Showing papers on "Interpersonal communication published in 1970"

Interpersonal spacing in natural settings.

Abstract: Observations were made of the interpersonal spacing of 859 subject pairs in several natural settings at various times over a two-month period. Subjects were classified according to Anglo-, Black-, or Mexican-American ethnic group; adult, adolescent, or child age level; male-male, female-female, or male-female sex combination; and indoor or outdoor observation setting. Ratings of interpersonal distance were made from an unobtrusive location in each setting. Results confirmed expectations of ethnic, age, and sex group patterns in spacing and also revealed an interesting location difference. Implications of the findings in areas of interpersonal dynamics and environmental design are discussed.

The importance of being modest

Abstract: In this chapter, we consider modesty and its importance. We begin by defining modesty, proceed to argue that being modest is hard work, and then lay out some reasons why this is so. Next, we make the case that modesty correlates with, and may even cause, several desirable outcomes—intrapersonal, interpersonal, and group. We conclude by attempting to reconcile the discrepancies between two empirical literatures, one suggesting that modesty entails social and mental health benefits, the other suggesting that self-enhancement does.

Argument as method: Its nature, its limitations and its uses

Abstract: (1970). Argument as method: Its nature, its limitations and its uses. Speech Monographs: Vol. 37, No. 2, pp. 101-110.

Speculation on the structure of interpersonal intentions

Abstract: A model is presented in which bipolar dimensions are hypothesized to operate as a simultaneous bundle of distinctive features in mediating the meanings of interpersonal behavioral events. A set of a priori semantic features is developed through rational analysis of the language of interpersonal behavior. A relatively small number of such distinctive features is shown to be capable of differentiating among a relatively large number of interpersonal verbs (IPVs). An initial set of six features, proposed on intuitive grounds, was tested for discriminating power over a sample of 210 representative IPVs, drawn from index categories of Roget's Thesaurus. On the basis of coding distributions and correlations with other features, two of these original features were discarded. Inspection of the sets of quasi- synonyms created by the surviving four features suggested the operation of six additional features, three of them affective in nature. The simultaneous application of these 10 semantic features provides intuitively satisfying differentiation among the sample of interpersonal verbs. It is suggested that, if the dimensional structure of interpersonal intentions (that is, their semantic features) can be shown to be culturally invariant, then manifest differences in behavioral prescription and expression can be economically compared across cultures.

Planned Change in Organization Style Based on the Laboratory Approach.

Abstract: This study reports the design and results of an effort to change the organization style of a sales unit in a business organization The learning design was derived from the laboratory approach to organization development, and sought to create a specific kind of social order as well as to provide experience with appropriate skills and attitudes Changes in organization style were measured with Likert's profile of organizational characteristics A one-week learning experience helped induce significant changes in self-reports by managers about the style of interpersonal and intergroup relations in their organization, judging from before and after administrations of the profile The bulk of the learning time was spent in a sensitivity training session, which was intended to prepare subordinates for a confrontation with their superiors concerning the needs of both as they were variously met by their unit's interpersonal and intergroup climate The entire managerial population was exposed to the learning design, so that there was no control group Therefore the changes in self-reports can only be tentatively attributed to the experimental design, rather than to random factors or the passage of time

The Process of Decision Modification in Small Discussion Groups

Abstract: This study qualitatively examined the interaction patterns associated with group decision-making. Specifically, a category system identified the functions which verbal behavior performs upon tentatively introduced decision proposals and yielded a theory of decision modification within group discussions. Groups do not apparently make decisions gradually by direct amendments but in sudden jumps to different formulations of the same root proposal. That is, proposals were introduced, discussed, dropped, and reintroduced in modified form. Two discernible patterns of decision modification emerged. One pattern involved systematically reformulating the proposal in language at successively lower levels of abstraction until the proposal achieved consensus. The second pattern involved substitute decision proposals at essentially equivalent levels of abstraction until the revised proposal achieved consensus. Unlike previous theories of flight behavior resulting from interpersonal conflict, the present study indicates that periods of task avoidance are inherent within the group process of cumulative decision modification. “I don't think they play at all fairly,” Alice began, in a rather complaining tone, “and they all quarrel so dreadfully one can't hear oneself speak–and they don't seem to have any rules in particular; at least, if there are, nobody attends to them–and you've no idea how confusing it is all the things being alive….”

Judgment policy and interpersonal learning

Abstract: In a study of interpersonal learning, 96 Ss were asked to predict another person's judgments about the socio-economic growth of a series of underdeveloped nations. Following each prediction, Ss were informed of the actual judgment made by the person (or Target) whose policy they were attempting to learn. Results from 150 learning trials revealed that interpersonal learning was significantly influenced by (a) the substantive differences among the judgment policies to be learned, as well as (b), the type of information initially available to the learner. With regard to the latter, it was found that Ss who were shown a quantitative description of the Target's policy provided by a regression analysis learned to predict the Target's judgments with substantial accuracy. In contrast, Ss who were initially shown policy descriptions (either quantitative or verbal) provided by the Target himself performed significantly less well.

