Understanding Interpersonal Communication Making Choices in Changing Times (with CD-ROM and InfoTrac)

by West, Richard; Turner, Lynn H.

• ISBN13: 9780534605889
• ISBN10: 0534605885
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2005-04-26
• Publisher: Wadsworth Publishing

Summary

West and Turner's UNDERSTANDING INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION: MAKING CHOICES will empower your students with the knowledge they need to be skillful communicators in today's changing and technologically advanced society. With a belief that "theory informs skills and skills refine theory," this text seeks to eliminate the perceived division between theory and practice while clarifying the intersection between the two. This approach to skill development provides discussion of interpersonal skills and the behavior choices students can make in order to become more effective communicators. The authors avoid "telling" students how to apply interpersonal skills to various situations. Rather, they provide a list of skills pertaining to the theory students read about in the chapter so students will be able to draw upon a sort of toolbox, or set of skills, that are specific and workable. Filled with realistic examples and scenarios that reflect the diversity and interactions of today's students, UNDERSTANDING INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION makes clear connections between theory, skills and the life situations we all encounter on a daily basis.

Table of Contents

Preface	xix
Introduction to Interpersonal Communication	2	(30)
Understanding Interpersonal Communication	6	(1)
Models of Communication	7	(7)
Mechanistic Thinking and the Linear Model	7	(3)
Feedback and the Interactional Model	10	(1)
Shared Meaning and the Transactional Model	11	(3)
The Nature of Interpersonal Communication	14	(3)
The Interpersonal Communication Continuum	14	(2)
Defining Interpersonal Communication	16	(1)
The Value of Interpersonal Communication	17	(2)
Principles of Interpersonal Communication	19	(4)
Interpersonal Communication Is Unavoidable	19	(1)
Interpersonal Communication Is Irreversible	20	(1)
Interpersonal Communication Involves Symbol Exchange	20	(1)
Interpersonal Communication Is Rule--Governed	20	(1)
Interpersonal Communication Is Learned	21	(1)
Interpersonal Communication Has Both Content and Relationship Information	22	(1)
Myths about Interpersonal Communication	23	(2)
Interpersonal Communication Solves All Problems	23	(1)
Interpersonal Communication Is Always a Good Thing	23	(1)
Interpersonal Communication Is Common Sense	24	(1)
Interpersonal Communication Is Synonymous with Interpersonal Relationships	24	(1)
Interpersonal Communication Is Always Face to Face	24	(1)
Interpersonal Communication Ethics	25	(1)
Five Ethical Systems of Communication	25	(1)
Facing Change	25	(3)
Understanding Ethics and Our Own Values	27	(1)
Ethics & Choice	28	(1)
Choices for Changing Times	28	(1)
Summary	29	(1)
Understanding Interpersonal Communication Online	30	(2)
Terms for Review	30	(1)
Questions for Understanding	30	(1)
Interactive Activities and InfoTrac College Edition Exercises	31	(1)
Communication, Perception, and the Self	32	(30)
Understanding Perception: A Seesaw Experience	34	(6)
Attending and Selecting	35	(1)
Organizing	36	(2)
Interpreting	38	(1)
Retrieving	39	(1)
Facing Change	40	(1)
Influences on Perception	40	(5)
Culture	40	(1)
Sex and Gender	41	(1)
Physical	42	(1)
Technology	43	(1)
Self-Concept	44	(1)
Understanding the Self: The ``Is'' Have It	45	(1)
Self-Concept	45	(1)
Ethics & Choice	45	(4)
Self-Fulfilling Prophecy	47	(2)
Identity Management: Let's Face It	49	(4)
Identity Management and Facework	50	(1)
Strategies for Identity Management	51	(2)
Perception, the Self, and Interpersonal Communication	53	(1)
Choices for Checking Perceptions and Improving Self-Concept	54	(1)
Improving Perception Checking	54	(1)
Skill Spotlight	55	(4)
Improving Self-Concept	57	(2)
Summary	59	(1)
Understanding Interpersonal Communication Online	60	(2)
Terms for Review	60	(1)
Questions for Understanding	60	(1)
