Katie Woessner

Reaction Paper number one

CMM110

June 25, 2009

In this paper,I will be discussing the general concepts of inter-

personal communication. I will discuss the basic definition of inter-

personal communication. Then I will be talking about the Goal-Plan-

Action model. Last, in the paper I will be discussing research findings

about meditated relationships.

In this paragraph,I will be discussing the basics of inter-personal

communication. There are six characteristics of inter-personal

communication that will be explained throughout this paragraph. The

six characteristics are dyadic, direct, personal, immediate,

spontaneous, and informal. There are also two ways that researchers

look at defining this type of communication one is the contextual view

and the other the developmental view. The contextual view is about

comparing other communication theories in so examine how close the

people are to each other, how many sensory channels are used and

what the reaction is. The most important difference between the two

views is that the contextual view does not take into account how the

two people know each other. The Developmental view is defined by

having the people that are communicating having to have known each

other for quite some time. Important to note in the definition that

people view each other as unique individuals. It is also important to

remember that inter-personal communication is always changing says

Knapp. It was proven through the research of Miller and Steinberg in

1975. They talk about how people communicate to control their

environment. People want to control their environment for economic

and personal benefits. Another important point to mention in

understanding inter-personal communication is that there are five

steps in making a strong inter-personal connection. Step one: is

initiating .i.e. saying hello. The second step: is experimenting this is

the asking of questions i.e. Where do you go to school? Step three: is

intensifying this is bringing the relationship to the next level i.e. giving

your significant other a gift. The fourth step: is integrating this is the

step where they bring the other person into their own life i.e. bringing

to a family party or social event with co-workers. The last step is:

Bonding this is marriage or a bond for life like a best friend. These are

important steps that can not usually be skipped through. These are

the major points in understanding inter-personal communication. In

knowing all of these steps and procedures anyone would be good at

communicating with their fellow human being.

http://www.abacon.com/commstudies/interpersonal/indefinition.html