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Chapter Summary
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Interpersonal communication is the process of using messages to generate meaning between at least two people in a situation that allows mutual opportunities for both speaking and listening.

Interpersonal relationships provide one context in which people communicate with each other. Interpersonal relationships are associations between two or more people who are interdependent, who use some consistent patterns of interaction, and who have interacted for a period of time. Interpersonal relationships are established for a variety of reasons.

Most interpersonal relationships are positive, but interpersonal relationships also have a dark side.

Self-disclosure is the process of making intentional revelations about oneself that others would be unlikely to know and that generally constitutes private, sensitive, or confidential information.

Most relationships go through definable stages of development, maintenance, and deterioration. Why do people initiate relationships?
  • Attraction and similarity are important.
  • Other factors include proximity, responsiveness, complementarity, and social exchange.
Relationship maintenance is challenging.
  • Although some aspects of maintenance seem to generalize across most relationships, co-cultural differences affect our maintenance behaviors.
  • People can achieve satisfying relationships.
Why do people terminate relationships? Hurtful messages, deceptive communication, and aggressiveness may have a destructive effect on interpersonal relationships.

Although interpersonal communication behaviors cannot be prescribed, three communication behaviors are essential to competent interpersonal communication.
  • Affectionate communication includes the expression of fond or tender feelings toward another person.
  • One goal of interpersonal communicators is to influence others in their interpersonal relationships.
  • We develop our unique relationship through personal idioms and playful interactions.
We can improve relationships through communication by developing behavioral flexibility.





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