Interactive Activities and InfoTrac College Edition Exercises	61	(1)
Communication, Culture, and Identity	62	(28)
Diversity in the United States: A Nation of Newcomers	65	(2)
Defining Culture	67	(2)
Culture Is Learned	67	(1)
Culture Creates Community	68	(1)
Culture Is Multileveled	68	(1)
Dimensions of Culture	69	(1)
Uncertainty Avoidance	69	(1)
Facing Change	70	(3)
Distribution of Power	70	(1)
Masculinity--Femininity	70	(1)
Individualism--Collectivism	71	(2)
Why Study Intercultural Communication?	73	(4)
Technological Imperative	73	(1)
Demographic Imperative	74	(1)
Economic Imperative	74	(1)
Peace Imperative	75	(1)
Self-Awareness Imperative	76	(1)
Ethical Imperative	76	(1)
Challenges of Intercultural Communication	77	(5)
Ethnocentrism	77	(2)
Stereotyping	79	(1)
Anxiety and Uncertainty	80	(1)
Misinterpretation of Nonverbal and Verbal Behaviors	81	(1)
The Assumption of Similarity or Difference	81	(1)
Choices for Intercultural Understanding	82	(2)
Know Your Biases and Stereotypes	83	(1)
Tolerate the Unknown	83	(1)
Skill Spotlight	84	(2)
Practice Cultural Respect	84	(1)
Educate Yourself	85	(1)
Ethics & Choice	86	(1)
Be Prepared for Consequences	86	(1)
Relate to the Individual, Not the Culture	86	(1)
Reevaluate and Eliminate Your Prejudices	87	(1)
Summary	87	(1)
Understanding Interpersonal Communication Online	88	(2)
Terms for Review	88	(1)
Questions for Understanding	89	(1)
Interactive Activities and InfoTrac College Edition Exercises	89	(1)
Communication and Emotion	90	(34)
Defining Emotion: More Than Just a Feeling	93	(6)
Three Category Systems for Emotion	93	(1)
Mixed Emotions	94	(2)
Emotion, Cognition, and the Body	96	(2)
Emotion about Emotion	98	(1)
Models of Emotion: Biology and Social Interaction	99	(2)
The Biological Model of Emotion	99	(1)
The Social Model of Emotion	100	(1)
Emotion and Communication	101	(3)
Talk about Emotion	101	(1)
Emotional Communication	101	(1)
How Emotion Is Communicated	102	(2)
Influences on Emotional Communication	104	(1)
Culture	104	(1)
Ethics & Choice	105	(4)
Gender	106	(2)
Context	108	(1)
Facing Change	109	(1)
The Dark Side of Emotional Communication: We Always Hurt the Ones We Love	110	(1)
The Bright Side of Emotional Communication: Happy Talk	111	(3)
Choices for Developing Emotional Communication Skills	114	(5)
Know Your Feelings	114	(4)
Analyze the Situation	118	(1)
Own Your Feelings	118	(1)
Skill Spotlight	119	(2)
Reframe When Needed	120	(1)
Empathize	120	(1)
Summary	121	(1)
Understanding Interpersonal Communication Online	122	(2)
Terms for Review	122	(1)
Questions for Understanding	122	(1)
Interactive Activities and InfoTrac College Edition Exercises	123	(1)
Effective Listening	124	(26)
The Importance of Listening	126	(2)
Hear Today: The Hearing Process	128	(1)
Listen Up: The Listening Process	128	(4)
Receiving	129	(1)
Recalling	129	(1)
Rating	130	(1)
Responding	131	(1)
The Barriers: Why We Don't Listen	132	(3)
Noise	132	(1)
Message Overload	133	(1)
Message Complexity	133	(1)
Lack of Training	134	(1)
Preoccupation	134	(1)
Listening Gap	135	(1)
Poor Listening Habits	135	(2)
Selective Listening	135	(1)
Talkaholism	136	(1)
Pseudolistening	136	(1)
Gap Filling	137	(1)
Defensive Listening	137	(1)
Ambushing	137	(1)
Styles of Listening	137	(2)
People-Centered Listening Style	138	(1)
Action-Centered Listening Style	138	(1)
Content-Centered Listening Style	138	(1)
Time-Centered Listening Style	139	(1)
Culture and the Listening Process	139	(1)
Ethics & Choice	139	(1)
Facing Change	140	(1)
Choices for Effective Listening	140	(5)
Evaluate Your Current Skills	140	(1)
Prepare to Listen	141	(1)
Provide Empathic Responses	141	(1)
Use Nonjudgmental Feedback	142	(1)
Practice Active Listening	143	(2)
Skill Spotlight	145	(1)
Summary	146	(1)
Understanding Interpersonal Communication Online	147	(3)
Terms for Review	147	(1)
Questions for Understanding	148	(1)
Interactive Activities and InfoTrac College Edition Exercises	148	(2)
Communicating Verbally	150	(32)
Understanding Verbal Symbols	153	(1)
Attributes of Verbal Symbols	154	(3)
Words are Symbolic	154	(1)
Language Evolves	154	(3)
Words Are Powerful	157	(1)
Facing Change	157	(4)
