Interplay: The Process of Interpersonal Communication

Packed with contemporary examples, cutting-edge research, and accessible writing, Interplay helps students apply insights from scholarship to everyday life. While highlighting the breadth of interpersonal communication research and theory, Interplay also gives students the practical skills they need to improve their own relationships.

This new edition of Interplay is the most contemporary text available. The first chapter highlights masspersonal and multimodal communication, setting the stage for integration of social media and mediated communication throughout the book. Expanded discussions of intersectionality, code-switching, disability studies, and gender and language emphasize the role of culture and identity in shaping interactions. Every chapter is full of updated features, including"Focus on Research" and "Dark Side of Communication" boxes. Students can explore and apply concepts with the viral videos and discussion questions in the new "Watch and Discuss" activities that appear in every chapter. Oxford's easy-to-use Dashboard Online Assessment system now features an integrated eBook, video clips, and interactive assignments-everything you and your students need, all in one place.

Ronald B. Adler is Professor Emeritus of Communication at Santa Barbara City College. He is coauthor of Understanding Human Communication, Eleventh Edition (OUP, 2012), Looking Out, Looking In (2011), and Communicating at Work: Principles and Practices for Business and the Professions (2010). In addition to his academic pursuits, Ron works with businesses and nonprofit agencies to improve communication among coworkers,with clients, and with the public.

Lawrence B. Rosenfeld is Professor of Communication Studies and Co- Chair of the Social- Behavioral Institutional Review Board, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. He is the author of articles that appear in journals in communication, education, social work, sport psychology, and psychology. His most recent book is When Their World Falls Apart: Helping Families and Children Manage the Effects of Disasters (2010). In 2000, Lawrence received the Donald H. Eckroyd Award for Outstanding Teaching in Higher Education from the National Communication Association, and in 2006 he received the Gerald M. Phillips Award for Applied Communication Research from the same organization.

Russell F. Proctor II is Professor of Communication Studies at Northern Kentucky University. He primarily teaches courses in interpersonal communication and interviewing, and he won NKU's Outstanding Professor Award in 1997. In addition to his work on Interplay, he is also coauthor of Looking Out, Looking In (2011). Russ has written and presented extensively on the use of feature films as instructional tools in communication courses (including Now Playing for OUP).

Preface

PART ONE: FOUNDATIONS OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

CHAPTER 1 INTERPERSONAL PROCESS
Why We Communicate
Physical Needs
Identity Needs
Social Needs
Practical Needs
The Communication Process
Early Models of Communication
Insights from the Transactional Communication Model
Communication Principles
The Nature of Interpersonal Communication
Communication Misconceptions
Communication Competence
Principles of Communication Competence
Characteristics of Competent Communication
Social Media and Interpersonal Communication
Characteristics of Social Media
Social Media and Relational Quality
Communicating Competently with Social Media

Media Clip: Solitude and Connection: Wild
Dark Side of Communication: Loneliness And The Internet: A Delicate Balance
At Work: Communication And Career Advancement
Focus on Research: Interpersonal Dimensions of Tweeting
Media Clip: Pathologically Competent: House of Cards
Assessing Your Communication: Your Use of Social Media
Focus on Research: Sidestepping Permanence: The Attraction of Snapchat
Watch and Discuss: "Men Read Mean Tweets to Female Sports Reporters"

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
KEY TERMS
ACTIVITIES

CHAPTER 2 CULTURE AND INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
Culture and Communication
Culture and Co-Culture
Intercultural Communication
Interpersonal and Intercultural Dimensions of Communication
Intercultural Differences as Generalizations
Cultural Values and Norms
High versus Low Context
Individualism versus Collectivism
Power Distance
Uncertainty Avoidance
Achievement versus Nurturing
Co-Cultures and Communication
Race and Ethnicity
Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation
Age/Generation
(Dis)abilities
Socioeconomic Status
Codes and Culture
Verbal Codes
Nonverbal Codes
Developing Intercultural Communication Competence
Motivation and Attitude
Tolerance for Ambiguity
Open-Mindedness
Knowledge and Skill
Patience and Perseverance

Media Clip: Embracing Tradition and Change: Meet the Patels
Media Clip: Straddling Cultures: Black-ish
At Work: Organizations Are Cultures
Focus on Research: Saying "I'm sorry" in Japanese and English: Different Codes
Focus on Research: Living in Another Culture: Adapting and Adopting
Watch and Discuss: "Momondo: The DNA Journey"
Assessing Your Communication: What is Your Intercultural Communication Competence?

