Instructor Wrap Up - Wood Chapter 1

Every week or so, I will post an Instructor Wrap-Up about the material covered during that week.  Last week we covered Chapter 1 in Woods text, which covered the following ideas:

Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs:
1). Physical Needs
2). Safety and Protection Needs
3). Belongingness Needs
4). Self-Esteem Needs
5). Self-Actualization Needs

Models of Interpersonal Communication
1). Linear Models
2). Interactive Models
3). Transaction Models
Click HERE for more information about these models of Interpersonal Communication. 

The Chapter 1 goes onto define Interpersonal Communication - which is KEY in your understanding of this text and the subject matter contained within.  This section covered:

1.        I-It communication occurs when we treat others like objects or non-humans.

2.         I-You communication occurs when we recognize the other as a person and treat her or him based upon a social role he or she occupies.

3.         I-Thou communication occurs when we recognize and understand an individual’s unique characteristics as well as open ourselves completely to this person.

Page 21 begins a discussion about Features of Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal communication can be defined selective, systemic, unique, processual transactions that allow people to reflect and build personal knowledge of one another and create shared meanings.

            1.         Selective – responding to specific receiver(s)

            2.         Systematic – takes place within various systems

            3.         Unique – irreplaceable

            4.         Processual – ongoing, continuous process

            5.         Transactional

6.         Individual - Interpersonal communication evolves over time, is affected by our past, and influences our future.

            7.         Personal Knowledge - Because interpersonal communication is an interaction, both parties create and interpret messages, are responsible for the communication’s effectiveness, and must get to know each other personally.

            8.         Meaning Creating - Attaching meanings to the words we exchange requires knowledge of the other person and the relationship in which we are engaged.

                                  a.         Content meanings are literal or denotative. 

                                  b.         Relational meanings are the understandings we have because of the connection we have to the other person/people involved in the interaction.

Following that section, the text covers the Principles of Interpersonal Communication (page 27).

            A.        Principle 1: We cannot NOT communicate.

B.         Principle 2: Interpersonal Communication Is Irreversible

C.        Principle 3: Interpersonal Communication Involves Ethical Choices

D.        Principle 4: People Construct Meanings In Interpersonal Communication

E.         Principle 5: Metacommunication Affects Meanings

F.         Principle 6: Interpersonal Communication Develops and Sustains Relationships

G.        Principle 7: Interpersonal Communication Is Not a Panacea

H.        Principle 8: Interpersonal Communication Effectiveness Can Be Learned