Social alienation by communication denial

Abstract: (1970). Social alienation by communication denial. Quarterly Journal of Speech: Vol. 56, No. 4, pp. 347-357.

Perceived Teaching Styles

Abstract: FACTS BY themselves are of little interest. Only when a fact is associated with another idea, either hypothetically or actually, is its power for seducing the mind realized. However, it is an axiom of science that description precedes explanation. Thus the acquisition of facts provides the basis, and often the incentive, for the search for understanding. This present paper reports some facts about education. It outlines the ways in which teachers in the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the United States perceive their own teaching practices. More specifically it reports on the answers given by 12,293 respondents to twenty-one items in a questionnaire and on the differences discerned between selected sets of respondents. The selection of items was predicated on the assumption that certain kinds of educationally salient behaviors characterize classroom settings. These behaviors together constitute a theoretical "model" that can be articulated in the following way. In general terms, a classroom is a setting in which incumbents of two positions, teacher and pupil, are engaged in a continuous transactional process. This process has its own formal and informal procedures which relate in particular to the educational task, to the pattern of social relationship, and to the problem of organizing and controlling the environment. The model has seven variable classes selected as representing areas of generally widespread concern to teachers. They are: content orientation; cognitive emphasis; interaction mode; organizational differentiation; control source; control mode; and motivational mode. Each is elaborated briefly below: 1. Content orientation is concerned with whether in teaching, emphasis is placed primarily on subject matter, interpersonal relationships, or discipline and control. Conventionally, subject-matter orientation has been identified as "traditional", interpersonal orientation as "progressive", and control orientation as "authoritarian".

Interpersonal themes in the Thematic Apperception Test stories of families of disturbed adolescents.

Abstract: Thematic Apperception Test (TAT) stories of 24 sets of families containing disturbed adolescents were analyzed according to: 1) perceptual cognitive structuring of cards; and 2) quality of interpersonal relationships described. The cards used had a high probability of stimulating familial themes.Fou

Group Procedures for Increasing Positive Feedback Between Married Partners.

Abstract: A sequence of group procedures requiring six meetings has been designed to increase awareness of the positive aspects in a marital relationship. In a variety of group formations five couples describe: each other's behavior which expresses love, respect, understanding; the qualities and traits which are valued in each other; and the ways in which each meets the other's needs for love, acceptance, dependency, etc. The "here and now" feelings stimulated by such communication are examined and shared. These sessions help nornal couples become more skilled in a type of dialogue that is often a forgotten or unlearned interpersonal art.

