Unit 4 Notes: Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Communication

Levels of Communication

Intrapersonal

Based on three personal aspects

• Self concept (beliefs, values, attitudes, body image)
• Perception
• Expectation

4 Types of Intrapersonal Communication

Internal Discourse
Direct Interpersonal Communication
Mediated Interpersonal Communication
Mass Communication

1. Internal Discourse

• Solo vocal communication
• Solo written communication

2. Direct Interpersonal Communication

• Immediacy: Taking place now
• Primacy: Taking place here

Types of Direct Interpersonal Communication

Categorization based on size

• Dyadic communication (2 persons)
• Group (3 or more persons; small number)
• Public (large number of people)

Categorization based on function

• Organizational (work related)
• Family
• Impersonal

Process of Interpersonal Communication

• Initial encounter (first impression)
• Experimenting (exchange of information on 'safe' topics)
• Intensifying (mutual conclusion that relationship is worth pursuing)
• Integration (mutual fulfillment in relationship)
• Bonding (sealing, confirming & announcing relationship)

Process of Unraveling Interpersonal Communication

• Differentiating (focus on differences)
• Circumscribing (minimizing of communication)
• Stagnating (recognition that relationship is stale)
• Avoidance (distancing among participants)
• Termination (abrogation of relationship, announcement)

3. Mediated Interpersonal Communication

• Immediacy
• Primacy replaced by technological interaction

Types of Mediated Interpersonal Communication

• Dyadic: 2 persons
• Group: More than 2 persons

4. Mass Communication

(See Unit 7)

Concepts of Interpersonal Communication

Conversation
Informal, everyday speech, usually within an on-going relationship

Speech act
Intentional utterance for intended goal

Communication competence
Ability to communication in socially acceptable way Self-disclosure: personal internal revelations

Gender differences
Report talk: sharing information, demonstrating knowledge (associated with males)
Rapport talk: enhance relationship, share experiences (associated with females)

Metacommunication
Communication specifically about communication

Johari Window
Graphic visualization of process of self-disclosure

Stereotypes

Walter Lippmann: 'Pictures in our heads'

• Stereotypes contain ambivalent beliefs about relationship between groups
• Stereotypes heighten perceptions of positive and negative behavior
• Stereotypes maintain divisions between in-groups ('us') and out-groups ('them')

Group Communication

Types of Groups

• Social group
• Family as primary group
• Family as reference group
• Work group
• Decision-making group
• Problem-solving group

Leadership in Groups

• Authoritarian leader (high control)
• Democratic leader (moderate control)
• Laissez-faire leader (low control)
• Abdacratic leader (no control)

Pattern of Group Development

• Orientation phase
• Conflict phase
• Norm emergence
• Closure

Conflict and Communication

Consensus Building
Creation of mutually acceptable agreement,
achieved through negotiation,
built on dialogue,
achieving outcome that at least partially meets needs of all parties

Conflict Management
Process that anticipates, researches & identifies potential problems
and acts to address the problem

Conflict Styles
Focus on solving problem

• Integrating: high level of concern for both self and other
• Compromising: moderate level of concern for self and other

Focus on control

• Dominating: high level of concern for self, low level of concern for other

Focus on avoiding confrontation

• Obligating: low level of concern for self, high level of concern for other
• Avoiding: low level of concern for both self and other

Conflict Resolution
Permanent solution to problem achieved through dialogue,
without physical or verbal violence

• Expressive Conflict
  Based on desire to release tension
• Instrumental Conflict
  Based on difference in goals or practices

Win-Win Strategy
Positive approach to conflict
Each side gains something (perhaps not everything sought)

Win-Lose Strategy
Negative approach to conflict
One side emerges as clear winner, other side as clear loser

• Steam-rolling (badgering until other party gives in)
• Force (physical or emotional coercion)
• Blame (focusing on cause of problem instead of solution)
• Silencing (preventing other side from participating in communication)
• Rejection (withholding of love or recognition)
• Escalation (taking conflict to higher level)

Intercultural Difference in Conflict Management

Culture versus co-culture (also called micro-culture)

Face
Deference or respect, often based on social position

Freewrite and Discussion

1. Using the concept of communication competence, sketch out an example of an incompetent communicator.
2. Give an example of the same concept as a belief, value and attitude.
3. Explain the difference between immediacy and primacy in a communication context.
4. Explain the relationship between group communication and direct interpersonal communication
5. Discuss the role of self-disclosure as part of interpersonal communication.

Relevant Web Sites

Pertinent Information On-line articles about interpersonal communication

Ohio State University Resources On-line articles and links on interpersonal communication

University of Iowa Resources On-line articles and links on interpersonal communication