Relationship Analysis (Observation)

Dr. Harris/Relationship Analysis/Interpersonal Communication

Interpersonal Communication

COM-1090

FINAL PROJECT/Research Paper

Relationship Analysis (Observation)

200 Points Possible

Requirements:

A. You will do BOTH

1) Conduct REASEARCH about Interpersonal Relationships AND

B. ANALYZE (Observe) a relationship that you are currently having, over a one-week time period

C. This analysis (observation) begins __November 8st – and it ends Nov 15th.

a. Feel free to begin your research anytime and you can write about that prior to the

observation.

b. Please do NOT begin writing about your observation before that date.

D. You will write a complete paper on both what you have found in your research as well as in your

analysis (observations). Consequently, all the rules of writing/submitting a college-level paper

apply. Please refer to your syllabus as well as the rules discussed in class. Feel free to use this

link as a guidance: https://writingcenter.fas.harvard.edu/pages/strategies-essay-writing

E. If you just write a story about your relationship you have NOT done this assignment.

Relationship

The relationship that you will analyze (observe) can be with any ONE of the following persons:

a. Parent/Sibling

b. Close friend

c. Boyfriend/girlfriend

d. Significant other

e. Spouse

f. Older child

g. Classmate

h. Teacher

i. Co-worker/colleague

j. Sibling /Sibling

Dr. Harris/Relationship Analysis/Interpersonal Communication

Important Information:

What will this paper cover?

a. Research: o This assignment will take you through the concepts covered in Chapters 1 – 11 o Additional research outside of your textbook

b. Analysis (Observation) o Be careful who you select to analyze this relationship with. The relationship that is

most convenient might not necessarily be the relationship that is the best one to

analyze for this project.

How to do well in this written assignment?

A. Follow the instructions. Very often students do not get enough points because they do not follow the instructions.

Please follow the instructions on how to earn maximum points.

B. Show what you know. The concepts in the textbook are all covered in this paper and you have a great opportunity to

display all of the knowledge that you have gained over the semester about interpersonal

communication / interpersonal relationships.

C. Provide Context. You must provide a context for the reader to understand your paper.

Your discussion must have an introduction and background information so that the reader may

be able to understand the relationship under review. Highlight any background information

that you think may be necessary/helpful.

D. Provide Details You must integrate the research and apply the concepts to your analysis very detailed in your

analysis. Detailed means that you will:

Define:

a. Each concept must be defined before use it b. Integrate the research

Analyze:

a. Provide the theoretical framework (integrate the research) of the concept (what is the theory undergirding the concept?)

b. Extend the data / integrate the research beyond the definition c. What other information is available about the concept? Integrate the research

Relate/Apply:

a. Integrate / Apply/Relate the experience(s) that you have chosen to use from the observation during the week under review (experiential learning)

E. Page Limit a. Minimum: 8 pages b. Maximum: None

Dr. Harris/Relationship Analysis/Interpersonal Communication

F. Grammatical Errors a. Please note that it is difficult to read a paper of this magnitude loaded with grammatical

mistakes. Consequently, after the fifth (5th) grammatical error, I will return the paper to

you ungraded.

b. No resubmits: Get help with editing your papers because you will not be able to resubmit.

G. Name on Paper a. YOUR PAPER MUST HAVE A COVER PAGE WITH YOUR NAME ON IT!

H. Paper Requirements: a. Must be typed b. Font size: 12 c. Font type: Times Roman d. Double-spaced

I. Paper Format: 1. Essay Format

J. Deadline for Submitting your Paper via Blackboard

The submission link will open Thursday November 18, 2021 at 8 am

This paper is due on: Monday November 22, 2021 at 11:59 pm

K. What will you write? ONE PAPER COMBINING TWO PIECES OF WORK

A) Based on your research, you will write what you found in the data about relationships

B) Based on your analysis (observation) you will answer the questions below in an

ESSAY FORMAT

Discuss the following in detail, citing specific examples that you will be using to show how you

are applying the concepts.

Description/Background

• Provide a description/background of the relationship. Please note that unless you provide the reader with a description/background of the relationship, it will be difficult to have an accurate

picture of the parties in this analysis.

• What were some of the ways in which this individual affected your self-concept during the week under review?

• What were some of the ways in which you both displayed or communicated your emotions to one another during the week under review?

Dr. Harris/Relationship Analysis/Interpersonal Communication

• What were some of the ways in which perception impacted the relationship during the week under review?

• What were some of the ways in which non-verbal behaviors impacted your relationship during the week under review?

• What were the listening styles displayed during various conversations and interactions during the week under review?

• What is the stage of your relationship with this person? Are you both in agreement that the relationship is at this stage? Describe all the stages that this relationship has gone through and

indicate some of the characteristics that make you know you did enter those stages.

• Discuss some of the disclosure styles (and reasons for disclosures styles) used during various interactions during the week under review? Did you experience any need to access any of the

alternatives to disclosure, for example, silence, equivocating etc?

• Discuss the communication climates observed/experienced during various interactions during the week under review?

• What were some of the confirming and disconfirming messages exchanged during various interactions during the week under review?