Meanings for Verbal Symbols May Be Denotative or Connotative	160	(1)
Words Vary in Level of Abstraction	160	(1)
Factors Affecting Verbal Symbols	161	(4)
Culture and Ethnicity	161	(4)
Ethics & Choice	165	(5)
Gender	166	(1)
Generation	167	(1)
Context	168	(2)
The Dark Side of Verbal Symbols	170	(3)
Sexist Language	170	(1)
Racist Language	171	(1)
Static Evaluation	172	(1)
Polarization	172	(1)
Reification	172	(1)
The Bright Side of Verbal Codes	173	(1)
Ambiguity in Verbal Codes	174	(1)
Choices for Improving Verbal Communication	175	(3)
Owning and Using I-Messages	176	(1)
Understanding the Ladder of Abstraction	176	(1)
Indexing	176	(1)
Probing the Middle Ground	177	(1)
Skill Spotlight	178	(1)
Summary	179	(1)
Understanding Interpersonal Communication Online	179	(3)
Terms for Review	180	(1)
Questions for Understanding	180	(1)
Interactive Activities and InfoTrac College Edition Exercises	181	(1)
Communicating Nonverbally	182	(28)
Principles of Nonverbal Communication	186	(2)
Nonverbal Communication Is Often Ambiguous	186	(1)
Nonverbal Communication Regulates Conversation	186	(1)
Nonverbal Communication Is More Believable than Verbal Communication	187	(1)
Nonverbal Communication May Conflict with Verbal Communication	187	(1)
Nonverbal Communication Codes	188	(12)
Visual-Auditory Codes	188	(6)
Contact Codes	194	(4)
Place and Time Codes	198	(2)
Ethics & Choice	200	(1)
Cultural Variations in Nonverbal Communication	201	(4)
Body Movement	201	(1)
Facial Expressions	202	(1)
Personal Space	202	(1)
Touch	203	(2)
Choices for Increasing Nonverbal Communication Effectiveness	205	(1)
Recall the Nonverbal-Verbal Relationship	205	(1)
Be Tentative When Interpreting Nonverbal Behavior	205	(1)
Monitor Your Nonverbal Behavior	205	(1)
Facing Change	205	(1)
Skill Spotlight	206	(1)
Ask Others for Their Impressions	206	(1)
Place Nonverbal Communication in Context	207	(1)
Summary	207	(1)
Understanding Interpersonal Communication Online	208	(2)
Terms for Review	208	(1)
Questions for Understanding	208	(1)
Interactive Activities and InfoTrac College Edition Exercises	209	(1)
Sharing Personal Information	210	(36)
Definition of Self-Disclosure: Opening Up	212	(1)
Features of Self-Disclosure: Expanding the Definition	213	(3)
Intentionality and Choice	213	(1)
Intimacy and Risk	213	(2)
Trust	215	(1)
Ethics & Choice	216	(1)
Self Disclosure as a Subjective Process: Making It Real	216	(1)
Factors Affecting Disclosure	217	(6)
Individual Differences	217	(1)
Relational Issues	217	(3)
Culture	220	(1)
Gender	221	(1)
The Receiver	222	(1)
Models of Self-Disclosure: Seeing the Big Picture	223	(5)
Social Penetration	223	(1)
Dialectics	224	(2)
The Johari Window	226	(2)
Principles of Self-Disclosure	228	(3)
We Disclose a Great Deal in Few Interactions	228	(1)
Self-Disclosures Occur Between Two People in a Close Relationship	229	(1)
Self-Disclosures Are Reciprocal	230	(1)
Self-Disclosures Occur in the Context of Time	231	(1)
Reasons to Self-Disclose: I Want You to Know Me	231	(3)
To Experience Catharsis and Improve Psychological Health	232	(1)
To Improve Physical Health	233	(1)
To Achieve Self-Awareness	234	(1)
To Initiate a Relationship	234	(1)
Facing Change	234	(2)
To Maintain Existing Relationships	235	(1)
To Satisfy Expectations of What Constitutes a Good Relationship	236	(1)
To Escalate a Relationship	236	(1)
Reasons Not to Self-Disclose: Why Am I Afraid to Tell You Who I Am?	236	(3)
To Avoid Hurt and Rejection	237	(1)
To Avoid Conflict and Protect a Relationship	237	(1)
To Keep Your Image Intact and Maintain Individuality	238	(1)
To Reduce Stress	239	(1)
Choices for Effective Disclosing	239	(1)
Use I-Statements	239	(1)
Skill Spotlight	240	(3)
Be Honest	240	(1)
Be Consistent with Your Verbal and Nonverbal Communication	241	(1)
Focus Your Nonverbal Communication	241	(1)
Be Sure Your Content Is Relevant	241	(1)
Be Sure Your Topic Is Relevant	241	(1)
Estimate the Risks and Benefits	241	(1)
Predict How Your Partner Will Respond	241	(1)
Be Sure the Amount and Type of Disclosure Are Appropriate	241	(1)
Estimate the Effect of the Disclosure on Your Relationship	242	(1)
Summary	243	(1)
