Interpersonal Messages : Communication and Relationship

A new chapter-opening feature highlights a photo from a current television show to illustrate an interpersonal communication concept or issue; a follow-up activity appears at the end of the chapter. By using television as a laboratory for studying interpersonal relationships we encourage you to analyze your own interpersonal communication and become a better communicator.

A new theme, interpersonal politeness has been added to this edition. Communication and business professionals are coming to realize that politeness is not just about being a nice person it is also about being a better communicator. This new edition discusses the role of politeness in interpersonal communication and offers practical advice for how you can approach your interpersonal communication situations in a polite and effective way.

The all-important topics of impression formation and management and the practical strategies for forming impressions of others and for communicating the impressions you want others to have of you are now covered in a new chapter on perception and self.

A new chapter on emotional messages covers both the principles of emotions and emotional messages and the obstacles that can get in your way when you are trying to craft your communication messages. It also offers advice to help you respond to the emotions of others.

Chapter 8 has been totally revised and now addresses some of the important but little discussed topics of the art of conversation. It offers practical advice you can use in any number of communication situations you encounter everyday: make small talk, introduce people, offer excuses and apologies, compliment another, and effectively give advice.

To recognize the importance of establishing effective relationships, this edition offers two

chapters on relationships. Chapter 9 covers the advantages and disadvantages of forming relationships, the lifecycle of relationships, and the special circumstances of the dark side of relationships. Chapter 10 will help you understand relationship basics, the theory behind them, and how to apply that theory to your own relationships.

Throughout the text, we have stressed the application of the principles and theories covered in each chapter to making your own everyday interpersonal interactions more effective, whether with friends, lovers, family, or workplace colleagues.