Close Encounters: Communication in Relationships

A relational approach to the study of interpersonal communication Close Encounters: Communication in Relationships, Fifth Edition helps students better understand their relationships with romantic partners, friends, and family members. Bestselling authors Laura K. Guerrero, Peter A. Andersen, and Walid A. Afifi offer research-based insights and content illustrated with engaging scenarios to show how state-of-the-art research and theory can be applied to specific issues within relationships—with a focus on issues that are central to describing and understanding close relationships. While maintaining the spotlight on communication, the authors also emphasize the interdisciplinary nature of the study of personal relationships by including research from such disciplines as social psychology and family studies. The book covers issues relevant to developing, maintaining, repairing, and ending relationships. Both the "bright" and "dark" sides of interpersonal communication within relationships are explored.  

Table of Contents:
Conceptualizing Relational Communication: Definitions and Principles The Field of Personal Relationships: A Brief History The Field of Personal Relationships: A Brief History Contributions of Social Psychology Roots in Other Disciplines Relationships General Types of Relationships Need Fulfillment in Close Relationships Relationship Categories Characteristics Distinguishing Different Relationship Types Principles of Interpersonal Communication Verbal and Nonverbal Messages Communication as Inevitable Interpersonal Communication Goals Effectiveness and Shared Meaning Content versus Relational Information Symmetry in Communication Principles of Relational Communication Relationships Emerge Across Ongoing Interactions Relationships Contextualize Messages Communication Sends a Variety of Relational Messages Relational Communication is Dynamic Relational Communication Follows both Linear and Nonlinear Patterns Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site Communicating Identity: The Social Self The Development of Personal Identity Defining Identity Human Nature and Identity Communication and Identity Culture and Ethnic Identity The Image: Creating an Identity “Talkin’ ‘Bout Your Generation”: Millennials and Generation Zers’ Identity Social Networking and Identity Identity, Perception, and Self-Esteem Expanding Identity The Principles of Identity Management Identity and Hierarchical Structure Identity and the Looking-Glass Self Identity and the Interpretation of Feedback Identity, Expectations, and Behavior Identity and Self-Evaluation Identity and Goal Achievement Identity and Relationships Communicating Identity to Others General Issues in Self-Presentation “Life Is a Stage”: The Dramaturgical Perspective Politeness Theory Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site Drawing People Together: Forces of Social Attraction Attraction Types of Attraction Fatal Attraction A Framework for Understanding Attraction Personal Qualities Perceptions of Reward Value Expectations Biological Aspects of Attraction Demographic Characteristics Personality Other People’s Qualities Physical Attractiveness Interpersonal Communication Skills The “Hard-to-Get” Phenomenon Qualities of the Pair Similarity: “Birds of a Feather Flock Together” Complementarity: Sometimes Opposites Attract Similarity and Complementarity in Initial versus Committed Relationships Qualities of the Physical or Social Environment Physical Environment Proximity Social Environment Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site Making Sense of Our World: Managing Uncertainty and Expectancy Violations Uncertainty Uncertainty Reduction Theory: Issues and Challenges The Motivation to Reduce Uncertainty The Relationship Between Communication and Uncertainty General Strategies for Reducing Uncertainty Secret Tests Predicted Outcome Value Theory The Theory of Motivated Information Management The Model of Relational Turbulence Expectancy Violations Expectancy Violations Theory Types of Expectancy Violations in Close Relationships Expectancy Violations and Uncertainty in Specific Contexts Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site Changing Relationships: Stages, Turning Points, and Dialectics Communication Skills Relationship Stages The “Coming Together” Stages The “Coming-Apart” Stages The Ordering and Timing of Stages Turning Points Communication-Based Turning Points Activities and Special Occasions Events Related to Passion and Romance Events Related to Commitment and Exclusivity Changes in Families and Social Networks Proximity and Distance Crisis and Conflict Perceptual Changes The Dialectical Perspective Relational Dialectics Theory Dialectical Tensions in Friendships Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site Revealing and Hiding Ourselves: Self-Disclosure and Privacy Self-Disclosure Dimensions of Self-Disclosure Self-Disclosure and Liking Risks Associated With Self-Disclosure Privacy Privacy Ownership Privacy Control Boundary Turbulence Influences on Rules for Boundary Management Negotiating Privacy Boundaries in Relationships: Challenges and Violations Topic Avoidance and Secret Keeping Topics Commonly Avoided or Kept Secret Reasons for Topic Avoidance and Secret Keeping How People Engage in Topic Avoidance Topic Avoidance During