Unit 5: Interpersonal Communication

Overview

Interpersonal communication is central to how we navigate the world. This communicative process shapes our relationships, careers, and wellbeing. It is not just about exchanging words — it is about the deeper connections and cultural contexts that influence every interaction. This unit explores the complexity of interpersonal communication, from understanding emotions and managing conflict to the delicate art of self-disclosure. This unit will provide insights into the dynamics that govern our conversations, revealing how effective communication can enhance wellbeing, create bonds, and influence success in different areas of life.

We’ll start by looking at the functional goals of communication from accomplishing everyday tasks to strengthening relationships and presenting ourselves in specific ways. These concepts are grounded in theories like Social Penetration Theory, which likens self-disclosure to peeling layers of an onion, and the Johari Window, a tool to understand what we share with others and what remains hidden. These theories — and others addressed below — highlight how strategic communication helps us navigate the balance between being open and maintaining privacy so that we can create connections that feel authentic and meaningful.

The unit also addresses managing emotions and conflict, which are two critical aspects of interpersonal communication. We’ll explore how our emotions, shaped by culture and past experiences, play out in everyday interactions and how they can strengthen or strain our relationships. Through a study of conflict styles and emotional intelligence, you’ll learn practical strategies for managing disagreements, expressing feelings, and responding to others empathetically. This unit is designed to help you develop not just competence, but confidence, in communicating across a variety of contexts, ultimately preparing you to engage more deeply and successfully with the people in your life.

Topics

There are four topics in Unit 5, including detailed consideration of key theories that explain how interpersonal communication shapes and is shaped by our interactions. Together, the discussion of theory and practice will help you to complete the quiz and assignment for this unit.

Unit 5 contains the following topics:

• Topic 1: Principles of Interpersonal Communication
• Topic 2: Conflict and Interpersonal Communication
• Topic 3: Emotions and Interpersonal Communication
• Topic 4: Self-Disclosure and Interpersonal Communication

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit, you should be able to:

1. Define interpersonal communication.
2. Discuss the functional and cultural aspects of interpersonal communication.
3. Define interpersonal conflict.
4. Compare and contrast the five styles of interpersonal conflict management.
5. List strategies for effectively managing conflict.
6. Explain the evolutionary and cultural connections to emotions.
7. Discuss how we can more effectively manage our own and respond to others’ emotions.
8. Explain the connection between social penetration theory, social comparison theory, and self-disclosure.
9. Discuss the process of self-disclosure, including how we make decisions about what, where, when, and how to disclose.

Activities and Graded Assessments

Activities

Graded Quizzes and Assignments

At the end of the unit, please open your Moodle course and complete the following assessment(s):

• Quiz 5 (3%)
• Assignment 2: Johari Window (11%)

Media Attributions

Bye, R. (2017, February 1) Desk with computer and many personal items [Photograph]. Unsplash. https://unsplash.com/photos/person-using-computer-on-brown-wooden-table-BY34glOW7wA