Interplay The Process of Interpersonal Communication

by Adler, Ronald B.; Rosenfeld, Lawrence B.; Proctor, Russell F.

• ISBN13: 9780195309928
• ISBN10: 0195309928
• Edition: 10th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2006-03-16
• Publisher: Oxford University Press

Summary

Now in a new edition, Interplay: The Process of Interpersonal Communication provides a comprehensive and engaging introduction to communication in interpersonal relationships. Based on an extensive body of scholarship, Interplay cites more than 1,200 sources--almost 25% of which are new to this edition--and provides a variety of thought-provoking photos, sidebars, and cartoons that illustrate key points in the text and connect them to everyday life and popular culture. Updated and revised throughout, the tenth edition is now more accessible and useful to students, with revisions based on detailed recommendations by leading scholars in the field. UPDATED FEATURES OF THE TENTH EDITION * Revised and expanded material examines the relationship between gender and language use, the pervasiveness and inevitability of casual "mindless" listening, conflict styles, co-cultures within American society, and relational maintenance. * Focus on Research sidebars--50% of which are new to this edition--summarize current research on interesting and important topics. New profiles provide information on such topics as cell phone etiquette, self-presentation strategies of first-generation college students, unwritten rules for expressing emotions on the job, methods used by college students to discourage drinking and driving, and the functions of telling secrets in close relationships. * Film Clips--50% of which are new to this edition--profile recent feature films that illustrate communication concepts. These clips include Crash (stereotyping), Garden State (emotional expression), 50 First Dates (relational stages), Bend It Like Beckham (relational dialectics), and Before Sunset (self-disclosure). * An inviting new design features provocative photos and clever cartoons that reinforce concepts from the text and encourage students to explore the book's content. * The Interplay website at www.oup.com/us/interplay offers a wealth of resources for both students and their professors--online self-testing and other study aids, links to a variety of communication-related websites, and "Now Playing" reviews of recent films.