Relationship Transitions Consequences of Topic Avoidance Consequences of Secret Keeping Consequences of Revealing Secrets Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site Communicating Closeness: Affection, Immediacy, and Social Support Closeness in Relationships Physical Closeness Emotional Closeness Relational Closeness Communicating Closeness Affectionate Communication Affection Exchange Theory Communicating Affection Immediacy Behavior Verbal Immediacy Nonverbal Immediacy Cognitive Valence Theory Behavior Perception Arousal Cognition Relational Outcomes Supportive Communication The Dual Process Model of Supportive Communication Invisible Support Person-Centered Messages Nonverbal Immediacy Sex Differences in the Experience and Expression of Closeness Perceptions of Closeness Communication of Closeness Preferences for Same-Sex Versus Cross-Sex Friendships Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site Making a Love Connection: Styles of Love and Attachment What is Love? Love Versus Liking Love as a Triangle Finding Love and Falling in Love Love Styles Lee’s Love Styles Ways to Communicate Love Attachment Theory The Propensity for Forming Attachments Internal Working Models and Attachment Styles Attachment Styles in Childhood Attachment Styles in Adulthood Attachment and Relational Satisfaction Stability and Change in Attachment Styles across the Life Span Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site Communicating Sexually: The Closest Physical Encounter Sex in Relationships Sex in Short-Term and Early Dating Relationships Sex in Long-Term Relationships Sex Differences Sex in Same-Sex Relationships Sexual Attitudes Developing Sexual Attitudes and Beliefs Communication About Sex Courtship and Flirtation Communication, Sexual Satisfaction, and Relational Satisfaction Sexual Scripts Pillow Talk Sexual Coercion and Harassment Sexual Coercion Sexual Harassment Communication and Safe Sex Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site Staying Close: Maintaining Relationships Defining Relational Maintenance Behaviors Used to Maintain Relationships Prosocial Maintenance Behaviors Antisocial Maintenance Behavior Modality of Maintenance Behavior Strategic and Routine Maintenance Behaviors Maintenance Behavior in Romantic Relationships Changes in Maintenance over the Course of Romantic Relationships Maintenance in Gay and Lesbian Relationships Maintenance Behavior in Same-Sex Friendships Talking Versus Doing Men and Women are from the Same Planet Maintenance Behavior in Cross-Sex Friendships Challenges in Cross-Sex Friendships Coping with Romantic Intent Keeping Friendships Platonic Maintenance Challenges in Other Relationships Friends with Benefits Relationships Long-Distance Relationships Co-habiting Relationships Equity Theory Principles of Equity Theory Reducing Distress in Inequitable Relationships Combined Influence of Benefit-Cost Rations and Equity Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site Coping with Conflict: When Relational Partners Disagree Conflict in Relationships Defining Conflict Frequency of Conflict in Various Relationships Effects of Conflict on Relationships Conflict Styles Competitive Fighting Compromising Collaborating Indirect Fighting Avoiding Yielding Patterns of Conflict Interaction Negative Reciprocity Demand-Withdraw The Four Horseman of the Apocalypse Accommodation Explanations for Conflict Patterns Emotional Flooding Attributions Communication Skill Deficits Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site Influencing Each Other: Dominance and Power Plays in Relationships Defining Power and Related Terms The Power Principles Power as a Perception Power as a Relational Concept Power as Resource Based Power as Having Less to Lose Power as Enabling or Disabling Power as a Prerogative Interpersonal Influence Goals Making Lifestyle Changes Gaining Assistance Sharing Activities Initiating Sexual Activity Changing Political Attitudes Giving Health Advice Changing Relationships Verbal Power Ploys Verbal Influence Strategies Relational Control Moves: One-Ups and One-Downs Powerful and Powerless Speech Nonverbal Positions of Power Physical Appearance Spatial Behavior Eye Behavior Body Movements Touch The Voice Times Artifacts The Power and Influence in Families Parent and Child Relationships Traditional Versus Egalitarian Marriages Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site Hurting the Ones We Love: Relational Transgressions Hurt Feelings in Relationships Relational Transgressions Hurtful Messages Types of Hurtful Messages Responses to Hurtful Messages Deception Types of Deception Motives for Deception Deception Detection Effects of Deception on Relationships Infidelity Types of Infidelity Behavioral Cues to Infidelity Sex Differences in Reactions to Infidelity Jealousy Characteristics of Jealousy Experiencing Romantic Jealousy Communicative Responses to Jealousy Jealousy and Relational Satisfaction Sex Differences in Jealous Emotions and Communication Unrequited Love Obsessive Relational Intrusion Reasons People Use Obsessive Relational Intrusion Behavior Consequences of Obsessive Relational Intrusion Behavior Relational Violence Common Couple Violence Intimate Terrorism Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site Healing the Hurt: Relationship Repair and Reconciliation Investment Model of