Chp 8 Interpersonal Communication in Social Relationships

Need to belong

A hypothesis that says each of us is born with a fundamental drive to seek, form, maintain, and protect strong social relationships.

Interpersonal attraction

Any force that draws people together to form a relationship.

Physical attraction

Attraction to someone's physical appearance.

Social attraction

Attraction to someone's personality.

Task attraction

Attraction to someone's ability and dependability.

Uncertainty reduction theory

A theory suggesting that people are motivatid to reduce their uncertainty about others.

Predicted outcome value theory

A theory predicting that we form relationships when we think the effort will be worth it.

Approach behaviors

communication behaviors that signal your interests in getting to know someone.

Avoidance behaviors

Communication behaviors that signal your lack of interest in getting to know someone.

Social exchange theory

A theory predicting that people seek to from and maintain relationships in which the benefits outweigh the costs.

Comparison level

Your realistic expectation of what you think you deserve from a relationship.

comparison level for alternatives

Your assessment of how good your current relationship is, compared with your other options.

Over-benefited

The state in which your relational rewards exceed your relational costs.

Under-benefited

The state in which your relational costs exceed your relational rewards.

Equity theory

A theory predicting that a good relationship is one in which your ratio of costs and rewards is equal to your partner's.

Relational maintenance behaviors

Behaviors used to maintain and strengthen personal relationships.

Peer

Someone of familiar power or status.

Social Relationships Bring Rewards

Emotional, material, health

Attraction by Similarity

social validation, genetic interests

Types of Approach Behaviors

introducing and asking about them, smiling, maintaining eye contact

How does Comparison Level influence our relationships.

What you think you deserve from a relationship and if you can do better.

Characteristics of Friendships

Voluntary, usually peers, governed by rules, differ by sex, have life span.

How do men and women view same-sex and opposite-sex friendships?

Same - men look for shared activities or interests, women- conversational and emotional expressiveness.
Opposite- men and women get chance to see things from each other's perspective. Nonromantic because: not attracted to, other's wouldn't approve, not re

Stages of friendship

Role-limited, friendly relations, moves towards friendship, nascent friendship, stabilized friendships, waning friendship

Social and task dimension. How do they affect relationships?

Social - personal relationship with co-worker Task - professional relationship. They can cross, need balance.

Two forms of sexual harassment

Quid pro quo, hostile work environment.