ED-D 116 Communication for Personal and

Professional Success
Week 1 – A First Look at Interpersonal Communication
 Chapter 1 A First Look at Interpersonal Communication
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Reflection Question:

• What was it about

‘communication for personal and
professional success’ that stood
out to you?

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Territory Acknowledgement

We acknowledge and respect the

lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Esquimalt)
Peoples on whose territory the
university stands and the lək̓ʷəŋən
and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose
historical relationships with the land
continue to this day.

Work Together
Bring in your good feelings
Class Overview

Course Introduction
Syllabus Overview
Chapter 1 – Part I
Syllabus Review
Which one of the following is NOT an objective of the course?
• Recognize the role of emotion and emotional self-expression in interpersonal communication.
• Identify the impact of nonverbal messages on interpersonal relationships.
• Understand the influence of appropriate self-disclosure and of effective listening on
interpersonal communication.
• Identify strategies for effective team collaboration and project management.
• Describe the dynamic nature and stages of development of interpersonal relationships.
• Differentiate effective ways of minimizing/managing interpersonal conflict (assertiveness;
win/win conflict resolution).
• Describe the various factors that shape the climate of interpersonal relationships
(confirming/disconfirming messages; defensiveness; alternatives to defensiveness).
• Demonstrate elements of the interpersonal relationship skills learned in the course.
• Describe the impact of the self-concept, of perceptions, and of language use on interpersonal
communication.
Syllabus Review
1. What percentage of the final grade is the Skills Activity worth?
a) 15%
b) 20%
c) 25%
d) 30%
2. How many exams are there in this course?
a) 2
b) 3
c) 4
d) 5
3. What happens to late assignments if no prior arrangements have been made with
the instructor?
a) They will not be accepted
b) They lose 2% per day overdue
c) They lose 5% per day overdue
d) They automatically receive a grade of "0".
Syllabus Review
• Completing any assignment late, without prior arrangements, will result in a
grade of "0" after three days.

• Each exam in this course contains 60 multiple choice questions and may
include 1-2 short answer questions.

• The Skills Activity assignment must be formatted according to APA7

guidelines.
Syllabus Review
• Exam 1 will cover content from weeks ________ to ________.

• The due date for Exam 2 is during ________.

• The Skills Activity assignment should be completed within the provided

template and should be ________ to ________ pages in length.
Syllabus Review
• What is the required textbook for the course?

• Where can you find the additional readings list and assignment instructions?

Important Tips for Success in the Course:

• Plan ahead to midterm exams – space, time
• Try to match pace (readings)
• Raise any questions or potential concerns EARLY
• Always be thinking about the content in terms of the skills activity (notes)
 Chapter 1 Learning Outcomes

1. Why We Communicate.
2. Culture and Communication.
3. The Process of Communication.
4. Communication Principles and Misconceptions.
5. The Nature of Interpersonal Communication.
6. What Makes an Effective Communicator?

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Why We Communicate

Physical needs
Identity needs
Social needs
Practical goals
Cultural needs
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• Physical Needs
– Communication is so important that its presence or
absence affects our physical health.
• For example, placing newborns immediately
in skin-to-skin contact with their mothers helps with
bonding and improves infant survival rates.
• Referred to as the Golden Hour.

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 • Physical Needs
– Studies show that:
• Socially connected live an average of
3.7 years longer than those who are
socially isolated.
• Positive interpersonal relationships in
adulthood also lead to better health.

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 • Identity Needs
– Our sense of identity comes from our communication
and interactions with others.
– Often ‘blame’ parents for being ‘messed up’: our
interactions together shaped us

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Identity Needs
• “I think, therefore I am”

• “I think and I engage with

other people, therefore I
am”
 Social Needs

• Social Needs
1. Pleasure
2. Affection
3. Companionship
4. Escape
5. Relaxation
6. Control

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 • Social Needs
– Many research studies suggest that
there is a strong link between effective
interpersonal communication and
happiness.
– More than just ‘we need to
communicate with each other more’

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 • Social Needs
– In spite of knowing that communication
is vital to social satisfaction, evidence
suggests many people aren’t very
successful at managing their interpersonal
relationships.
– People have different expectations for
what constitutes a ‘close’ relationship

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 Copyright © 2024 by Cengage Learning Canada, Inc.

Let’s Take a Self-Assessment Quiz

1. I respond with curiosity instead of defensiveness toward new information.
2. I have a positive attitude about myself and my abilities.
3. I can empathize with others.
4. I express my emotions well.
5. I express myself well.
6. I am aware of the nonverbal messages I am sending and receiving.
7. I am an effective listener.
8. I self-disclose to my friends and family.
9. I can communicate assertively when necessary.
10. I handle conflict well.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
strongly agree strongly disagree
Practical Goals
• Instrumental goals: getting things done.
• For instance, you use communication
to negotiate household duties with a
roommate.
• International students and employers
study
• Main point was around having ‘good’
communication, not necessarily
English language ability
• How, when, who

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 • Organizational Communication Theory
– Tells us that communication activities
create patterns that
• affect organizational life.
• create organizational cultures that are
created through communication
processes.

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Our Needs

• Through
communication,
we meet our
• physical, safety, social,
and self-esteem needs
and rise to self-
actualization.

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Rethinking Maslow’s Hierarchy
What Does ‘Culture’ Mean?
 • Cultures and Co-Cultures
• Is the complex system of
• learned values, norms, traditions, languages,
and symbols shared by a group of people.
• Specific culture is a matter of both perception
and definition.

