Interpersonal Communication Processes

You have seen some of these concepts already, but this page reinforces the elements of interpersonal communications and relationship-building.

Principles of Interpersonal Communication

Key Takeaways

  • Getting integrated: Interpersonal communication occurs between two or more people whose lives are interdependent and mutually influence one another. These relationships occur in academic, professional, personal, and civic contexts, and improving our interpersonal communication competence can also improve our physical and psychological health, enhance our relationships, and make us more successful in our careers.

  • There are functional aspects of interpersonal communication.

    • We "get things done" in our relationships by communicating for instrumental goals such as getting someone to do something for us, requesting or presenting information, and asking for or giving support.
    • We maintain our relationships by communicating for relational goals such as putting your relational partner's needs before your own, celebrating accomplishments, spending time together, and checking in.
    • We strategically project ourselves to be perceived in particular ways by communicating for self-presentation goals such as appearing competent or friendly.

  • There are cultural aspects of interpersonal communication.

    • We create relationship cultures based on the relationship schemata we develop through our interactions with our larger society and culture.
    • We engage in relationship storytelling to create a sense of stability in the face of change, to test our compatibility with potential relational partners, and to create a sense of solidarity and belonging in established relationships.
    • We create personal idioms such as nicknames that are unique to our particular relationship and are unfamiliar to outsiders to create cohesiveness and solidarity.
    • We establish relationship routines and rituals to help establish our relational culture and bring a sense of comfort and predictability to our relationships.