Table of Contents

Preface	xii
PART ONE FOUNDATIONS OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Interpersonal Process	1	(28)
Why We Communicate	2	(5)
Physical Needs	3	(1)
Identity Needs	4	(1)
Social Needs	4	(1)
Practical Needs	5	(2)
The Communication Process	7	(8)
A Model of Communication	7	(1)
Insights from the Communication Model	7	(2)
Communication Principles	9	(4)
Communication Misconceptions	13	(2)
Interpersonal Communication Defined	15	(5)
Quantitative and Qualitative Definitions	15	(2)
Personal and Impersonal Communication: A Matter of Balance	17	(1)
Interpersonal Communication and Technology	18	(2)
Communication Competence	20	(4)
Communication Competence Defined	20	(2)
Characteristics of Competent Communication	22	(2)
Summary	24	(1)
Activities	25	(4)
Culture and Communication	29	(26)
Fundamental Concepts	31	(3)
Culture and Co-Culture	31	(1)
Intercultural Communication	32	(1)
Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication	33	(1)
Cultural Values and Norms	34	(6)
High- versus Low-Context	34	(2)
Individualism versus Collectivism	36	(1)
Power Distance	37	(1)
Uncertainty Avoidance	38	(1)
Achievement versus Nurturing	39	(1)
Codes and Culture	40	(7)
Verbal Codes	40	(4)
Nonverbal Codes	44	(1)
Decoding Messages	44	(3)
Developing Intercultural Communication Competence	47	(5)
Motivation and Attitude	47	(2)
Tolerance for Ambiguity	49	(1)
Open-mindedness	49	(2)
Knowledge and Skill	51	(1)
Summary	52	(1)
Activities	53	(2)
Communication and the Self	55	(28)
Communication and the Self-Concept	56	(13)
How the Self-Concept Develops	57	(3)
Characteristics of the Self-Concept	60	(4)
The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and Communication	64	(4)
Changing Your Self-Concept	68	(1)
Presenting the Self: Communication as Identity Management	69	(10)
Public and Private Selves	69	(1)
Characteristics of Identity Management	69	(5)
Why Manage Impressions?	74	(1)
How Do We Manage Impressions?	75	(3)
Identity Management and Honesty	78	(1)
Summary	79	(1)
Activities	80	(3)
Perceiving Others	83	(30)
The Perception Process	85	(6)
Reality is Constructed	85	(1)
Steps in the Perception Process	86	(5)
Influences on Perception	91	(7)
Physiological Influences	91	(3)
Psychological Influences	94	(1)
Social Influences	95	(2)
Cultural Influences	97	(1)
Common Tendencies in Perception	98	(5)
We Make Snap Judgments	99	(1)
We Cling to First Impressions	100	(1)
We Judge Ourselves More Charitably Than We Do Others	101	(1)
We Are Influenced by Our Expectations	102	(1)
We Are Influenced by the Obvious	102	(1)
We Assume Others Are Like Us	103	(1)
Synchronizing Our Perceptions	103	(6)
Perception Checking	103	(2)
Building Empathy	105	(4)
Summary	109	(1)
Activities	109	(4)
PART TWO CREATING AND RESPONDING TO MESSAGES
Language	113	(32)
The Nature of Language	114	(5)
Language is Symbolic	114	(1)
Language is Rule-Governed	115	(1)
Language is Subjective	116	(1)
Language and Worldview	117	(2)
The Impact of Language	119	(7)
Naming and Identity	119	(2)
Credibility and Status	121	(1)
Affiliation, Attraction, and Interest	121	(2)
Power	123	(1)
Sexism and Racism	124	(2)
Uses (and Abuses) of Language	126	(11)
Precision and Vagueness	126	(6)
The Language of Responsibility	132	(3)
Disruptive Language	135	(2)
Gender and Language	137	(5)
Extent of Gender Differences	137	(4)
Accounting for Gender Differences	141	(1)
Summary	142	(1)
Activities	142	(3)
Nonverbal Communication	145	(28)
Nonverbal Communication Defined	146	(2)
Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication	148	(4)
All Behavior Has Communicative Value	148	(1)
Nonverbal Communication is Primarily Relational	149	(2)
Nonverbal Communication is Ambiguous	151	(1)
Nonverbal Communication is Influenced by Culture	151	(1)
Functions of Nonverbal Communication	152	(5)
Creating and Maintaining Relationships	154	(1)
Regulating Interaction	154	(1)
Influencing Others	155	(1)
Concealing/Deceiving	155	(2)
Managing Identity	157	(1)
Types of Nonverbal Communication	157	(12)
Face and Eyes	158	(1)
Body Movement	158	(2)
Touch	160	(1)
Voice	161	(2)
Proxemics	163	(2)
Territoriality	165	(1)
Time	166	(1)
Physical Attractiveness	166	(2)
Clothing	168	(1)
Physical Environment	169	(1)
Summary	169	(1)
Activities	170	(3)
Listening: Understanding and Supporting Others	173	(32)
The Nature of Listening	174	(4)
The Importance of Listening	174	(1)
Listening Defined	175	(2)
Reasons for Listening	177	(1)
The Challenge of Listening	178	(3)
Listening is Not Easy	178	(1)
All Listeners Do Not Receive the Same Message	179	(1)
Poor Listening Habits	180	(1)
Components of Listening	181	(2)
Hearing	181	(1)
Attending	182	(1)
Understanding	182	(1)
Remembering	183	(1)
Responding	183	(1)
Types of Listening Responses	183	(17)
Silent Listening	184	(1)
Questioning	184	(4)
Paraphrasing	188	(2)
Empathizing	190	(2)
Supporting	192	(2)
Analyzing	194	(1)
Evaluating	194	(1)
Advising	195	(2)
Which Style to Use?	197	(3)
Summary	200	(1)
Activities	201	(4)
Emotions	205	(28)
What Are Emotions?	206	(3)
Physiological Changes	206	(1)
Nonverbal Reactions	207	(1)
Cognitive Interpretations	207	(1)
Verbal Expression	208	(1)
Influences on Emotional Expression	209	(5)
Personality	209	(1)
Culture	210	(1)
Biological Sex and Gender	211	(1)
Social Conventions	212	(1)
Social Roles	213	(1)
Fear of Self-Disclosure	213	(1)
Emotional Contagion	214	(1)
Guidelines for Expressing Emotions	214	(6)
