Interpersonal Communication: Relating to Others, 5th Edition

Interpersonal Communication offers a blend of theory and skills that the reader 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 a key emphasis on diversity with examples drawn from a variety of age and ethnic groups and special boxes that focus on gender and diversity issues. A chapter on intercultural communication supplements this integral material by relating it to the “other-oriented” approach.

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.