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
KEY TERMS
ACTIVITIES

CHAPTER 3 INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION AND THE SELF
Communication and the Self-Concept
How the Self-Concept Develops
Characteristics of the Self-Concept
The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and Communication
Presenting the Self
Public and Private Selves
Characteristics of Impression Management
Face-to-Face Impression Management
Impression Management in Social Media
Impression Management and Honesty
Disclosing the Self
Models of Self-Disclosure
Benefits and Risks of Self-Disclosure
Guidelines for Self-Disclosure
Alternatives to Self-Disclosure

Focus on Research: Does Instagram = #Instasad?
Watch and Discuss: "Dove Evolution Commercial"
Media Clip: Reflecting Years of Appraisal: This Is Us
At Work: Impression Management in The Workplace
Media Clip: The Promise and Perils of Online Relationships: Catfish
Dark Side of Communication: Talking Frankly About STDs
Assessing Your Communication: Online and Offline Self-Disclosure

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
KEY TERMS
ACTIVITIES

CHAPTER 4 PERCEIVING OTHERS
The Perception Process
Reality Is Constructed
Steps in the Perception Process
Influences on Perception
Access to Information
Physiological Influences
Psychological Influences
Social Influences
Cultural Influences
Common Tendencies in Perception
We Make Snap Judgments
We Cling to First Impressions
We Judge Ourselves More Charitably Than We Do Others
We Are Influenced by Our Expectations
We Are Influenced by the Obvious
We Assume Others Are Like Us
Synchronizing Our Perceptions
Perception Checking
Building Empathy

Focus on Research: Online Channels Affect Perception
Watch and Discuss: "All That We Share"
At Work: Sexual Harassment and Perception
Media Clip: Master of Perception: Sherlock
Focus on Research: Hurtful Communication: A Matter of Perception
Dark Side of Communication: Distorting Perception: The Gaslight Effect
Media Clip: Gaining Empathy: Undercover Boss

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
KEY TERMS
ACTIVITIES


PART TWO: CREATING AND RESPONDING TO MESSAGES

CHAPTER 5 LANGUAGE
The Nature of Language
Language Is Symbolic
Language Is Rule-Governed
Language Is Subjective
Language and Worldview
The Impact of Language
Naming and Identity
Affiliation
Power and Politeness
Sexism and Racism
Precision and Vagueness
The Language of Responsibility
Gender and Language
Extent of Gender Differences
Non-Gender Influences on Language Use
Social Media and Language
Online Language and Impression Management
Online Language and Gender

Media Clip: Invented Languages: Game of Thrones
Focus on Research: The Negative Consequences of Fat Talk
At Work: Swearing on the Job
Dark Side of Communication: Sorry, Not Sorry
Assessing Your Communication: Sexist Language
Watch and Discuss: "Vague Facebook Posts-Congressional Hearings"
Media Clip: Damning with Faint Praise: Florence Foster Jenkins
Focus on Research: The Language of Online Community

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
KEY TERMS
ACTIVITIES

CHAPTER 6 NONVERBAL COMMUNICATION
Nonverbal Communication Defined
Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication
Nonverbal Communication Is Always Occurring
Nonverbal Communication Is Primarily Relational
Nonverbal Communication Is Ambiguous
Nonverbal Communication Occurs in Mediated Messages
Nonverbal Communication Is Influenced by Culture and Gender
Functions of Nonverbal Communication
Creating and Maintaining Relationships
Regulating Interaction
Influencing Others
Influencing Ourselves
Concealing/Deceiving
Managing Impressions
Types of Nonverbal Communication
Body Movement
Face and Eyes
Posture and Gestures
Touch
Voice
Distance
Territoriality
Time
Physical Attractiveness
Clothing
Physical Environment

Focus on Research: The Power of Periods. In Texting
Assessing Your Communication: Nonverbal Immediacy Behaviors
Watch and Discuss: "Body Language"
Media Clip: A Life of Deception: The Americans
Media Clip: In a Different Voice: Speechless
Focus on Research: Nonverbal Imitation: The Sincerest Form of Flattery
At Work: Let Your Voice Be Heard
Dark Side of Communication: The Inequality of "Lookism"

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
KEY TERMS
ACTIVITIES

CHAPTER 7 LISTENING: RECEIVING AND RESPONDING
The Nature of Listening
The Importance of Listening
Listening Defined
Listening Styles
The Challenge of Listening
Recognizing Barriers to Listening
Avoiding Poor Listening Habits
Components of Listening
Hearing
Attending
Understanding
Remembering
Responding
Types of Listening Responses
Silent Listening
Questioning
Paraphrasing
Empathizing
Supporting
Analyzing
Evaluating
Advising
Which Response Type to Use?

At Work: Listening on the Job
Assessing Your Communication: Your Listening Styles
Media Clip: Multifaceted Listening: The Profit
Dark Side of Communication: The Myth of Multitasking
Focus on Research: Responding Helps Speakers Tell Their Stories
Watch and Discuss: "Brené Brown on Empathy"
Media Clip: Responding Directively: Scandal
Focus on Research: Exchanging Advice Online

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
KEY TERMS
ACTIVITIES

CHAPTER 8 EMOTIONS
What Are Emotions?
Physiological Changes
Nonverbal Behavior
Cognitive Interpretations
Verbal Expression
Influences on Emotional Expression
Personality
Culture
Gender
Social Conventions and Roles
Social Media
Emotional Contagion
Expressing Emotions Effectively
Recognize Your Feelings
Choose the Best Language
Share Multiple Feelings
Recognize the Difference between- Feeling and Acting
Accept Responsibility for Your Feelings
Choose the Best Time and Place to
Express Your Feelings
Managing Emotions
Facilitative and Debilitative Emotions
Thoughts Cause Feelings
Irrational Thinking and Debilitative Emotions
Minimizing Debilitative Emotions
Maximizing Facilitative Emotions

