Communication In Interpersonal Relationships

Interpersonal relationships are the core of our societal system and have been since before the dawn of civilization. In today's world, friends, lovers, companions, and confidants make valuable contributions to our everyday lives. These are the relationships whose members are not automatically participants as a result of their birth and kin affiliations. The focus is on these relationships that must be forged from the sometimes indifferent, and sometimes hostile world. Yet, there is still much that is not known about how these relationships evolve, how partners communicate in on-going relationships, how people keep their relationships together, and how they cope when they fall apart. Primary to the focus of this book is the underlying theme of evolving interpersonal relationships from the initial encounter to the mature alliance. The contributors to this volume provide a contemporary perspective for the study of interpersonal relationships. Fresh areas of scholarly inquiry are presented and existing approaches are re-examined. Research in the introductory chapters breaks new ground, and appraises the ultimate question of what impact initial interactions have on further relational development. The mid-section of the volume concerns communication issues that confront the members of a relationship in process, focusing on how conflict and jealousy are communicated to a relational partner. This research considers relational development as well as obstacles and barriers to evolving relationships. The concluding chapters probe the question: Ultimately do all good things have to come to an end? Employing innovative techniques to examine maturing and disengaging relationships, the research presented here focuses on how interpersonal relationships become committed and mature.

This book discusses communication principles, processes, and skills from four different perspectives by explaining four related propositions. First, human communication is guided by socially established rules, the knowledge of which allows interacting persons to exert influence over the outcome of their interactions. Second, self concepts are formed and sustained in our interactions with others. Third, the formation of sustained interpersonal relations depends upon the attraction resulting from reciprocal self concept support. And fourth, organizations and the cultural system provide the parameters within which self concepts and interpersonal relations are formed. The implications of these propositions are examined in chapters two through ten. The authors develop their system in terms of results. What patterns of communication—what patterns of signal exchange—increase the probability of the development of affective relationship? What patterns erode interpersonal systems or prevent them from forming? The book also examines patterns of communication within task-oriented organizations and in situations involving cultural differences.

An outline of how power, an inherent feature of social interactions, operates and affects close relationships.

The new edition of this well regarded book introduces the underpinning theory and concepts required for the development of first class communication and interpersonal skills in nursing. By providing a simple to read overview of the central topics, students are able to quickly gain a solid, evidence-based grounding in the subject. Topics covered include: empathy; building therapeutic relationships; using a variety of communication methods; compassion and dignity; communicating in different environments; and culture and diversity issues. Three new chapters have been added that point readers towards further ways of approaching their communication skills that are less model and technique driven and focusing more on therapeutic considerations, as well as looking at the politics of communication.

Updated in its 13th edition, Joseph Devito's The Interpersonal Communication Book provides a highly interactive presentation of the theory, research, and skills of interpersonal communication with integrated discussions of diversity, ethics, workplace issues, face-to-face and computer-mediated communication and a new focus on the concept of choice in communication. This thirteenth edition presents a comprehensive view of the theory and research in interpersonal communication and, at the same time, guides readers to improve a wide range of interpersonal skills. The text emphasizes how to choose among those skills and make effective communication choices in a variety of personal, social, and workplace relationships

Second edition of a popular book that helps students to develop their communication and interpersonal skills. This popular book is designed to enable nursing and health care students to improve their communication and interpersonal skills. It provides an introduction to the theory that underpins communication studies and offers opportunities for students to reflect on their own practice. The book gives students helpful guidelines and tips, while emphasising that successful communication depends on the quality of the therapeutic relationship. The new edition covers: Key concepts in communication; Self-awareness and understanding our impact on others; Transactional Analysis; Listening skills; Communication skills in practice; An extended case study that brings together the concepts and principles discussed throughout the book. Communication and Interpersonal Skills uses activities, scenarios and case studies to support learning and to enable students to apply theory in their practice. It is ideal for students on nursing and health and social care courses who want to use their communication skills to improve the quality of care they offer to their patients and service users.

The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication examines the multifunctional ways in which seemingly productive communication can be destructive—and vice versa—and explores the many ways in which dysfunctional interpersonal communication operates across a variety of personal relationship contexts. This second edition of Brian Spitzberg and William Cupach’s classic volume presents new chapters and topics, along with updates of several chapters in the earlier edition, all in the context of surveying the scholarly landscape for new and important avenues of investigation. Offering much new content, this volume features internationally renowned scholars addressing such compelling topics as uncertainty and secrecy in relationships; the role of negotiating self in cyberspace; criticism and complaints; teasing and bullying; infidelity and relational transgressions; revenge; and adolescent physical aggression toward parents. The chapters are organized thematically and offer a range of perspectives from both junior scholars and seasoned academics. By posing questions at the micro and macro levels, The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication draws closer to a perspective in which the darker sides and brighter sides of human experience are better integrated in theory and research. Appropriate for scholars, practitioners, and students in communication, social psychology, sociology, counseling, conflict, personal relationships, and related areas, this book is also useful as a text in graduate courses on interpersonal communication, ethics, and other special topics.