Interpersonal Relationships and Communication

Close Relationships vs. Casual Relationships

• Close relationships possess all features of interpersonal relationships plus enduring bonds, emotional attachment (affecting happiness/sadness), and need fulfillment (feeling loved, appreciated).
• Casual relationships involve repeated interactions, influencing each other, and unique interaction patterns.

Communication Channels and Interpersonal Relationships

• Texting:
• Benefits: Quick connection.
• Drawbacks: Potential for miscommunication due to lack of nonverbal cues.
• Facebook:
• Benefits: Allows for planned communication.
• Drawbacks: Less spontaneity compared to face-to-face interactions.
• Dating apps:
• Benefits: Opportunity to meet new people.
• Drawbacks: Potential for superficial interactions.

Cooley's Looking-Glass Self

• Cooley's concept posits that individuals form their self-image based on how they perceive others perceive them.
• Example: If a teacher consistently praises a student's intelligence, the student is likely to internalize that perception and view themselves as intelligent.

Types of Attraction

• Physical: Attraction based on appearance.
• Example: Charlotte developing a crush on Clayton after seeing his new haircut.
• Social: Attraction based on personality.
• Example: Charlotte befriending Marin due to her fun and enjoyable personality.
• Task: Attraction based on abilities.
• Sexual: Attraction based on desire for intimacy.
• Chemical: Attraction based on brain chemistry (e.g., oxytocin).
• Fatal: Qualities that initially attract later cause problems.

Expectancy Violations Theory

• The theory examines how individuals react to unexpected behaviors in social interactions based on expectations and social norms.
• Predictive expectancies: Anticipated behaviors.
• Prescriptive expectancies: Behaviors deemed appropriate.
• Positive violation: Behavior better than expected.
• Example: A friend bringing a thoughtful gift.
• Negative violation: Behavior worse than expected.
• Example: A friend forgetting a significant date.

Dialectical Oppositions

• Integration:
• Connection-Autonomy: Balancing time together and alone.
• Inclusion-Seclusion: Balancing group activities and private time.
• Certainty:
• Predictability-Novelty: Balancing routine and spontaneity.
• Conventionality-Uniqueness: Balancing traditions and personal rituals.
• Expression:
• Openness-Closedness: Balancing sharing and concealing information.
• Revelation-Concealment: Balancing sharing and hiding aspects of life.

Social Penetration Theory

• Explains how self-disclosure changes as relationships develop.
• Breadth: Variety of topics shared.
• Example: Casual conversations about hobbies.
• Depth: Personal topics shared.
• Example: Sharing fears or beliefs.

Affection and Immediacy in Phone Calls

• Affection: Emojis, affectionate texts.
• Immediacy: Frequent texting to maintain involvement.
• Face-to-face: Advantages in nonverbal cues (tone, facial expressions).
• Technology: Reduced nonverbal cues in online interactions.

Lee's Love Styles

• Eros (Romantic): Passionate love.
• Storge (Companionate): Friendship-based love.
• Ludus (Playful): Relationships viewed as fun, casual, and playful.
• Example: Joey in "Friends."
• Mania (Obsessive): Jealous and possessive love.
• Example: Stephen from "Tell Me Lies."
• Agape (Selfless): Unconditional love, focused on giving.
• Pragma (Practical): Logical love, seeking specific characteristics.
• Example: Claire Dunphy in "Modern Family."

Attachment Styles

• Secure: Comfortable with closeness.
• Preoccupied: High dependency, clinging to relationships.
• Dismissive: Independence over intimacy, views relationships as nonessential.
• Fearful-Avoidant: Fear of intimacy and abandonment.

Cultural Influence on Sexual Behavior

• Cultural values shape views on premarital sex and gender roles. (Western cultures became more liberal after the sexual revolution).

Consent

• Definition: Mutual, enthusiastic agreement.
• Misconceptions: Silence doesn't equal consent, subtle non-verbal cues.

Equity Theory

• Maximize benefits: Seeking rewards exceeding costs.
• Fair rules: Sharing tasks fairly.
• Reward fairness: Fairness leads to trust, unfairness leads to resentment.
• Cross-cultural differences: U.S./Western cultures prefer equity; Asian/Eastern cultures prefer equality.

Relationship Advice for Rachel (Chapter 10)

• Positivity: Maintain a positive outlook.
• Openness: Communicate openly.
• Assurances: Reassure each other.
• Social networking: Maintain social connections.
• Task sharing: Share responsibilities.

Interpersonal Conflict Styles

• Competitive: Winning the argument.
• Compromising: Finding a middle ground.
• Collaborating: Reaching a win-win solution.
• Indirect: Sarcasm, passive-aggression.
• Avoiding: Ignoring the conflict.
• Yielding: Giving in to avoid conflict.

Power Principles

• Power's perception: Perceived control impacts resentment.
• Power's existence: Power exists in relationships.
• Healthy Relationships: Share power.
• Power through resources: Controlling resources is problematic.
• Power's effect: Power can be positive (support) or negative (control).

Persuasive Strategies

• Hinting: Subtle suggestions.
• Bargaining: Trading favors.
• Consistency: Maintaining a consistent approach.

Deception

• Definition: Intentionally misleading others.
• Types: Lies, equivocation, concealment, exaggeration, understatement.
• Justification: Deception for the benefit of others.
• Betrayal: Deception for selfish reasons.

Investment Model

• Satisfaction: Happiness in the relationship.
• Alternatives: Availability of others.
• Investment: Time, energy, and resources.

Breakup Strategies

• Ghosting: Cutting off all communication without explanation.
• Mutual Fade-Out: Both gradually drift apart.
• Blame Game: Blaming each other for the breakup.
• Direct Dump: One person announces the breakup.