Contemporary Issues in Interpersonal Communication / Edition 1

by Mark P. Orbe, Carol J. Bruess

Overview

Contemporary Issues in Interpersonal Communication introduces the foundational ideas and concepts of interpersonal communication and applies them to issues and events relevant to today's college student population. The text does not simply reiterate the standard set of interpersonal communication's core ideas and theories, nor does it exclude them. Rather, authors Orbe and Bruess offer an integrated approach—both traditional and contemporary—introducing the concepts, models, and theories of the field in a way that will engage and challenge today's most culturally sensitive, technologically savvy, and forward-thinking interpersonal communication students.

The authors feature a highly diverse mix of cultural groups, fresh examples, and cutting-edge research. Written in clear, student-friendly language, the text tcnks specific communication practices regarding issues of culture, power, and technology in all contexts of interpersonal communication. The knowledge and awareness of how culture, power, and technology influence all aspects of our interpersonal interactions is essential for students seeking competence and effectiveness as interpersonal communicators.

This text is organized in three sections: Introduction to Interpersonal Communication, Interpersonal Messages, and Communication Contexts. It offers multiple pedagogical features designed to engage students in fun, meaningful, and relevant ways, eliminating the need for supplemental materials. Each chapter provides Contemporary Issues (case studies describing real-life news stories), Myths About Interpersonal Communication, Practical Research Opportunities, Self-Reflection Exercises, Applied Concept Features, and Skill Builders. In addition, each chapter also features Chapter Activities designed for in-class, out-of-class, community-based, and web-based learning as well as Suggested Contemporary Readings intended to promote opportunities for learning beyond what is covered in the text. Chapter Summaries and Key Terms are also provided.

A comprehensive Instructor's Manual/Testing Program is available electronically, which includes an in-depth explanation of how to bring service learning into the interpersonal communication classroom, including specific service-learning project assignments. There is also a dedicated Website. In addition, an Interactive Student Study Guide is available through the Website.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780195330564
Publisher:	Oxford University Press
Publication date:	11/10/2004
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	364
Product dimensions:	9.80(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.80(d)

About the Author

Western Michigan University

University of St. Thomas

Table of Contents

Part I: An Introduction to Interpersonal Communication1: An Orientation to Interpersonal CommunicationContemporary Issues: Loving Across Cultural LinesMyths About Interpersonal CommunicationWhy Study Interpersonal Communication? The Interpersonal Communication ProcessDefining Interpersonal CommunicationKey Principles of Interpersonal CommunicationPreview of Remaining Chapters2: Culture, Power, and Technology: Contemporary Issues in InterpersonalCommunicationContemporary Issues: Changing Lives Through the Power ofTechnologyMyths About Interpersonal CommunicationThree Evolving Contemporary IssuesCulture and Interpersonal CommunicationPower and Interpersonal CommunicationTechnology and Interpersonal Communication3: Self and CommunicationContemporary Issues: Self-Esteem-BasedPregnancy-Prevention ProgramsMyths About Interpersonal CommunicationSelf-ConceptSelf-Concept DevelopmentThe Importance of Social IdentitiesCommunicating SelfGeneral Self-Disclosure PatternsContemporary Issues and Communicating SelfSelf-Disclosure and Technology4: Perception and CommunicationContemporary Issues: The Power of Self-PerceptionsMyths About Interpersonal CommunicationUnderstanding Perception as a ProcessWhy Do Perceptions Differ? Common Patterns in PerceptionCultural Stereotypes: A Form of OverattributionPerceptions of TechnologyThe Power of PerceptionsPart II: Interpersonal Messages5: Language and MeaningContemporary Issues: The Importance of Language ChoicesMyths About Interpersonal CommunicationThe Nature of LanguageCharacteristics of LanguageLanguage and MeaningLanguage and CultureLanguage and PowerLanguage BiasSemantics of PrejudiceThe Dynamic Nature of Language6: Nonverbal CommunicationContemporary Issues: Use Caution When E-MailingMyths About Interpersonal CommunicationWhat Is Nonverbal Communication? Using Nonverbal CuesThe Relationship Between Nonverbal and Verbal CommunicationTypes of Nonverbal CommunicationCoenetics: Nonverbal Codes Across Cultures7: ListeningContemporary Issues: Listening in LittletonMyths About Interpersonal CommunicationListening: An Essential Interpersonal SkillListening in the Twenty-First CenturyHearing Versus ListeningMindfulness and ListeningListening: A Cultural Form of CommunicationTypes of ListeningSkills for Better Listening: Avoid Listening BlocksBarriers to Effective Listening8: Creating Positive Interpersonal ClimatesContemporary Issues: Gay Students Face Abusive SocialClimatesMyths About Interpersonal CommunicationDefining Positive Communication Climates and IncreasingCommunication CompetenceHow Does a Communication Climate Develop?9: Managing ConflictContemporary Issues: Mismanaging Emotions During ConflictMyths About Interpersonal CommunicationDefining ConflictThinking About ConflictThe Nature of ConflictDifferent Cultural PerspectivesConflict StrategiesThe Role of Emotions During ConflictCommunicating Your Emotions During ConflictAssessing Others' Emotions During ConflictCyberspace ConflictPart III: Communication Contexts10: Communicating in Personal RelationshipsContemporary Issues: E-RomanceMyths About Interpersonal CommunicationCommunication and the Development of Personal RelationshipsHow and Why We Form Personal RelationshipsRelational Maintenance: What Keeps Relationships Going?11: Communicating in the FamilyContemporary Issues: A Different Kind of FamilyMyths About Interpersonal CommunicationThe Twenty-First-Century FamilyCommunicating for Family Satisfaction: Family Rules,Rituals, Images, Stories, and Powers12: Communicating at WorkContemporary Issues: A Dream Job Goes BadMyths About Interpersonal CommunicationThe Twenty-First-Century WorkplaceBeing an Effective Communicator at WorkWork-Related RelationshipsPersonal Relationships at WorkCommunication via the GrapevineRomance in the WorkplacePower and Leadership in OrganizationsSexual HarassmentContemporary Issues and Sexual HarassmentGlossaryChapter NotesName IndexSubject Index