Interpersonal communication
[1] It is also an area of research that seeks to understand how humans use verbal and nonverbal cues to accomplish several personal and relational goals.
Although interpersonal communication is most often between pairs of individuals, it can also be extended to include small intimate groups such as the family.
[15] The theory argues that strangers, upon meeting, go through specific steps and checkpoints in order to reduce uncertainty about each other and form an idea of whether they like or dislike each other.
Underlying assumptions include the idea that an individual will cognitively process the existence of uncertainty and take steps to reduce it.
The boundary conditions for this theory are that there must be some kind of trigger, usually based on the social situation, and internal cognitive process.
This theory states that "relationships grow, develop, deteriorate, and dissolve as a consequence of an unfolding social-exchange process, which may be conceived as a bartering of rewards and costs both between the partners and between members of the partnership and others".
[20] Social exchange theory argues that the major force in interpersonal relationships is the satisfaction of both people's self-interest.
[21] According to the theory, human interaction is analogous to an economic transaction, in that an individual may seek to maximize rewards and minimize costs.
As long as rewards continue to outweigh costs, a pair of individuals will become increasingly intimate by sharing more and more personal information.
Constructs for this theory include creation of meaning, social norms, human interactions, and signs and symbols.
The dialectical approach to interpersonal communication revolves around the notions of contradiction, change, praxis, and totality, with influences from Hegel, Marx, and Bakhtin.
Both internal and external dialectics function in interpersonal relationships, including separateness vs. connection, novelty vs. predictability, and openness vs.
[25] Relational dialectics theory assumes three different types of tensions in relationships: connectedness vs. separateness, certainty vs. uncertainty, and openness vs. closedness.
[30] In close interpersonal relationships, individuals may feel a pressure to reveal personal information, as described in social penetration theory.
This analysis gives insight into some features of interpersonal relations, including aspects of psychological and sexual compatibility, and ranks as one of the four most popular models of personality.
[citation needed] Identity management is an ongoing process that Imahori and Cupach define as having three relational stages.
At the trial stage, cultural differences are significant barriers to the relationship and it is critical for partners to avoid identity freezing and nonsupport.
Attribution theory is part of the socio-psychological tradition and analyzes how individuals make inferences about observed behavior.
For example, when a student fails a test an observer may choose to attribute that action to 'internal' causes, such as insufficient study, laziness, or having a poor work ethic.
Alternatively the action might be attributed to 'external' factors such as the difficulty of the test, or real-world stressors that led to distraction.
A teacher's nonverbal immediacy, clarity, and socio-communicative style has significant consequences for students' affective and cognitive learning.
[49] It has been argued that "companionship" is a useful metaphor for the role of "immediacy", the perception of physical, emotional, or psychological proximity created by positive communicative behaviors, in pedagogy.
At the relational level, individuals can feel devalued when they believe that their partner does not perceive the relationship to be close, important, or valuable.
For instance, if the relationship is conducted on the assumption of sexual and emotional fidelity, violating this standard represents a relational transgression.
A few ill-spoken words (e.g. "You're worthless", "You'll never amount to anything", "I don't love you anymore") can strongly affect individuals, interactions, and relationships.
In 2004, Barki and Hartwick consolidated several definitions across the discipline and defined conflict as "a dynamic process that occurs between interdependent parties as they experience negative emotional reactions to perceived disagreements and interference with the attainment of their goals".
[65] Side effects of using these technologies for communication may not always be apparent to the individual user, and may involve both benefits and risks.
Asynchronous messages can serve as reminders of what has been done and what needs to be done, which can prove beneficial in a fast-paced health care setting.
[68] Therefore, it is important to be aware of a person's background, ideas and beliefs and consider their social, economic and political positions before attempting to decode the message accurately and respond appropriately.
[85] Gender is considered to be a socially and culturally constructed role assigned to an individual based on their perceived sex.