Recognize Your Feelings	215	(1)
Choose the Best Language	216	(2)
Share Multiple Feelings	218	(1)
Recognize the Difference between Feeling and Acting	219	(1)
Accept Responsibility for Your Feelings	219	(1)
Choose the Best Time and Place to Express Your Feelings	219	(1)
Managing Difficult Emotions	220	(9)
Facilitative and Debilitative Emotions	220	(1)
Thoughts Cause Feelings	221	(2)
Irrational Thinking and Debilitative Emotions	223	(4)
Minimizing Debilitative Emotions	227	(2)
Summary	229	(1)
Activities	230	(3)
PART THREE DIMENSIONS OF INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Dynamics of Interpersonal Relationships	233	(34)
Why We Form Relationships	235	(5)
Appearance	235	(1)
Similarity	236	(1)
Complementarity	236	(1)
Rewards	237	(1)
Competency	238	(1)
Proximity	239	(1)
Disclosure	239	(1)
Communication and Relational Dynamics	240	(14)
Developmental Models of Interpersonal Relationships	240	(6)
Communication and Relational Maintenance	246	(2)
Dialectical Perspectives on Relational Dynamics	248	(6)
Communicating about Relationships	254	(1)
Content and Relational Messages	254	(1)
Expression of Relational Messages	254	(1)
Compliance-Gaining in Interpersonal Relationships	255	(8)
Types of Compliance-Gaining Strategies	256	(5)
Which Strategy to Choose?	261	(2)
Summary	263	(1)
Activities	264	(3)
Intimacy and Distance in Relationships	267	(34)
Intimacy and Distance: Striking a Balance	268	(3)
Dimensions of Intimacy	268	(1)
Dimensions of Distance	269	(1)
The Dialectics of Intimacy and Distance	270	(1)
Influences on Intimacy and Distance	271	(3)
Male and Female Intimacy Styles	271	(2)
Cultural Influences on Intimacy	273	(1)
Self-Disclosure in Relationships	274	(12)
A Definition of Self-Disclosure	275	(1)
Degrees of Self-Disclosure	276	(2)
A Model of Self-Disclosure	278	(2)
Risks and Benefits of Self-Disclosure	280	(6)
Alternatives to Self-Disclosure	286	(9)
Silence	286	(1)
Lying	287	(3)
Equivocation	290	(2)
Hinting	292	(1)
The Ethics of Evasion	293	(2)
Guidelines for Self-Disclosure	295	(1)
Is the Other Person Important to You?	295	(1)
Is the Risk of Disclosing Reasonable?	295	(1)
Is the Self-Disclosure Appropriate?	295	(1)
Is the Disclosure Relevant to the Situation at Hand?	295	(1)
Is the Disclosure Reciprocated?	296	(1)
Will the Effect Be Constructive?	296	(1)
Is the Self-Disclosure Clear and Understandable?	296	(1)
Summary	296	(2)
Activities	298	(3)
Communication Climate	301	(32)
What is Communication Climate?	302	(1)
How Communication Climates Develop	303	(10)
Levels of Message Confirmation	303	(6)
Defensiveness	309	(2)
Assertiveness	311	(1)
Climate Patterns	312	(1)
Creating Positive Climates	313	(7)
Evaluation versus Description	313	(2)
Control versus Problem Orientation	315	(1)
Strategy versus Spontaneity	316	(1)
Neutrality versus Empathy	317	(1)
Superiority versus Equality	318	(1)
Certainty versus Provisionalism	319	(1)
Transforming Negative Climates	320	(9)
Seek More Information	320	(4)
Agree with the Critic	324	(5)
Summary	329	(1)
Activities	329	(4)
Managing Conflict	333	(31)
What is Conflict?	334	(3)
Expressed Struggle	334	(1)
Perceived Incompatible Goals	334	(1)
Perceived Scarce Rewards	335	(1)
Interdependence	335	(1)
Inevitability	335	(2)
Functional and Dysfunctional Conflicts	337	(3)
Integration versus Polarization	337	(1)
Cooperation versus Opposition	337	(1)
Confirmation versus Disconfirmation	338	(1)
Agreement versus Coercion	338	(1)
De-Escalation versus Escalation	338	(1)
Focusing versus Drifting	339	(1)
Foresight versus Shortsightedness	339	(1)
Positive versus Negative Results	339	(1)
Conflict Styles	340	(9)
Avoidance (Lose-Lose)	341	(1)
Accommodation (Lose-Win)	342	(1)
Competition (Win-Lose)	342	(3)
Compromise (Negotiated Lose-Lose)	345	(1)
Collaboration (Win-Win)	346	(1)
Which Style to Use?	347	(2)
Conflict in Relational Systems	349	(5)
Complementary, Symmetrical, and Parallel Styles	349	(3)
Intimate and Aggressive Styles	352	(1)
Conflict Rituals	353	(1)
Variables in Conflict Styles	354	(4)
Gender	355	(1)
Culture	356	(2)
Conflict Management in Practice	358	(3)
Summary	361	(1)
Activities	362	(2)
Appendixes
APPENDIX ONE Communication in Families	364	(14)
Types of Family Communication	365	(4)
Spouses/Partners	365	(1)
Parent-Child	366	(2)
Siblings	368	(1)
Elements of Family Communication	369	(5)
Families as Communication Systems	369	(1)
Roles	370	(1)
Family Narratives	371	(1)
Models for Other Relationships	371	(1)
Communication Rules	372	(2)
Effective Communication in Families	374	(3)
Strive for Closeness While Respecting Boundaries	374	(1)
Strive for a Moderate Level of Adaptability	375	(1)
Encourage Confirming Messages	375	(1)
Deal Constructively with Conflict	376	(1)
Summary	377	(1)
APPENDIX TWO Interpersonal Communication at Work	378	(15)
Communicating in Organizations	379	(2)
Formal and Informal Relationships	379	(2)
Face-to-Face and Mediated Relationships	381	(1)
Personal Relationships	381	(3)
Giving Praise	382	(1)
Offering Constructive Feedback	382	(2)
Relationships in Work Groups	384	(2)
Personal Skills in Work Groups	384	(1)
Group Cultures	385	(1)
Leadership, Power, and Influence in Working Groups	386	(1)
Interviewing	386	(5)
Before the Interview	387	(1)
During the Interview	388	(2)
After the Interview	390	(1)
Summary	391	(2)
Glossary	393	(9)
References	402	(43)
Credits	445	(2)
Author Index	447	(8)
Subject Index	455