Communication-Midterm

Interpersonal & Small Group Lecture #3

Conflict, Technology & Family Comm

Ch. 8, 9, 12

Conflict Management Skills

Any relationship of any depth has conflict

(read that line again so that you’ll remember it!)

Myths about Conflict

• Conflict is a sign of a poor relationship

• Conflict can be avoided

• Conflict always occurs because of misunderstandings

• Conflict can always be resolved

We have conflict because the relationship is important to us!

Conflict Management Styles

• Avoidance

• Accommodation

• Competition

• Compromise

• Collaboration

Getting Better At It

• Manage Your Emotions

• Manage Information

• Be Empathetic

• Manage Goals

• Manage the Problem

No, this isn’t therapy!

Conflict- Like the other elements in Interpersonal

Communication can be worked at…

By taking conflict seriously, and being aware of what we are doing and saying during times of conflict we can become more effective at communicating what we really want out of our relationships

Ch. 9- Interpersonal Relationships

• Defined as – perception shared by 2 people of an ongoing connection that results in the development of relational expectations and varies in interpersonal intimacy.

4 Elements

• Shared Perception

• Ongoing Connection

• Relational Expectations

• Interpersonal Intimacy

Shared Perception

• Both parties perceive the ongoing relationship

“so we’re an item right?”

Ongoing Connection

• Relationship is an ever changing process

…think of all the ways your relationships shift and change…as the individuals involved shift and change personally….

Relational Expectations

• Expectations set based on patterns in your relationship

“My wife always makes the plans…”

Interpersonal Intimacy

• Degree to which relational partners mutually accept and confirm each others sense of self

How do relationships happen?

1. Relationships of circumstance

• Our lives overlap with others in some way

-family

-co-workers

-neighbors

2. Relationships of Choice

• The relationships we select to initiate, maintain, and even terminate

Ch 12

• Family

• Technology

• Relationships at work

Family

• The definition of family has developed with our ever changing culture

Who makes up YOUR family?

Improving Family Communication

• Talk about relationships and feelings

• Listen

• Support and Encourage

• Manage your conflict

…easier said than done right???

Technology

• How do you use technology these days?

-on line dating

-texting

-social networking

…and the list goes on…

Our group discussion will focus on

technology and how it impacts our

interpersonal communication

Relationships at Work

• Upward Communication

• Downward Communication

• Horizontal Communication

• Outward Communication

Upward Communication

• Communication that flows from subordinates to superiors

“How do you address your boss…what about your boss’s boss?”

Downward Communication

• Communication that flows from superiors to subordinates

“How does your boss address you…critique you…compliment you?”

Horizontal Communication

• Communication between peers in the workplace

Outward Communication

• Communication that flows to those outside the organization (like customers)