Interpersonal Communication: Relating to Others (with Interactive Companion CD-ROM)

This text offers a blend of theory and skills that students can use to become “other-oriented” — mindfully considerate of the thoughts, needs, and values of others. Fueled by the authors' conviction that “skills inform principles; principles inform skills,”Interpersonal Communication: Relating to Others maintains a careful balance between theoretical and skills-oriented material. This book integrates an emphasis on diversity with theoretical and skills discussions. Examples are drawn from a variety of age and ethnic groups, and special boxes focus on gender and diversity issues. A chapter on intercultural communication supplements this integral material by relating it to the “other-oriented” approach.

Table of Contents:
All Chapters conclude with “Summary,” “For Discussion and Review,” “For Your Journal,” “Learning with Others,” and “Glossary.” I. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION FOUNDATIONS. 1. Introduction to Interpersonal Communication. Defining Interpersonal Communication. The Importance of Interpersonal Communication to Our Lives. An Evolving Model for Interpersonal Communication. Mediated Interpersonal Communication: A New Frontier. Principles of Interpersonal Communication. Myths about Interpersonal Communication. How to Improve Your Own Interpersonal Communication Effectiveness. 2. Interpersonal Communication and Self. Self Concept: Who Are You? Self-Esteem: Your Self Worth. Improving Your Self Esteem. How Self Concept and Self Esteem Affect Interpersonal Communication. Self Disclosure: Connecting Self to Others Through Talk. Characteristics of Self Disclosure. 3. Interpersonal Communication and Perception. Understanding Interpersonal Perception. Perception and Interpersonal Communication. Perceiving Others. Identifying Barriers to Accurate Perception. Improving Your Perception Skills. 4. Interpersonal Communication and Cultural Diversity: Adapting to Others. The Nature of Culture. Barriers to Effective Intercultural Communication. Improving Intercultural Competence. II. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION SKILLS. 5. Listening and Responding. Listening Defined. Listening Styles. Listening Barriers. Improving Listening Comprehension and Responding Skills. Improving Empathic Listening and Responding Skills. Improving Critical Listening and Responding Skills. Improving Responding Skills. 6. Communicating Verbally. Understanding How Words Work. Recognizing the Power of Words. Use of Words. Avoiding Word Barriers. Using Words to Establish Supportive Relationships. Using Words to Value Others. 7. Communicating Nonverbally. Why Learn about Nonverbal Communication? The Challenge of Interpreting Nonverbal Messages. Nonverbal Communication Codes. Interpreting Nonverbal Communication. Improving Your Ability to Interpret. 8. Conflict Management Skills. What Is Conflict? Conflict Myths. Conflict Types. Conflict as a Process. Conflict Management Styles. When Others Aren't Other-Oriented: How to Be Assertive. III. INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION RELATIONSHIPS. 9. Understanding Interpersonal Relationships. An Interpersonal Relationship as a System and a Process. Relationships of Circumstance and Relationships of Choice. Interpersonal Trust and Self-Disclosure in Relationships. Attraction and Intimacy in Relationships. Interpersonal Power in Relationships. Stages of Interpersonal Relationships. Interpersonal Development Theories. 10. Developing Interpersonal Relationships. Skills for Starting Relationships. Escalating and Maintaining Relationships with Friends and Lovers. Skills and Strategies For Escalating and Maintaining Relationships. De-Escalating and Ending Relationships. 11. Interpersonal Relationships at Home, at Work, and on the Internet. Interpersonal Relationships at Home. Interpersonal Relationships at Work. Interpersonal Communication on the Internet.