• Discuss a conflict event that occurred over the past week. o Discuss the conflict styles displayed during any conflict over the last week

o Discuss the stages that the conflict went through

o What types of resolution were considered?

o What types of resolution (if applicable) did you ultimately reach in managing the conflict?

Important Note regarding Conflict:

a. If there was no conflict over the week under review, feel free to discuss a conflict that

happened any time prior to the week under review.

b. Please provide the historical data on the conflict so that the reader may have a better

understanding of your discussion.

c. The previous conflict that you choose to write about must be with THIS SAME PERSON.

Dr. Harris/Relationship Analysis/Interpersonal Communication

Evaluation Format:

Using the definition of detailed (provided above):

• Provide a description/background of the relationship………worth 10pts

• Provide a detailed explanation of how this person affected your self-concept during the week under review……worth 10-points.

• Provide a detailed explanation of the ways in which the two of you displayed your emotions during the week under review …worth 10-points.

• Provide a detailed explanation of the listening styles that were used by BOTH persons during

interactions over the week under review…worth 10-points.

• Provide a detailed explanation of your relationship stage during the week under review.

Remember, both parties may not necessarily agree that the relationship is at the same

stage……worth 10-points.

• Provide a detailed explanation of your disclosure styles (both parties) used during the week

under review…..worth 10-points.

• Provide a detailed explanation of the communication climates that existed during exchanges over week..…worth 10-points.

• Provide a detailed explanation of any confirming and/or disconfirming messages that were exchanged during various interactions over the week under review……worth 10-points.

• Provide a detailed explanation of the conflict event…….. worth 20-points.

• Provide a detailed explanation of your conflict style(s) during any conflict(s) over the week under review……worth 30-points.

• Provide a detailed explanation of any resolution(s) reached after the conflict over the week under review…..…worth 20-points.

REMINDERS:

a. If a conflict did not occur during the week under examination, please feel free to write about a previous conflict (that occurred sometime before) with THIS SAME PERSON.

b. If no resolution to this conflict was reached, please state so, and explain why you believe one was not reached.

Additional Information

Extra Credit Points:

You may earn a few extra credit points.

Dr. Harris/Relationship Analysis/Interpersonal Communication

I. These points are assigned at the discretion of the teacher.

II. These points will be assigned upon completion of the questions below:

o In your own words, how would you characterize this relationship that you have just evaluated? Do you believe that your partner would share your perspectives on this?

o What other communication theories, if any, apply to the relationship that may not have been covered in this paper?

o What communication insights or lessons were revealed to you, and that were not already covered in the paper?

I. Please note that this is a culminating experiential paper! It demonstrates what you have learned in this class as all the concepts are covered.

II. You may begin to create a draft of your paper (define / analyze). You must wait for the specific week of observation to apply.

III. You are responsible for knowing the information in your textbook 1) Every question in this paper, can answered with the textbook.

IV. The biggest things I want to point out to you are: 1) This exam is worth 200-points. 2) Please be reminded that after the 5th grammatical error, your paper will be returned to

you, ungraded. Make sure that you take your papers to the Writing Center or get other

writing assistance.

3) It is quite challenging to write less than 8 pages (not including your cover page) and earn your best grade. Here are the reasons why:

4) You must write an introduction of the paper as well as of the person you will be analyzing this relationship with.

5) You must provide the reader with all the information that will be necessary for the reader to understand this relationship, in your absence. For example, who is the person? What is

the nature of your relationship with the person? Why have you chosen this relationship to

analyze? Does the person know that you are doing this? (The person does not have to

know, but it is okay if he/she knows that you are doing this analysis). If the person

knows, what is the person's explicit contribution to the analysis? If the person does not

know, how do you think the person would feel if he/she finds out? And any other

information that you think will be useful to this analysis.

V. You will answer the questions based on your analysis over the week under review. In this analysis you must:

b. Define / Integrate Research: Each concept before you use it (definition of word(s)

c. Analyze / Integrate Research: Provide the theoretical framework of the concept. Extend the data beyond the definition. What other information is available about the concept?

d. Relate/Integrate/Apply: Apply/Relate the experience(s) that you have chosen to use from the observation during the week under review (experiential learning)

Please Note:

o If you just write a story about your relationship you have NOT done this assignment

Dr. Harris/Relationship Analysis/Interpersonal Communication

o Every concept that is used in this analysis is also a chapter in your textbook. You can feel free to incorporate materials from other sources as well.

o You must cite ALL sources that you use. This means if you use any resource, other than your textbook, you MUST have a Bibliography. While it is not mandatory, you are encouraged to

use other sources, other than your textbook.

o You DO NOT have to answer the questions in the order they were asked. You should answer them based on how they occurred during the week under review.

o I have created for this assignment.

o If you want your papers back after I have graded them, you can feel free to turn in your

papers with a self-addressed stamped envelope. Here is how you will NOT get your papers

back:

i. If you do not submit with a self-addressed stamped envelope

ii. If you submit it with a self-addressed sampled envelope and the postage is not enough. I

will not be responsible for adding postage.

o If you do not request your papers back then I discard them after 30 days. We have no place for

storage.

GOOD LUCK WITH THIS PAPER!