comm paper
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socpenetrationslide.pptxCOM 203: Introduction to Communication
Week 4, Day 1, 2/13
Agenda
Paper 1 due
Review concepts of interpersonal communication
Discuss theories that help us understand interpersonal communication
Uncertainty, Social Penetration
Review for Quiz 1
Reminder:
Review guide is on Blackboard
THE VALUE OF RELATIONSHIPS
Six Provisions of Relationships
What do relationships offer us?
Attachment
Reassurance of Worth
Guidance
Reliable Alliance
Social Integration
Opportunity to Provide Nurturance
THE ROLE OF
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION
We use interpersonal communication to…
Engage others
Manage relationships
Disengage from relationships
Common terms
Attachment: relationships linking partners through a sense of security
Exclusive, persistent, provide security
Affiliation: relationships linking partners through a sense of alliance
Aggregate, interrupted/change, satisfaction-seeking
Dyad: two people communicating interpersonally
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
Created by Berger and Calabrese
Addresses the idea that we use communication to predict and explain the behavior of others in the initial stages of a relationship.
Assumption that when we first meet people we are primarily concerned with reducing uncertainty about them
Want to increase predictability about the behavior of both ourselves and others in the interaction.
Definition of Uncertainty
What is uncertainty in relationships?
“….inability to predict or explain the attitudes and/or behavior of someone.”
High Uncertainty: feeling unsure or insecure about your ability to predict or explain someone’s attitudes and behaviors.
Low Uncertainty: feeling confident in your ability to predict and explain someone’s behavior, often because you believe you know someone well.
Motivations in URT
Incentives
Is the other person somehow rewarding to you?
Deviance
Are you motivated if the other acts in unexpected ways or violates rules or social norms?
Prospect of Future Interaction
Do you expect to interact with this person in the future?
Information-Seeking Strategies
Passive Strategies: Observe the
other in different social situations.
Active Strategies: Ask others about
the person of interest.
Interactive Strategies: Engage the
person in conversation and ask
questions to reduce discomfort.
Uncertainty Reduction in Established Relationships
While the theory originally was created to explain uncertainty in initial relationships it has since been extended to include established ones.
The need to reduce uncertainty in established relationships often occurs do to:
-Various stages in the relationship
-After particular events
Six Major Uncertainty Increasing Behaviors in Established Relationships
Research has suggested that there are six uncertainty increasing behaviors:
1) Competing Relationships
2) Unexplained loss of contact or closeness
3) Sexual behavior
4) Deception
5) Change in personality/value
6) Betraying confidence
Uncertainty Reduction Strategies in Established Relationships
“Secret tests”
1) Asking third party tests
- similar to active strategy…Test partners friends/family
2) Directness tests
- Similar to interactive strategy
3) Triangle tests
- creating a three person triangle to test partner’s commitment
4) Separation tests
- Creating physical distance between each other or reducing contact
Uncertainty Reduction Strategies in Established Relationships
5) Endurance tests
- Increasing the costs or reducing the rewards
6) Public presentation tests
- observing the others reaction to the use of certain relational labels
7) Indirect suggestion tests
- Bringing up a topic without taking direct responsibility. Usually involves hinting or joking
Social Penetration Theory
Developed by Altman and Taylor
Social Penetration Theory says that relationships move from initial interaction to greater stability through interpersonal communication.
This theory, also known as the “Onion Theory” (because of the many layers to a relationship), is based on a number of assumptions.
Assumptions of SPT
Relationships progress from non-intimate to intimate.
Progress is generally systematic and predictable.
Relationship development includes dissolution and depenetration (deterioration of the relationship).
Self-disclosure is at the heart of relational development.
See handout for self-disclosure activity
SPT as the ONION Model
The peeling away of the onion’s layers—movement from impersonal to more personal communication
Guided by our culture’s norm of reciprocity: when we reveal something about ourselves, the other person will typically respond with similar information.
SPT as the ONION Model
Relationships, like a halved onion:
Depth—how personal is the shared information
Breadth—the number of topics that can safely be discussed.
Four Stages of Social Penetration Theory
Orientation
Exploratory Affective Exchange
Affective Exchange
Stable Exchange
Orientation
Interaction between people who do not know one another.
There is little sharing of personal information, and communication is based on social convention.
Conversations are scripted and superficial.
Exploratory Affective Exchange
Communication here is more open and comfortable, less scripted.
The shared information goes beyond the norm-approved small talk of the previous stage, but still remains at the periphery.
Affective Exchange
Communication is characterized by a good deal of self-disclosure.
Breadth and depth of topics increase.
Stable Exchange
You and your partner can and do talk about everything.
Communication here is rich, open, and free across all the onion’s levels.
Review for Quiz 1
Quiz will start at start of class
30 minutes to take the quiz
Questions on concepts??
Next time…
Quiz 1
Continue discussions on interpersonal and relational communication
Please finish reading Ch. 6
