A First Look at

Interpersonal
Communication

Why?
Process?
Principles & Misconceptions.
Communication Competence.

Why We Communicate

Physical Needs - presence/absence affects physical health

Identity Needs - we learn who we are through interaction

Social Needs - satisfies affection, companionship, escape,

etc.

Practical Needs - getting others to behave in ways we

want.

The Process of Communication

What happens when people exchange messages and

create meanings?

A Linear View
~~~~~noise~~~~~noise~~~~~noise~~~~~
sender/encodes > message > channel > receiver/decodes
~~~~~noise~~~~~noise~~~~~noise~~~~~

A Transactional View

Communication Principles

Comm can be intentional or unintentional.

Its impossible not to communicate.

Comm is unrepeatable.

Comm is irreversible.

Comm has a content and a relational dimension.

Communication Misconceptions

More comm is not always better.

Meanings are not in words.

Successful comm doesn't always involve shared

understanding.

Comm will not solve all problems

Communication Competence

Simple definition: Seeks to be effective and appropriate

Competence is a balancing act.

Requires examining yourself and others.

There is no ideal way to communicate

Competence is situational and can be learned.

Characteristics of Competent Communicators

The communicator:

has a wide range of behaviors

has the ability to choose the most appropriate behavior

is skilled at performing behaviors

has cognitive complexity

is empathic

self-monitors

is committed

Check your competence

For your Introduction Paper you have three options to choose from to assist in your
writing:
1.Take an online assessment (pg. 23 14th edition)
2.Compare your assessment with an important person in your life (pg. 27 14th edition
or see pic in next slide)
3.Use the characteristics of communication competence

Use the following questions as a guide. Feel free to expand more. Be reflexive and
thorough in your answer by providing explanation, reasons, and examples. Your
paper should have a beginning, middle and end.

What are your communication competence strengths and weaknesses?

What areas of your competence need improvements, and why?

Were there any differences between your partners assessment and your own
assessment? If so, how do you explain this? (if applicable)

What are some concrete ways to measure our success as we improve our competence?
(Answer in class)

Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal vs Impersonal

Quantitative Approach

dyad

impersonal

Qualitative Approach

uniqueness

irreplaceability

interdependence

disclosure

intrinsic rewards