Real Communication An Introduction

211

A Study Tool

Now that you have finished reading this chapter, you can:

Explain key aspects of interpersonal relationships:

c Interpersonal relationships, the interconnections

between two individuals, are influenced by inter-

personal communication, the exchange of verbal

and nonverbal messages between people who share

meanings and accomplish social goals (p. 182).

c We all have a complex relational network or web

of relationships. We have family relationships,

friendship, social relationships romantic partners,

and relationships we establish and maintain online

(pp. 182–185).

c Love is a deep affection for another person with

varying degrees of passion, commitment, and inti-

macy, or closeness and understanding (p. 186)—

and is important to romantic relationships.

c Social information processing theory explains

that virtual relationships develop much like face-

to-face contact but the process often takes longer to

become more intimate. Online relationships have the

potential to develop even more personal and intimate

relationships than face-to-face ones, a phenomenon

known as hyperpersonal communication

(pp. 187–188).

Describe why we form relationships:

c Relationship formation requires either physical or

virtual proximity, or nearness (pp. 189–190).

c Physical, intellectual, and social attraction moti-

vates relationship formation (p. 190).

c Similarity often increases attraction (pp. 190–191).

c Humans have a natural need for companionship

and inclusion—a need to share our lives with

others (p. 191).

c We form relationships for intellectual, emotional,

and physical stimulation (p. 192).

c Relationships help us accomplish goals (p. 192).

List ways to manage relationship dynamics:

c Social exchange theory (p. 193) explains how we

balance the advantages and disadvantages in our

relationships.

c Rewards are what make you feel good about the

relationship and may be extrinsic, instrumental, or

intrinsic. Costs are aspects of the relationship that

upset you (p. 193).

c According to uncertainty reduction theory, a

relationship priority is to decrease the uncertainty

between partners through the use of passive strat-

egies, which involve observing others without ac-

tually interacting (p. 195), active strategies, which

involve seeking information from a third party

(p. 196), and interactive strategies, which involve

communicating directly with the person (p. 196).

c Relational dialectics theory holds that dialectical

tensions arise when opposing or conflicting goals

exist in a relationship (p. 196).

c Individuals may struggle to find a balance between

independence and dependence, openness and closed-

ness, and predictability and novelty (pp. 196–198).

Describe the factors that influence self-disclosure:

c Social penetration theory explains how relational

partners move toward intimacy, (p. 199).

c Communication privacy management theory

helps explain how people perceive the information

they hold about themselves and how they disclose

it (pp. 199–200). Boundary turbulence arises

when violations make it necessary to readjust the

need for disclosure versus privacy (p. 201).

c Strategic topic avoidance is used to maneuver the

conversation away from topics that make people

feel vulnerable (p. 201).

Outline the predictable stages of most relationships:

c Turning points are events or changes important

to relationship definition (p. 202).

c The initiating stage is the first contact (p. 203).

c In the exploratory stage, there is superficial com-

munication (p. 203).

c More self-disclosure occurs in the intensification

stage (p. 203).

c In the stable stage, expectations are accurate and

realistic. We see partners integrating, or becoming

one, and bonding, sharing messages about their

relationship with the world (pp. 203–204).

c In the declining stage, uncertainty events, inter-

ference from outside the relationship, and unmet

expectations take a toll, though repair tactics may

reverse the decline (pp. 204–207).

c In the termination stage, the relationship fades

away or is unexpectedly terminated by one partner

(p. 207).

c Reconciliation is a repair strategy for rekindling

relationships (pp. 207–208).

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