Ch. 2: An Interpersonal Communication Process

1
Ch. 2 An Interpersonal Communication Process
2
Interchanging Roles

• Directive Approach
• The interviewer establishes the purpose of the
  interview and attempts to control the pacing,
  climate, formality, and drift of the interview
• Nondirective Approach
• Interviewee(s) have significant control over the
  subject matter, length of answers, climate and
  formality.
• Combination Approaches

3
Interpersonal Communcation
R
E
E
R
4
Perceptions

• Perceptions of Self
• Self-concept
• Self-esteem
• Perceptions of the Other Party
• Cultural Differences
• Perceptions of the other partys age, sex, race,
  etc.
• Perceptions may (and perhaps should ) change as
  the interview progresses

5
Communication Interactions

• Levels of Interaction
• Level 1 relatively safe and nonthreatening
  (facts and figures about life)
• Level 2 personal, controversial or threatening
  topics about beliefs, attitudes, values and
  positions.
• Level 3 intimate and controversial areas of
  liferesponses include full disclosure of
  feelings, beliefs, etc.

6
Communication Interactions

• Sex, Culture and Interaction
• Sex women tend to disclose more than men and are
  allowed to express emotions more openly (with the
  exception of anger)
• Culture cultures vary in how, when and to whom
  self-disclosure is appropriate
• Politeness Theory holds that all persons want
  to be appreciated and protected

7
Communication Interactions

• Verbal Interactions
• Words are imperfect and often lead to
  miscommunication as much as they may communicate
• I.E., Multiple Meanings, Ambiguities, Sound
  Alikes, Connotations, Jargon, Slang, Euphemisms,
  Naming/Labeling, Word Order, Power Words,
  Regional Differences, Gender and Global
  Differences

8
Communication Interactions

• Nonverbal Interactions
• Up to two-thirds of meaning is conveyed in
  nonverbal communications (facial expression, body
  posture, gestures, etc.)

9
Feedback

• Feedback verifies what is being communicated and
  how well it is being communicated.
• Communicated verbally and nonverbally

10
Listening Styles

• Listening for Comprehension
• Receiving, understanding and remembering the
  message as accurately and completely as possible
• Listening for Empathy
• Communicating genuine concern, understanding and
  involvement with the persons subjective frame of
  reference.

11
Listening Styles

• Listening for Evaluation
• Critical Listening Judging what you hear and
  observe
• Listening for Resolution
• Dialogic Listening focus on ours rather than
  mine or yoursappropriate for problem-solving
  interviews where the purpose is joint resolution

12
The Interview Situation

• Surroundings (atmosphere, climate, noise,
  presence of others/privacy)
• Time (time of day, week, year)
• Place (on whose turf)
• Proximity and Setting (arrangement, comfort)

13
Outside Forces

• Family, associates, friends, etc. may influence
  the progression of the interview
• No one comes to the interview from a vacuumwe
  bring our lives with us.