Understanding Interpersonal Communication Online	244	(2)
Terms for Review	244	(1)
Questions for Understanding	244	(1)
Interactive Activities and InfoTrac College Edition Exercises	245	(1)
Communicating Power and Conflict	246	(30)
Defining Conflict: Knowing It When You See It	250	(5)
Interaction	250	(1)
Interdependence	251	(1)
Perception	252	(1)
Incompatible Goals	252	(1)
Types of Conflict	252	(3)
Power: Who's Got It, Who Wants It, and How to Deal with It	255	(3)
Modes of Power	255	(1)
Sources of Power	256	(2)
Empowerment	258	(1)
Conflict Models: Seeing the Big Picture	258	(4)
Satir's Four--Part Model	258	(2)
Filley's Process Model	260	(2)
Myths about Conflict	262	(3)
Conflict Is Always Bad	262	(1)
Conflict Is Just Miscommunication	263	(1)
All Conflicts Can Be Resolved through Good Communication	263	(1)
It Is Always Best to Talk through All Conflicts	263	(2)
Factors Influencing Interpersonal Conflict	265	(1)
Gender and Conflict	265	(1)
Facing Change	265	(2)
Culture and Conflict	267	(1)
Ethics & Choice	267	(1)
Communication Patterns in Conflict	268	(2)
Symmetrical Escalation	268	(1)
Symmetrical Withdrawal	268	(1)
Pursuit-Withdrawal/Withdrawal-Pursuit	268	(1)
Symmetrical Negotiation	269	(1)
Choices for Conflict Management: Working It Out	270	(1)
Lighten Up and Reframe	270	(1)
Presume Good Will and Express Good Will	270	(1)
Ask Questions	270	(1)
Listen	270	(1)
Skill Spotlight	271	(1)
Practice Cultural Sensitivity	272	(1)
Summary	272	(1)
Understanding Interpersonal Communication Online	273	(3)
Terms for Review	273	(1)
Questions for Understanding	274	(1)
Interactive Activities and InfoTrac College Edition Exercises	274	(2)
Communicating in Close Relationships	276	(42)
Understanding Close Relationships: What Do We Mean, Anyway?	282	(6)
Are Relationships Performances?	284	(1)
Are Relationships in Our Heads?	284	(2)
Are Relationships in Our Language?	286	(1)
Are Relationships Face to Face?	287	(1)
Facing Change	288	(1)
Explaining Communication in Close Relationships: What's It All About?	289	(14)
Systems Theory: We're All Connected	289	(2)
Dialectics Theory: It's a Push--Pull Feeling	291	(4)
Social Exchange Theories: If You Rub My Back, I'll Rub Yours	295	(2)
Stage Models: Step by Step	297	(6)
Factors Affecting Communication in Relationships	303	(2)
Gender	303	(2)
Culture	305	(1)
Communicating in Close Relationships: The Dark Side	305	(2)
Ethics & Choice	307	(1)
Communicating in Close Relationships: The Bright Side	307	(1)
Choices in Communicating in Close Relationships	308	(3)
Communication Skills for Beginning Relationships	308	(1)
Communication Skills for Maintaining Relationships	309	(2)
Skill Spotlight	311	(3)
Communication Skills for Repairing Relationships	313	(1)
Summary	314	(1)
Understanding Interpersonal Communication Online	315	(3)
Terms for Review	315	(1)
Questions for Understanding	316	(1)
Interactive Activities and InfoTrac College Edition Exercises	316	(2)
Technology and Interpersonal Communication	318	(35)
Characteristics of Communication Technology	322	(1)
The Accessibility of Technology	323	(1)
Facing Change	324	(1)
The Internet: Connecting Now	324	(7)
Background of the Internet	325	(1)
The Dark Side of the Internet: Proceed with Caution	326	(3)
The Bright Side of the Internet: New Opportunities	329	(2)
The Presentation of the Self Online	331	(1)
Assumptions of Online Presentations of the Self	331	(1)
Ethics & Choice	332	(4)
Identity Markers on the Internet	334	(2)
Communication Technology and Interpersonal Communication	336	(5)
Relational Tech: More than Words	336	(1)
You've Got Mail (and a Relationship)	337	(4)
Choices for Improving Online Communication Skills	341	(6)
Sender Skills for Electronic Messages	341	(3)
Receiver Skills for Electronic Messages	344	(1)
Sender and Receiver Skills for Electronic Messages	345	(2)
Skill Spotlight	347	(1)
Summary	348	(1)
Understanding Interpersonal Communication Online	349	(4)
Terms for Review	349	(1)
Questions for Understanding	350	(1)
Interactive Activities and InfoTrac College Edition Exercises	350	(3)
Glossary	353	(10)
References	363	(14)
Index	377	(12)
Photo Credits	389