ab_devito_intrprsnl_10|Universals of Interpersonal Communicatio|Handbook of Experiential Learning Vehicl|Analyzing an Interaction

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Analyzing an Interaction

The axioms of human communication discussed in Chapter 1 should prove useful in analyzing any communication interaction. To help illustrate these principles and to provide some practice in applying these to a real﷓life situation, the following interaction is presented. Read it carefully, and analyze each of the axioms of communication identified following the interaction.

As an alternative to analyzing this interaction, the entire class may watch a situation comedy show, television drama, or film and explore the communication axioms in these presentations. The questions used in this exercise should prove useful in formulating parallel questions for the television program or film.

Another way of approaching this topic is for all students to watch the same television programs for an entire evening, with groups of students focusing on the operation of different axioms. Thus, one group would focus on examples and illustrations of the impossibility of not communicating, another group would focus on the content and relationship dimensions of messages, and so on. Each group can then report its findings and insights to the entire class.

An Interpersonal Transaction

Here are some questions, built around the axioms discussed in Chapter 1, to guide your analysis.

1 . Interpersonal communication is grounded in theory and research.

How would you describe the theory of interpersonal communication in which each of the characters in this dialogue operates?

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2 .

What kinds of research might be relevant to explaining what is going on in this dialogue?

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3 . Interpersonal communication is transactional.

How is the process nature of communication illustrated in this interaction? For example, why is it impossible to identify specific beginnings and specific endings for any of the varied interactions? Are there instances in which individual characters attempt to deny the process nature of interpersonal interaction?

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4 .

Can you illustrate how the messages of the different characters are interdependent?

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5 . Interpersonal communication is ambiguous.

Can you identify any ambiguities that might cause communication problems?

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6 .

How would you describe the ambiguity present in the various relationships represented in this family?

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7 . Interpersonal communication may be symmetrical or complementary.

What type of relationship do you suppose exists between Fred and Margaret? Between Fred and Diane? Between Fred and Stephen? Between Diane and Stephen? Between Margaret and Stephen?

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8 .

Can any instances of inappropriate complementarity be found? Inappropriate symmetry? What problems might these cause this particular family?

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9 . Communication involves both content and relationship dimensions.

How does each of the characters deal with the self﷓definitions of the other characters? For example, how does Fred deal with the self﷓definition of Margaret? How does Margaret deal with the self﷓definition of Fred?

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10 .

Are any problems caused by failure to recognize the distinction between the content and the relationship levels of communication?

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11 .

Select one topic of conversation and identify both the content and the relationship messages communicated.

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12 . Interpersonal communication sequences are punctuated for processing.

Select any two characters and indicate how they differ in their punctuation of any specific sequence of events. Do the characters realize that they are each punctuating differently?

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13 .

What problems might a failure to recognize the arbitrary nature of punctuation create?

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14 . Interpersonal communication is inevitable, irreversible, and unrepeatable.

Do the characters communicate significant messages, even though they may attempt not to communicate? For example, in what ways do the characters communicate simply by their physical presence or by the role they occupy in the family? Do the characters intend not to communicate? Why do these attempts fail?

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15 .

Are any messages being communicated that you think the characters will later wish they had not communicated? Why do you think so? Do any of the characters try to reverse the communication process—that is, to “uncommunicate?”

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16 .

What evidence can you offer to illustrate that communication is unrepeatable?

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