Relationship-Maintaining Behavior Commitment Pro-Relationship Behaviors The Model of Accommodation Destructive Behaviors Constructive Behaviors Remedial Strategies Apologies and Concessions Appeasement Explanations Denials Avoidance and Evasion Relationship Talk Forgiveness Forgiving Communication Conditions That Promote or Impede Forgiveness and Forgiving Communication Relational Reconciliation Reconciliation Strategies Reintegration in the Social Network On-Again Off-Again Relationships Relational Redefinition Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site Ending Relationships: Disengagement and Termination Why Relationships End Infidelity and Interest in a Third Party Incompatibility Alcohol and Drugs Growing Apart Loss of Love Equity Issues Related to Family Obligations Communication as a Cause of Relational Breakup Withdrawal Negative Communication Lack of Openness and Intimacy Abusive Communication The Disengagement Process A Process Model of Relational Dissolution Catastrophe Theory Fifteen Ways to Leave Your Partner Unilateral and Indirect Strategy Unilateral and Indirect Strategies Bilateral and Indirect Strategy Bilateral and Direct Strategies Outcomes: The Results of Relationships Endings Negative Outcomes of Relational Breakups Healing After a Separation Positive Outcomes of Relational Breakups Summary and Application Key Terms Discussion Questions Student Study Site

About the Author :
Laura K. Guerrero has been at Arizona State since 1996 where she teaches undergraduate and graduate level courses on relational communication, nonverbal communication, statistics, and research methods. Her research focuses on communication in close relationships, emphasizing nonverbal messages, emotion, and the "dark” and “bright” sides of interpersonal communication. She is the co-author/co-editor of Nonverbal Communication in Close Relationships (Erlbaum), The Nonverbal Communication Reader, Third Edition (Waveland Press), Nonverbal Communication (Pearson), and the Handbook of Communication and Emotion (Academic Press). Peter Andersen (PhD, Florida State University) is a professor at San Diego State University. The author of five books and more than 150 book chapters, research papers, and journal articles, he has received recognition as one of the 100 most published scholars in the field of communication. Walid A. Afifi (PhD, University of Arizona) is professor in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he teaches interpersonal communication, relational communication, nonverbal communication, and social marketing. His research revolves around people’s experience of uncertainty and their decisions to seek or avoid information in relational contexts.

Review :
"The pedagogical activities and supplements create opportunities for students to apply classroom concepts to real-life situations." "Written by leading communication scholars, this text provides an excellent blend of classic and contemporary research on communication in relationships written in an accessible style that is sure to engage students. It’s a textbook instructors can trust and students can enjoy." "The authors have conceptualized an interesting, well-written book that inspires student learning. The interdisciplinary approach of this book allows for the most influential theories and concepts to be discussed in a systematic manner." "A must read for teachers and students alike to have a better understanding of our interpersonal relationships in the new age!" "This book does a superb job in providing the most comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge about Close Relationship Communication!" "This book provides the most up to date, relatable information to current students. The book is easy to read and invites students to discover more about their own interpersonal relationships while learning more about theories that form the basis for our discipline." "A social scientific approach to interpersonal communication that is very thorough at going through much of the pertinent literature. For the social scientist, this will be an approach he/she can appreciate." "The book is user friendly and it’s very applicable." "I like the way the authors apply scholarship in an easily digestible manner." "I’ve always appreciated how the text facilitates an identification and examination of the basic elements of the human communication process. The texts connection to understanding the self, first and then how we set "roles" and "goals" that include language and verbal communication, nonverbal communication, relational messages, self-identity, perception, listening, social roles, and communication climate is great. Also, several of the activities within the text challenge students to observe and reflect on these elements as they apply to their own lives in various social contexts. The contexts students will examine because of departmental agendas include intercultural settings, family interaction, public relationships, friendships, intimate relationships, and gender communication toward social justice. Therefore, the text is ideal in aiding in recognition how the basic elements of communication and specific contexts are framed and shaped by broader cultural, historical, and social forces. Most importantly, this text provides opportunities to engage in transformative education by a thoughtful facilitation of interpersonal contexts"