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Cultures and Co-Cultures

• Within a society, • For example:

co-cultures have • Age (e.g., teen, older adult)
different • Occupation
communication • Sexual and/or romantic
practices. identity
• Physical disability
• Religion
• Activity (e.g., biker, gamer)

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“Wig”
 • Intercultural Communication as
Interpersonal Communication
• It occurs when members from two or more
cultures/co-cultures interact in a way that is
influenced by their different symbol systems
and cultural perceptions.
• Applies to verbal and non-verbal
communication.

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The Process of Communication
• A Linear View
• Communication as a
one-way event
where a message flows
from the sender
to the receiver.
• Referred to as a linear
communication model.

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 • A Linear View
– It happens when we text.
– But it is an inadequate communication
form. Why?
– It lacks the nonverbal cues available in
interpersonal, face-to-face communication.

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 • A Transactional View
– The transactional communication model
expands the linear model.
– Captures the complicated nature of
human communication.
– The simultaneous sending and receiving
of messages in an ongoing, irreversible
process.

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The Process of
Communication

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 A Transactional View
• Environment
– The field of experiences
that lead a person to
make sense of
another’s behaviour.
• Physical
environments
• Personal experiences
• Cultural experiences
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 A Transactional View
• Noise
– External, physiological,
or psychological
distractions that
interfere with the
accurate transmission
and reception of
a message.

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Communication Principles
and Misconceptions
Five Communication Principles
Can be intentional or unintentional.

Communication
is irreversible.

It’s impossible not to communicate.

Communication is unrepeatable.

Communication has content and a relational dimension

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It’s Impossible Not to Communicate
Communication is
Not Repeatable
• Even if we wanted to go back in time or
repeat an experience, we can’t
Communication Has a Content and
Relational Dimension
 More communication is always better

True or False Meanings are in words

Successful communication always

Guess if the involves shared understanding
statements on the
right are true or false A single person or event causes
another’s reaction

Communication can solve all problems

There are fewer issues when using

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online/social media communication
 The Nature of Interpersonal
Communication

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 • Two Views of Interpersonal Communication
1. Quantitative
– Interpersonal communication, usually face-to-
face between two individuals.
– Dyad: Two people interacting.
– Impersonal Communication: Treating others as
objects rather than as individuals.

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 • Two Views of Interpersonal Communication
2. Qualitative Interpersonal Relationships
– Parties consider one another as
unique individuals rather than objects.
– Characterized by minimal use of
stereotyped labels.

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 1. Uniqueness (relational
culture)
Characteristics
of Qualitative 2. Irreplaceability
Interpersonal 3. Interdependence
Relationships 4. Disclosure
5. Intrinsic rewards

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 The Nature of Interpersonal Communication
– Not either Interpersonal Impersonal
interpersonal or
impersonal
– Continuum
– Balance changes with
circumstances
– Balance changes with
time

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 What Makes an Effective
Communicator?

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 • Communication Competence
– The ability to accomplish
one’s personal goals in a
manner that maintains or
What Makes an enhances the relationship
Effective in which it occurs.
Communicator? – There is no “ideal” way to
communicate
– Competence is
situational.
– Competence can be
learned.
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1-57

Characteristics of Competent
Communicators

A WIDE RANGE OF ABILITY TO CHOOSE THE SKILL AT PERFORMING COGNITIVE COMPLEXITY EMPATHY SELF-MONITORING
BEHAVIOURS MOST APPROPRIATE BEHAVIOUR
BEHAVIOUR

COMMITMENT

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Self-Monitoring
Morgan: Hello, Nia! | have been so excited Morgan: Really? I thought just the opposite!
about this meeting. I'm glad to finally meet In our meetings, you've always been so
you face-to-face, our encounters have been incredibly friendly, open, and incredibly
very productive and very pleasant. So, thanks helpful. Was it something I said? (I wonder if I
for coming in today! We're going to be joined offended her in any way?)
by the rest of the staff in just a little bit, about Nia: No, not at all. I guess I was a bit nervous
10 minutes, but I wanted to get your initial about coming in today. You know how
thoughts about this project. I really value your imagination gets in the way of reality. I am
judgement. really looking forward to working with you
Nia: (This is not what I expected! He's actually and your team on this new project! (Boy, did I
quite nice!) Hi Morgan, thank you for the really misjudge him!)
warm welcome! I was not sure what to
expect. Morgan: (I am so relieved | stayed calm and
didn't react defensively!) Great! Let's go meet
Morgan: What do you mean? Aaliyah and Omar.
Nia: Oh! I just mean our discussions have
always been so business-like over the phone. I
wasn't sure if our chemistry would fit. (Okay
Nia, watch your words! | should keep my
mouth shut.)
Competence in
Intercultural
Communication
• Motivation
• Tolerance for ambiguity
• Open-mindedness
• Knowledge and Skill
– Passive observation
– Active strategies
– Self-disclosure
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 (option b)
Here to
Everything
(option a)
chat if you
Cool
OK?
need it

Yup
 Chapter 1 Learning Outcomes

• Reflection Question: What was it about ‘communication for personal and

professional success’ that stood out to you?

1. Why We Communicate.
2. Culture and Communication.
3. The Process of Communication.
4. Communication Principles and Misconceptions.
5. The Nature of Interpersonal Communication.
6. What Makes an Effective Communicator?

1-66 Copyright © 2024 by Cengage Learning Canada, Inc.

Wrap-Up
Any questions?

How are we all feeling about the course?

Reminders:
• Complete Week 1 activities (by end of this week)
• Review Week 2 readings before next class