Module 3

Communication Climate:
Foundation of Interpersonal
Relationships
Interpersonal Climate
Interpersonal climate is the
overall feeling, or emotional
mood between people.
It is the dominant feeling
between people who are
involved with each other.
It is the foundation of personal
relationships.

Elements of Satisfying
Personal Relationships
Investment
We invest time, energy, thought,
and feelings into interaction.
The happiest couples believe they
invest equallyinvesting more
than a partner makes us resentful.
Commitment
A decision to stay with a
relationship
Elements of Satisfying
Personal Relationships
Trust
Believing in anothers reliability
and emotionally relying on another
to care about and protect our
welfare
Self-disclosurerevealing personal
information about ourselves that
others are unlikely to discover in
other ways
Comfort with relational dialectics
Self-Disclosure
When Appropriate
Self-disclose the kind of information you
want others to disclose to you.
Self-disclose more intimate information
only when you believe the disclosure
represents an acceptable risk.
Move self-disclosure to deeper levels
gradually.
Reserve intimate or very personal self-
disclosure for ongoing relationships.
Continue intimate self-disclosure only if it
is reciprocated.
Self-Disclosing
Benefits
May increase trust
May increase
closeness
May enhance self-
esteem
May increase
security
May enhance self-
growth
Risks
Others may reject
us
Others may think
less of us
Others may violate
our confidences
Relational Dialectics
Connection/Autonomy
I want to be close. I need my own space.
Predictability/Novelty
I like the familiar We need to do
rhythms we have. something new.
Openness/Closedness
I like sharing so There are some
much with you. things I dont want
to talk about.
Responding to Dialectics
Neutralization negotiates a balance
between the two poles.
Give priority to one need and neglect the
other.
Separate by assigning one need to certain
interactions and opposing needs to another
aspect of interaction.
Reframe by redefining contradictory needs
as not in opposition.
In general the least effective way to
manage dialectics is to honor one need and
repress the opposing one.
The Gift of Confirmation
You matter to me.
Recognize Acknowledge
Endorse
Basic requirements for
healthy communication!
Continuum of
Interpersonal Climates
Confirming
Climate
Mixed
Climate

Cycling
Climate
Disconfirming
Climate
Nurture relationships
through
supportive not defensive
communication

Defensiveness a negative
feeling or behavior that results
when a person feels threatened
Defensive
Communication
Supportive
Communication
Evaluation Description
Certainty Provisionalism
Strategy Spontaneity
Control Problem orientation
Neutrality
Superiority
Empathy
Equality
Ethnocentrism is a form of
certainty communication where
we assume that our culture and
its norms are the only right ones.
The word strategy in a
relationship makes some people
uncomfortable. Why? Is
spontaneity necessary for
intimacy?
Guidelines for Creating and
Sustaining Healthy Climates
Communicate in a way that
actively enhances the mood of a
relationship.
Accept and confirm others.
Affirm and assert yourself.
Self-disclose when appropriate.
Respect diversity in relationships.
Respond to others criticism
constructively.
Johari Window
Open Blind
Secret Unknown
Known
to self
Not known
to self
Known to
others
Not known
to others
Affirm and Assert Yourself
Assertion is a matter of clearly and
nonjudgmentally stating what you
feel, need, or want.
Aggression involves putting your
needs above those of others.
Deference involves putting others
needs ahead of yours.
It is as important to affirm and
accept yourself as to do that for
others.
Respond to Others
Criticism Constructively
Seek more information.
Consider the criticism thoughtfully.
Is it valid?
If you do not believe the criticism is
accurate offer your own
interpretation.
If it is valid, how do you want to
change?
Thank the person who offered the
criticism.