Interpersonal communication and the diffusion of innovations1

Abstract: Summary INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION AND THE DIFFUSION OF INNOVATIONS Most studies have found that opinion leaders have a higher level of adoption of new farm practices, more contact with competent sources of farm information, and more contacts outside their village than their followers. This is especially true in communities with group norms favourable towards the adoption of innovations and in some communities in developing countries. In the analysis of sociometric dyads several studies have found that on instrumental questions farmers are chosen with a higher level of technological competence, whereas on sociable questions such differences are relatively small. The way in which farmers influence each other and the effects of the patron-client relationship on the adoption of new farm practices are neglected research topics. Differences between villages in the effect of personal influence on the adoption of new farm practices can be caused by differences in group norms, specialisation and concentration in opinion leadership, and in mutual confidence among the villagers. The two-step flow of communication hypothesis probably needs revision. Research on interpersonal communication is useful for increasing the effectiveness of extension services, but extension officers can still take many decisions in this field only on the basis of common sense. Resume COMMUNICATION INTERPERSONNELLE ET LA DIFFUSION DES INNOVATIONS De nombreuses etudes ont montre que les leaders adoptent plus aisement les innovations en matiere agricole, ont plus de contacts avec des sources competentes d'information et le monde exterieur que les autres membres de leur communaute. Cet aspect est tout particulierement remarquable dans les communautes dont les normes sont favorables a l'innovation et dans certains pays en voie de developpement. L'analyse dans plusieurs etudes des dyades sociometriques montre que si les questions posees sont d'ordre technique, les agriculteurs choisis ont un degre de competence professionnelle eleve; les differences sont moins importantes, si ces questions sont d'ordre sociable. Le processus de reciprocite des influences entre agriculteurs, les effets des relations patrons-clients sur l'adoption de l'innovation sont negligees dans la recherche. La diversite que Ton peut constater entre villages dans l'effet de l'influence personnelle pour l'adoption d'innovations peut etre provoquee par des differences dans les normes du groupe, par la specialisation et la concentration du leadership, par la confiance mutuelle des agriculteurs. L'hypothese d'une circulation en deux etapes de l'information necessite, vraisemblablement, une revision. La recherche sur les communications interpersonnelles est necessaire a la croissance de l'efficacite des services de vulgarisation. Cependant, les vulgarisateurs ne peuvent prendre bon nombre de leurs decisions en ce domaine qu'en s'aidant du simple bon sens. Zusammenfassung PERSONLICHE KOMMUNIKATION UND DIE VERBREITUNG VON NEUERUNGEN Die meisten bisherigen Untersuchungen kamen zu dem Ergebnis, das Meinungsfuhrer in hoherem Grade neue landwirtschaftliche Methoden annehmen, mehr Kontakt mit den Quellen der Informationen und auserhalb ihres Dorfes haben, als die Menschen, die ihnen folgen. Das gilt besonders in Gemeinschaften, deren Gruppennormen der Adoption von Neuerungen gunstig sind, und in einigen Gemeinschaften in Entwicklungslandern. Bei der Analyse soziometrischer Dyaden fanden mehrere Studien, das bei technischen Fragen Landwirte mit besseren technologischen Fahigkeiten gewahlt wurden, wahrend bei gesellschaftlichen Fragen diese Differenzen recht gering sind. Der Weg, auf dem Bauern einander beeinflussen und die Wirkungen des Patron-Klienten-Verhaltnisses auf die Annahme neuer Methoden sind bisher in der Forschung vernachlassigt worden. Unterschiede zwischen den Dorfern beim personlichen Einflus auf die Adoption neuer landwirtschaftlicher Methoden konnen verursacht sein durch Unterschiede in den Gruppennormen, Spezialisierung und Konzentration der Meinungsfuhrerschaft und durch Vertrauen zwischen den Dorfbewohnern. Die Hypothese von einem zweistufigen Kommunikationsablauf mus wahrscheinlich revidiert werden. Forschung uber Kommunikation zwischen Personen kann dazu dienen, Beratungsdienste effektiv zu gestalten. Aber noch immer konnen Berater einen grosen Teil ihrer Entscheidungen auf diesem Gebiet nur auf der Grundlage des gesunden Menschenverstandes treffen.

Counseling and the psychology of communication

Abstract: The psychology of communication can bring to counseling greater clarification of verbal and nonverbal interview interactions. Various communication channels are discussed, including language and nonlanguage forms. It is suggested that each message conveys both content and a definition of relationship. Communication does not function in a linear manner but in a system of feedback loops, each of which is comparable to a stimulus-response-reinforcement sequence. Examples of communication patterns are given to illustrate the kinds of messages conveyed in language and nonlanguage channels. All communication modalities should be taken into consideration in studies of counseling interactions, and training programs should make counselors more sensitive communication participants.

Social Status and Interpersonal Patterns Among Married Couples

Abstract: A distinction is made between a role structure and an interpersonal structure as two elements of any dyadic relationship. Data from young, white, recently married couples are * This research was supported by a grant to the first author from the National Science Foundation, GS-1606. This content downloaded from 157.55.39.44 on Sat, 24 Sep 2016 05:57:23 UTC All use subject to http://about.jstor.org/terms STATUS AND INTERPERSONAL PATTERNS 265 examined for evidence of differential significance of the interpersonal relationship by social status level. Higher-status couples are more sensitive to the interpersonal aspects of their relationship. They also have a clearer husband-wife differentiation within the interpersonal realm. These data are interpreted as suggesting a functional link between role structure and interpersonal structure such that a lack of differentiation at one level is associated with differentiation at the other. A growing body of literature points to differences in the structure of the husband-wife relationship within different social strata. The basic difference was noted by Bott (1957) who differentiated between what she called a joint conjugal role relationship and a segregated conjugal role relationship, the former involving much sharing of tasks and interests, the latter involving separate activities and interests by the two spouses. Bott found a segregated pattern was more common among working-class couples and a joint pattern among middle-class couples in England. Similarly, American studies of family planning (cf. Rainwater, 1965) have noted the significance of role segregation among lower-class couples in thwarting attempts to introduce the use of contraceptive methodslack of communication and sharing makes the necessary joint planning quite 'difficult. This same separation of activities and limited communication and sharing have been found more generally among American working-class couples (Blood and Wolfe, 1960; Komar-

The study of adolescent development using a sentence‐completion method

Abstract: Summary. A new sentence-completion test has been constructed in order to explore further the development of interpersonal relationships in adolescence, following an earlier study based on a different type of projective test. The responses of three different age groups of adolescent girls from a grammar school in a working-class area are compared, and the results indicate that in the majority of interpersonal situations there are important differences between age groups, most of which are consistent with those reported in the previous study. The results support the view that a sentence-completion test is an appropriate and significant means of studying interpersonal development.