Now in its eleventh edition,
Interplay: The Process of Interpersonal Communication provides a comprehensive and engaging introduction to communication in interpersonal relationships. Blending topics of high student interest with rich pedagogy and an inviting visual format, this leading text shows how scholarship and research can help students understand their own relationships and communicate better in everyday life.
NEW TO THE ELEVENTH EDITION
* Revised and expanded material discusses hot-button issues including the influence of social networking websites on relationship formation, cultural differences as generalizations, neurobehavioral challenges in perception, linguistic convergence/divergence, the impact of new media on listening, communicating relational commitment, repairing damaged relationships, and constructive criticism.
* New "Dark Side of Communication" sidebars--featured in each chapter--examine the more difficult and challenging issues of interpersonal communication, such as verbal abuse, compulsive talking, cyber-bullying, manipulation, the "silent treatment," and discrimination based on people's accents.
* Focus on Research sidebars--twenty of which are new to this edition--highlight current scholarship on important and interesting issues, including the impact of TV makeover shows on viewers' self-images, impression management in online dating, the phenomenon known as "gaydar," gender differences in instant messaging habits, and "friends with benefits" relationships.
* A new chapter, "Communication in Families and at Work"--drawn from the previous edition's appendices--looks at the dynamics of family and work relationships.
* Film Clip sidebars--eighteen of which are new to this edition--profile recent feature films that illustrate communication concepts. Clips include Spanglish (culture and communication), Shark Tale (identity management), Lars and the Real Girl (constructing narratives), The Devil Wears Prada (poor listening habits), The Break-Up (relational stages), and Juno (managing conflict).
SUPPLEMENTS
* Instructor's Manual (available in paperback and CD-ROM): Includes an extensive Test Bank and suggested class activities.
* Student Success Manual: Features study tips, chapter outlines and summaries, review questions, key terms, and critical thinking exercises.
* Companion Website: Offers a wealth of resources for both students and instructors, including online self-testing and other study aids, links to a variety of communication-related websites, and "Now Playing" reviews of recent films.
Each Chapter ends with a Summary and a list of Activities.PART ONE: FOUNDATIONS OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Chapter 1: Interpersonal Process
Why We Communicate
Physical Needs
Identity Needs
Social Needs
Practical Needs
The Communication Process
A Model of Communication
Insights from the Communication Model
Communication Principles
Communication Misconceptions
Interpersonal Communication Defined
Quantitative and Qualitative Definitions
Personal and Impersonal Communication: A Matter of Balance
Interpersonal Communication and Technology
Mediated vs. Face-to-Face Communication
Challenges of Mediated Communication
Choosing the Best Communication Channel
Communication Competence
Communication Competence Defined
Characteristics of Competent Communication
Chapter 2: Culture and Communication
Fundamental Concepts
Culture and Co-Culture
Intercultural Communication
Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication
Cultural Values and Norms
High- versus Low-Context
Individualism versus Collectivism
Power Distance
Uncertainty Avoidance
Achievement versus Nurturing
Codes and Culture
Verbal Codes
Nonverbal Codes
Decoding Messages
Developing Intercultural Communication Competence
Motivation and Attitude
Tolerance for Ambiguity
Open-mindedness
Knowledge and Skill
Chapter 3: Communication and the Self
Communication and the Self-Concept
How the Self-Concept Develops
Characteristics of the Self-Concept
The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and Communication
Changing Your Self-Concept
Presenting the Self: Communication as Identity Management
Public and Private Selves
Characteristics of Identity Management
Why Manage Impressions?
How Do We Manage Impressions?
