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