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SEMINAR 2
“What is Interpersonal Communication?”
SEMINAR QUESTIONS
(BE THINKING ABOUT THESE … )
How does each model of communication build
upon the work of previous theories?
 What does it mean to be a "skilled"
communicator--in personal interactions? Social
interactions? Professional interactions?
Interactions with people from diverse
backgrounds?
 In which context(s) do you consider yourself to be
a skilled communicator? Example(s)?
 Which skill(s) do you most need to improve? In
what context(s)? Why? How do you plan to do
this?

SEMINAR OVERVIEW

Seminar questions

Pop quiz! (Don’t worry; it’s not graded)


Discuss some key points from this week’s
reading.
Read a brief case study & discuss how you would
handle it
POP QUIZ
QUESTION 1
Although Kenyea likes where she works, she
doesn't find her job very challenging. She decides
to take MBA classes at night to more fully use
and develop her talent and potential. Kenyea is
attempting to fulfill her ____ needs.
A. Self Actualization
B. Safety
C. Living in a diverse world
D. Self-esteem
E Belonging
Maslow’s
Hierarchy
of Needs
QUESTION 2
The use of jargon can result in ____ noise.
A. Psychological
B. Physical
C.
Semantic
D. Physiological
E. Electronic
CORRECT ANSWER: C. SEMANTIC NOISE

“Noise” refers to
anything that gets in
the way of
understanding and
communication
(Wood, 2010).

1.
2.
3.
4.
Four types of noise:
Phsysiological
Physical
Semantic
Psychological
QUESTION 3
____ models of communication added “Analysis”
and “fields of experience” to earlier models, but
still portrayed communication as a sequential
process.
A. Interconnective
B. Transactional
C. Linear
D. Relational
E. Interactive
CORRECT RESPONSE: E. “INTERACTIVE”


A model is a
framework that we
use to understand and
think about how
something works.
How we even think
about communication
limits how we can talk
about and study it.

We’ll go over different
theories and models of
communication right
after our quiz.
QUESTION 4
The ability to effectively adapt messages to
others is called:
A. Dual perspective
B. Monitoring
C. Person-centeredness
D. Analysis
E. Metacommunication
ANSWER: A. PERSON CENTEREDNESS

Being able to adapt
communication
appropriately is one
guideline for effective
communication.

We’ll go over some
more guidelines later
in seminar. 
ONE PRINCIPLE OF INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION IS ____, WHICH MEANS THAT
ONCE WE SAY SOMETHING TO ANOTHER
PERSON, WHAT WE SAID BECOMES PART OF THE
RELATIONSHIP.
A.
B.
C.
D.
E.
We cannot not communicate
Interpersonal communication involves ethical
choices
Interpersonal communication effectiveness can
be learned
Metacommunication affects meaning
Communication is irreversible
AND THE ANSWER IS …



E. Communication is irreversible.
Basically, you can’t “take back” what you’ve said
or done. It becomes part of a relationship.
Each principle is key to understanding and
improving communication.
HERE’S AN EASY ONE …

A.
B.
One style of communication is best to use in all
situations.
True
False
ANOTHER GOOD REASON TO TAKE THIS
CLASS …
People who lack strong interpersonal
relationships have a higher rate of heart disease
than people who have healthy social networks.
A. True
B. False

BACK TO THE “MODELS”
Transactional models of communication do not
account for noise in our interactions with others.
 True
 False
TWO MORE QUESTIONS …
According to Buber, I-Thou communication is the
highest form of human dialogue.
 True
 False
LAST QUESTION …
In a true interpersonal relationship, power does not
exist.
 True
 False
WHAT IS A MODEL?
A model is a framework
that we use to
understand and think
about how something
works.
LINEAR MODELS
Shortcomings:
Sender
One-directional
 Passive listeners
 No nonverbal cues
 Sequential
communication

Receiver
INTERACTIVE MODELS

Message, decoder,
encoder, feedback,
common experience
Shortcomings:
 Too sequential
 Don’t account for
change over time.
 Don’t account for
multiple sources.
TRANSACTIONAL MODELS



Much more than just
exchanging info
Roles are always
changing
No distinction
between sender and
receiver
o
Communication
always happens
within in a system
WHY DO MODELS MATTER?


How does each model of communication build
upon the work of previous theories?
Why is it important to think of communication
within a particular model?
QUESTION TO CONSIDER:

What does it mean to be a "skilled"
communicator--in personal interactions? Social
interactions? Professional interactions?
Interactions with people from diverse
backgrounds?
COMMUNICATION COMPETENCE
1.
2.
Developing a range of communication skills
Adapting communication appropriately
1.
3.
Engaging in dual perspective
1.
4.
How can you do this?
Monitoring communication
1.
5.
Person-centeredness
Observe and regulate
Committing to effective and ethical
interpersonal communication – invest energy
CASE STUDY: LAURA AND ANNA
What should Laura’s goals for communication
be when she meets Anna?

How can Laura engage in dual perspective
during their conversation (i.e., understanding
both her and Anna’s thoughts, feeling and points
of views)?
What are some ways Laura could monitor her
communication during her conversation with
Anna? For example, how can she prevent
herself from getting defensive?
Given what you know, what specific
approach/skills should Laura use with
Anna when they meet?
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS …



What does it mean to be a "skilled"
communicator--in personal interactions? Social
interactions? Professional interactions?
Interactions with people from diverse
backgrounds?
In which context(s) do you consider yourself to be
a skilled communicator? Example(s)?
Which skill(s) do you most need to improve? In
what context(s)? Why? How do you plan to do
this?