Introduction to Interpersonal Communication

Chapter 1: Introduction to Interpersonal

Communication

Chapter Goals

• Explain three prevailing models of human communication.

• Describe the impersonal-interpersonal communication continuum.

• Define and interpret interpersonal communication

• Understand the principles of interpersonal communication.

• Demystify stereotypes associated with interpersonal communication.

• Explain how ethical awareness relates to interpersonal encounters.

Outline

I. Communication apprehension

A. Legitimate life experience that usually negatively affects our communication with others. (See communication assessment test).

B. This book is about improving your ability to interact with other people.

II. We engage in interpersonal communication daily.

A. Scholars have identified six kinds of situations in which human communication exists.

III. Models of Communication—visual, simplified representations of complex relationships in the communication process.

A. Linear model of communication (Shannon & Weaver, 1949), see figure 1.1.

B. Four types of noise can interrupt a message:

C. The linear view suggests that communication takes place in a context, which is multidimensional, or the environment in which a message is sent.

A. Although the linear model was highly regarded when it was first conceptualized, the linear approach has been criticized because it presumes that communication has a definable beginning and ending.

D. Feedback and the Interaction Model (see figure 1.2).

E. Like the linear model, the interactional model has been criticized for its view of senders and receivers.

F. Shared meaning and the Transactional Model (see figure 1.3).

A. Many interpersonal communication scholars embrace the transactional process in their research; such as, Julia Wood (1998, p. 6) who believes that human communication "is...