Interpersonal Communication: Everyday Encounters / Edition 6

by Julia T. Wood

Overview

This is a theoretically unified and pragmatically rich introduction to the concepts, principles, and skills of interpersonal communication in a multicultural society. This text shows how interpersonal communication theory and skills pertain to students’ daily encounters with others.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780495567646
Publisher:	Cengage Learning
Publication date:	01/26/2009
Edition description:	Older Edition
Pages:	368
Product dimensions:	7.90(w) x 9.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Julia Wood joined the faculty at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill when she was 24. During her 37 years on the faculty, she taught classes and conducted research on personal relationships as well as gender, communication and culture. She was named the Lineberger Distinguished Professor of Humanities and the Caroline H. and Thomas S. Royster Distinguished Professor of Graduate Education. In addition to publishing 25 books and 100 articles and book chapters, she has presented more than 100 papers at professional conferences and campuses around the country. Her accolades include 14 awards honoring her teaching and 16 awards recognizing her scholarship. She received her B.A. from North Carolina State University, her M.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and her Ph.D. from The Pennsylvania State University.

Table of Contents

PART I: THE FABRIC OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION. Introduction: Starting The Conversation. 1. A FIRST LOOK AT INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION. The Interpersonal Imperative. Defining Interpersonal Communication. Models of Interpersonal Communication. Principles of Interpersonal Communication. Guidelines for Interpersonal Communication Competence. 2. COMMUNICATION AND THE CREATION OF SELF. What Is The Self? Guidelines For Improving Self-Concept. 3. PERCEPTION AND COMMUNICATION. The Process Of Human Perception. Influences On Perception. Guidelines For Improving Perception and Communication. 4. THE WORLD OF WORDS. The Symbolic Nature Of Language. Principles Of Verbal Communication. Symbolic Abilities. Speech Communities. Guidelines For Improving Verbal Communication. 5. THE WORLD BEYOND WORDS. Defining Nonverbal Communication. Principles Of Nonverbal Communication. Types Of Nonverbal Communication. Guidelines For Improving Nonverbal Communication. 6. MINDFUL LISTENING. The Listening Process. Obstacles To Effective Listening. Forms Of Nonlistening. Adapting Listening to Communication Goals. Guidelines for Effective Listening. PART II: WEAVING COMMUNICATION INTO RELATIONSHIPS. 7. EMOTIONS AND COMMUNICATION. Emotional Intelligence. The Nature Of Emotions. Obstacles To Effective Communication Of Emotions. Guidelines For Communicating Emotions Effectively. 8. COMMUNICATION CLIMATE: THE FOUNDATION OF PERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS. Elements Of Satisfying Personal Relationships. Confirming And Disconfirming Climates. Guidelines For Creating And Sustaining Healthy Climates. 9. MANAGING CONFLICT IN RELATIONSHIPS. Principles Of Conflict. Approaches To Conflict. Social Influences On Conflict.Communication Patterns During Conflict. Guidelines For Effective Conflict Communication During Conflict. 10. FRIENDSHIP IN OUR LIVES. The Nature Of Friendship. The Development And Rules Of Friendship. Pressures On Friendships. Guidelines For Communication Between Friends. 11. COMMITTED ROMANTIC RELATIONSHIPS. Committed Romantic Relationships. The Organization Of Romantic Relationships. Long-term Commitments. Challenges To Sustaining Romantic Relationships. Guidelines For Communication Between Romantic Partners. EPILOGUE: CONTINUING THE CONVERSATION. Communication Creates and Reflects Identity. Interpersonal Communication Is Central To Relationships. Interpersonal Communication Takes Place In A Diverse Social World. The Road Ahead. GLOSSARY. REFERENCES. SUBJECT INDEX.

Editorial Reviews

This textbook focuses on the structure of interpersonal communications and the role of such communications in relationships. It integrates theories, research, and skills from several disciplines. Chapters consider the construction of the self, the interplay between perception and communication, words and other means of communication, the significance of listening, emotions, conflict, friendships, and committed romantic relationships. Wood teaches at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Booknews

I think the approach taken by the textbook is a good combination of communication theory and practical application of interpersonal communication principles. This makes the text easy to read and provides great examples and exercises to practice the concepts discussed so that students learn how to adapt their communication skills. The instructor supplements also provide everything an instructor needs to develop and maintain their interpersonal communication course.

I think the approach to this book is conversational and theoretical, which enables students to clearly understand concepts while making them real to their everyday lives. This is what I want my students to do, which is why I chose to use this textbook. The previous book was too academic and dry and lacked the ability to give the concepts richness and usefulness.

The text breaks down a complicated subject into specific digestible chunks and teaches to competencies in those chunks. I think that this text does a great job with organization. This is a book I can take in order. It is a book that makes sense.

Julia Wood has quite a reputation so those who know her work might be tempted to adopt the book based on that alone. I also think people will appreciate Ms. Wood's open and honest approach. Her book is approachable and engaging and provides a very solid introduction to interpersonal communication that differs from other textbooks on the same topic.

From the Publisher