This guide helps students reinforce and enhance their understanding of the principles and skills of interpersonal communication. Filled with exercises, activities, and study aids, it provides students with a wealth of opportunities to review and apply concepts introduced in the text.
I. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION FOUNDATIONS.
1. Introduction to Interpersonal Communication.
Defining Interpersonal Communication.
The Importance of Interpersonal Communication to Our Lives.
An Evolving Model for Human and Interpersonal Communication.
Mediated Interpersonal Communication: Relating to Others Online.
Principles of Interpersonal Communication.
Interpersonal Communication Myths.
How to Improve Your Own Interpersonal Communication Competence.
2. Interpersonal Communication and Self.
Self Concept: Who Are You?
Self-Esteem: Your Self Worth.
How to Improve Your Self Esteem.
How Self-Concept and Self-Esteem Affect Interpersonal Communication and Relationships.
Self Disclosure: Connecting Self to Others Through Talk.
Characteristics of Self-Disclosure.
3. Interpersonal Communication and Perception.
Understanding Interpersonal Perception.
Perceiving Others.
Barriers to Accurate Interpersonal Perception.
Improving Your Perception Skills.
4. Interpersonal Communication and Cultural Diversity: Adapting to Others.
The Nature of Culture.
Understanding Diversity: Describing Our Differences
Understanding Culture: Describing Our Mental Software
Barriers to Effective Intercultural Communication.
Improving Intercultural Competence.
II. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS.
5. Listening and Responding Skills.
Listening Defined.
Listening Styles.
Listening Barriers.
Improving Listening, Comprehension, and Responding Skills.
Responding to Confirm or Disconfirm Others.
Improving Empathic Listening and Responding Skills.
Improving Critical Listening and Responding Skills.
Improving Your Responding Skills.
6. Verbal Communication Skills.
Understanding How Words Work.
Recognizing the Power of Words.
Avoiding Word Barriers.
Using Words to Establish Supportive Relationships.
Using Words to Be Appropriately Assertive.
7. Nonverbal Communication Skills.
Why Learn about Nonverbal Communication?
The Challenge of Interpreting Nonverbal Messages.
Nonverbal Communication Codes.
Interpreting Nonverbal Communication.
Improving Your Ability to Interpret Nonverbal Messages.
8. Conflict Management Skills.
What Is Conflict?
Myths about Conflict.
Types of Conflict.
Conflict as a Process.
Conflict Management Styles.
Negotiation Strategies
Conflict Management Skills.
III. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION RELATIONSHIPS.
9. Understanding Interpersonal Relationships.
Interpersonal Relationship Defined.
Genesis of Interpersonal Relationships: Attraction
Influence in Interpersonal Relationships: Power
Relationships with Friends, Lovers, and Family.
10. Developing Interpersonal Relationships.
Stages of Interpersonal Relationships.
Theories of Interpersonal Relationship Development.
Strategies and Skills for Developing Interpersonal Relationships.
11. Managing Relationship Challenges.
Relationship Challenges.
The Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication and Relationships.
De-Escalation and Termination of Relationships.
12. Interpersonal Relationships at Home, Through Computer-Mediated Communication, and at Work.
Interpersonal Relationships at Home.
Interpersonal Communication and Computer-Mediated Communication.
Interpersonal Relationships at Work.