Identity Management and Honesty
Disclosing the Self: Choosing What to Reveal
Models of Self-Disclosure
Benefits and Risks of Self-Disclosure
Alternatives to Self-Disclosure
Guidelines for Self-Disclosure
Chapter 4: Perceiving Others
The Perception Process
Reality Is Constructed
Steps in the Perception Process
Influences on Perception
Physiological Influences
Psychological Influences
Social Influences
Sex and Gender Roles
Cultural Influences
Common Tendencies in Perception
We Make Snap Judgments
We Cling to First Impressions
We Judge Ourselves More Charitably Than We Do Others
We Are Influenced by Our Expectations
We Are Influenced by the Obvious
We Assume Others Are Like Us
Synchronizing Our Perceptions
Perception Checking
Building Empathy
PART TWO: CREATING AND RESPONDING TO MESSAGES
Chapter 5: Language
The Nature of Language
Language Is Symbolic
Language Is Rule-Governed
Language Is Subjective
Language and Worldview
The Impact of Language
Naming and Identity
Affiliation
Power
Sexism and Racism
Uses (and Abuses) of Language
Precision and Vagueness
The Language of Responsibility
Disruptive Language
Gender and Language
Extent of Gender Differences
Accounting for Gender Differences
Chapter 6: Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication Defined
Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication
All Behavior Has Communicative Value
Nonverbal Communication Is Primarily Relational
Nonverbal Communication Is Ambiguous
Nonverbal Communication Is Influenced by Culture
Functions of Nonverbal Communication
Creating and Maintaining Relationships
Regulating Interaction
Influencing Others
Concealing/Deceiving
Managing Identity
Types of Nonverbal Communication
Face and Eyes
Body Movement
Touch
Voice
Distance
Territoriality
Time
Physical Attractiveness
Clothing
Physical Environment
Chapter 7: Listening: Understanding and Supporting Others
The Nature of Listening
The Importance of Listening
Listening Defined
Reasons for Listening
The Challenge of Listening
Listening Is Not Easy
All Listeners Do Not Receive the Same Message
Poor Listening Habits
Components of Listening
Hearing
Attending
Understanding
Remembering
Responding
Types of Listening Responses
Silent Listening
Questioning
Paraphrasing
Empathizing
Supporting
Analyzing
Evaluating
Advising
Which Style to Use?
Chapter 8: Emotions
What Are Emotions?
Physiological Changes
Nonverbal Reactions
Cognitive Interpretations
Verbal Expression
Influences on Emotional Expression
Personality
Culture
Gender
Social Conventions and Roles
Fear of Self-Disclosure
Emotional Contagion
Guidelines for Expressing Emotions
Recognize Your Feelings
Choose the Best Language
Share Multiple Feelings
Recognize the Difference between Feeling and Acting
Accept Responsibility for Your Feelings
Choose the Best Time and Place to Express Your Feelings
Managing Difficult Emotions
Facilitative and Debilitative Emotions
Thoughts Cause Feelings
Irrational Thinking and Debilitative Emotions
Minimizing Debilitative Emotions
PART THREE: DIMENSIONS OF INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Chapter 9: Dynamics of Interpersonal Relationships
Why We Form Relationships
Attraction
Intimacy
Communication and Relational Dynamics
Developmental Models of Interpersonal Relationships
Dialectical Perspectives on Relational Dynamics
Maintaining relationships Through communication
Communicating About Relationships
Relational Maintenance Strategies
Repairing Damaged Relationships
Chapter 10: Communication Climate
What Is Communication Climate?
How Communication Climates Develop
Levels of Message Confirmation
Defensiveness
Climate Patterns
Creating Positive Climates
Reducing Defensiveness
Offering Constructive Criticism
Transforming Negative Climates
Seek More Information
Agree with the Critic
Chapter 11: Managing Conflict
What Is Conflict?
Expressed Struggle
Perceived Incompatible Goals
Perceived Scarce Resources
Interdependence
Inevitability
Functional and Dysfunctional Conflicts
Integration versus Polarization
Cooperation versus Opposition
Confirmation versus Disconfirmation
Agreement versus Coercion
De-escalation versus Escalation
Focusing versus Drifting
Foresight versus Shortsightedness
Positive versus Negative Results
Conflict Styles
Avoidance (Lose-Lose)
Accommodation (Lose-Win)
Competition (Win-Lose)
Compromise (Negotiated Lose-Lose)
Collaboration (Win-Win)
Which Style to Use?
Conflict in Relational Systems
Complementary, Symmetrical, and Parallel Styles
Intimate and Aggressive Styles
Conflict Rituals
Variables in Conflict Styles
Gender
Culture
Conflict Management in Practice
Chapter 12: Communication in Families and at Work
Communication in Families
Types of Family Communication
Spouses/Partners
Parent-Child
Siblings
Elements of Family Communication
Families as Communication Systems
Roles: Family Narratives
Models for Other Relationships
Communication Rules
Effective Communication in Families
Strive for Closeness While Respecting Boundaries
Strive for a Moderate Level of Adaptability
Encourage Confirming Messages
Deal Constructively with Conflict
Interpersonal Communication at Work
Advancing Your Career
Networking
Interviewing for Employment
Communicating in Organizations
Formal and Informal Relationships
Face-to-Face and Mediated Relationships
Relationships in Work Groups
Personal Skills in Work Groups
Group Cultures
Leadership, Power, and Influence in Working Groups