Interpersonal Communication

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Interpersonal Communication

• John A. Cagle

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Interpersonal Communication

• Interpersonal communication deals with
  relationships between people, usually in
  face-to-face private settings.
• Interpersonal communication is the primary way
  relationships are created, maintained, and
  changed.

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Rosenfield, Hayes, Frentz (1976)
Relationships Defining Main Characteristics

• FORMALITY the amount of distance between the
  people defines the type of relationship, from
  formal to intimate.
• ACCESSIBILITY the openness, willingness to
  exchange information (self-disclosure).
• RECIPROCITY certain behaviors are called for in
  the relationship and others are prohibited each
  person has expectations which must be fulfilled.
• COMMITMENT the degree to which each person is
  uniquely a part of the relationship the
  interchangeableness of the people.
• SPONTANEITY the freedom or lack of freedom to
  engage in spontaneous behaviors, free of role
  expectations of the other.

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Watzlawick, Beavin, and Jackson (1967)
Their theory is based on a systems paradigm.
Their book, Pragmatics of Human Communication,
posited five axioms of communication.
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Watzlawick, Beavin, and Jackson (1967)Five
Axioms of Communication

• 1. One cannot not communicate.
• 2. Every communication has a content and a
  relationship aspect such that the latter defines
  the former and is therefore metacommunication.
• 3. Every communication sequence is defined by the
  way the interactants punctuate communication
  events.
• 4. Interpersonal contacts are digital and
  analogic.
• 5. Communication relationships are either
  symmetrical or complementary.

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R. D. Laings Interpersonal Perception
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Matching of Perspectives and Metaperspectives on
content and relationship
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If conflict occurs, it could be because

• They agree and mutually understand each other on
  the content issue, but they still have a
  relationship conflict.
• They agree on the content issue, but one or both
  misunderstand the others position.
• They disagree on the content issue and understand
  that they do.
• They disagree on the content issue and, on top of
  that, one or both misunderstands the others
  position.
• They agree and understand each other on
  relationship definition, but have a content
  conflict.
• They are in relational agreement but
  misunderstand that they are.
• They disagree relationally (e.g., both wish to
  control the relationship) and understand that
  they do.
• They disagree relationally and, in addition,
  misperceive the others relational stance.

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Timothy Leary (1957) Interpersonal Circumplex

• Definitions of relationship pull behaviors from
  each person.
• Behaviors on the Love-Hate axis tend to pull the
  same behavior.
• Behaviors on the Dominance-Submission axis tend
  to pull opposite behaviors.

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