Communication
and
Relationships
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Understanding Relationships: Definition, Aspects, Formation, and Maintenance, Study notes of Communication and Development studies
The concept of relationships, their aspects, formation, and maintenance. It defines relationships as ongoing contact and communication with another involving emotional closeness. Various relationship theories, including social exchange and equity, and provides insights into forming and maintaining relationships. It also covers the characteristics of friendships and different types of relationships.
Typology: Study notes
2010/2011
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Communication
and
Relationships
Inventorying
relationships
- (^) Blank paper
- (^) Circle in center
- (^) Your name in it
- (^) Draw names of people with whom you have a significant relationship
Al
Mother Wife Brother Son 1 Son 2 5 grandchildren Department chairman colleague Three couples Son 2
Consensus
definition:
relationships
A relationship is …
Ongoing contact/communication with another that involves some degree of emotional closeness
Relationship
aspects
- Can be of almost any duration
- Face-to-face or mediated
- Can involve contact of almost any frequency
- Generally viewed in one-on-one contexts
- Each one is unique
- Interpersonal comm. used to grow … manage/ maintain … end relationships
Relationships fill critical
needs
- (^) Human need to belong – hypothesis that we’re hard- wired to seek, form, maintain, protect strong social relationships
- (^) Provides sense of security
- (^) Gives us feelings of being accepted
- (^) Enables us to form, hone our self-concept (our sense of who we are)
Relationships offer big
rewards
- (^) Emotional rewards
- (^) Encouragement when we need it
- (^) Security
- (^) Happiness
- (^) Affirmation
- (^) Material rewards
- (^) Career advancement
- (^) Money, other assistance
Lack of relationships: the harshest of punishments
But there are costs …
- (^) Need to invest time in a relationship – even
when we’d rather be alone
- (^) Must provide same support, encouragement
as they do for us
- (^) Must do favors of all kinds
- (^) Lend money
- (^) Babysit their kids
- (^) Even help them move …
Forming relationships
- (^) Attraction theory
- (^) Any force that draws two people together emotionally in some way
- (^) Mentors, coworkers, family members, sex partners
Forming relationships
- (^) Attraction can be based on
- (^) Physical appearance
- (^) Personality
- (^) Proximity (internet may be affecting this)
- (^) Similarity (a lot in common)
- (^) Complementarity (differences seen as positive)
Theories addressing
relationships
Social exchange theory
- (^) We seek, form, maintain relationships if we believe the benefits outweigh the costs
- (^) Comparison level – a sense of what you think you deserve from the friendship
- (^) Comparison level for options (what are your alternatives to this person?)
Theories addressing
relationships
Social exchange theory
- (^) Helps explain why people remain in abusive relationships - (^) May determine benefits outweigh the cost of being abused (comparison) - (^) May be fear of insecurity, embarrassment, financial problems of leaving (comparison level for options)
How we maintain
relationships
- (^) Positivity – behaviors that make people feel comfortable around us
- (^) Openness – willing to discuss relationship with other person, learn more about his/her views on the relationship
- (^) Assurances – verbal and nonverbal behaviors that reassure the other person about their faithfulness and commitment
Characteristics of
friendships
- (^) Governed by rules/etiquette, e.g.
- (^) Don’t criticize friend in public
- (^) Stand up for friend
- (^) Trust each other
- (^) Offer help when needed
- (^) Provide emotional support
- (^) Don’t be jealous of person’s other friends