Media Clip: Intelligence of Another Variety: The Big Bang Theory
Watch and Discuss: "The Marriage Hack"
Focus on Research: Managing Grief with Humor
At Work: Emotional Labor On The Job
Dark Side of Communication: Fictional Characters, Real Feelings: Parasocial Relationships
Assessing Your Communication: Your Emotional Intelligence
Focus on Research: When Talking About Feelings Makes Things Worse
Media Clip: Self-Talk and Resilience: Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
KEY TERMS
ACTIVITIES


PART THREE: DIMENSIONS OF INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS

CHAPTER 9 DYNAMICS OF INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS
Why We Form Relationships
Appearance
Similarity
Complementarity
Rewards
Competency
Proximity
Disclosure
Models of Relational Dynamics
Stages of Relational Development
Dialectical Tensions
Communicating About Relationships
Content and Relational Messages
Maintaining and Supporting Relationships
Repairing Damaged Relationships

Dark Side of Communication: The Anguish of Abusive Relationships
Media Clip: The Power and Peril of Disclosure: Homeland
Focus on Research: Communicating about Relational Baggage
Focus on Research: The Dialectical Tensions of Cell Phone Use
Media Clip: Finding Connection: Trainwreck
Watch and Discuss: "Couples Swap Phones and Go Through Each Other's History"
Assessing Your Communication: Relational Maintenance
At Work: Relational Repair on the Job

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
KEY TERMS
ACTIVITIES

CHAPTER 10 COMMUNICATION IN CLOSE RELATIONSHIPS: FRIENDS, FAMILY, AND ROMANTIC PARTNERS
Communication in Friendships
Types of Friendships
Friendships, Gender, and Communication
Friendship and Social Media
Communication in Successful Friendships
Communication in the Family
Creating the Family through Communication
Patterns of Family Communication
Effective Communication in Families
Communication in Romantic Relationships
Characteristics of Romantic Relationships
Effective Communication in Romantic Relationships

Watch and Discuss: "Can Men and Women Be Just Friends?"
Focus on Research: Close Friendships: State of the Union
At Work: Social Media Relationships with Coworkers
Media Clip: Voluntary Families: Finding Dory
Assessing Your Communication: Your Family's Communication Pattern
Focus on Research: Parental Disclosures with Adult Children
Media Clip: Maybe "I Do," Maybe I Don't: Married at First Sight
Dark Side of Communication: Virtually Unfaithful: Emotional Infidelity Online

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
KEY TERMS
ACTIVITIES

CHAPTER 11 MANAGING CONFLICT
What Is Conflict?
Expressed Struggle
Perceived Incompatible Goals
Perceived Scarce Resources
Interdependence
Inevitability
Conflict Styles
Avoidance (Lose-Lose)
Accommodation (Lose-Win)
Competition (Win-Lose)
Compromise
Collaboration (Win-Win)
Which Style to Use?
Conflict in Relational Systems
Complementary and Symmetrical Conflict
Serial Arguments
Toxic Conflict: The "Four Horsemen"
Conflict Rituals
Variables in Conflict Styles
Gender
Culture
Conflict Management in Practice

Focus on Research: The Dangers of Mind-Reading Expectations
Media Clip: Fighting Over Scarce Resources: Empire
Dark Side of Communication: Ghosting: The Ultimate Silent Treatment
Watch and Discuss: "Signs You're the Passive Aggressive Friend"
Assessing Your Communication: Your Method of Conflict Resolution
Focus on Research: "We Have to Talk": Men and Women in Conflict
Media Clip: Hostile Takeover: The Founder
At Work: Third-Party Dispute Resolution

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
KEY TERMS
ACTIVITIES

CHAPTER 12 COMMUNICATION CLIMATE
What Is a Communication Climate?
How Communication Climates Develop
Levels of Message Confirmation
Causes and Effects of Defensiveness
Creating Supportive Climates
Evaluation versus Description
Control versus Problem Orientation
Strategy versus Spontaneity
Neutrality versus Empathy
Superiority versus Equality
Certainty versus Provisionalism
Invitational Communication
The Language of Choice
Responding Nondefensively to Criticism

Dark Side of Communication: Cyberbullying: Inflicting Pain Online
Assessing Your Communication: Confirming and Disconfirming Communication
Focus on Research: Phubbing: Losing Out to Your Partner's Phone
Media Clip: Victimized by Aggressiveness: Moonlight
Focus on Research: A Blurt Can Hurt
Media Clip: Changing the Climate, Ever So Slowly: Doc Martin
Watch and Discuss: "Emotional Correctness"
At Work: Taking the High Road: Keeping Cool Underfire

CHECK YOUR UNDERSTANDING
KEY TERMS
ACTIVITIES

Glossary
References
Credits
Author Index
Subject Index