Interpersonal Communication

Concepts, Theories, and Contexts of Interpersonal Communication

At the core of any project is the topic one is studying. The term topic, however, is very broad and does not clearly capture the exact focus of interpersonal [Page 790]communication research. The topic of any research study can be further defined in terms of the communication concepts of interest, the theories the researcher uses to explain how those concepts work together, and the specific context or relationship setting the researcher focused on when collecting data. Communication concepts focus on communication processes, strategies, skills, and issues. Examples of communication concepts include argumentativeness/assertiveness, competence, conflict, disclosure, immediacy, intimacy, message construction, persuasion, satisfaction, sense-making, social support, relational maintenance strategies, and verbal aggressiveness.

Theories help researchers arrange and synthesis knowledge. Stephen Littlejohn and Karen Foss broadly define the term theory as a way to organize communication concepts, explanations, and principles to provide insight into the human experience. Communication theories can help explain core processes related to message exchange, meaning-making, functions, and effects. Communication theories also explain the essence of relationships given it is through communication that relationships develop, change, are maintained, and become meaningful. Examples of theories used by interpersonal communication researchers include communication accommodation theory, communication privacy management theory, feminist theories, identity theories, social cognitive theory, systems theories, relational dialectics theory, theory of family communication patterns, and uncertainty theories (e.g., uncertainty reduction theory or theory of motivated information management).

The study of communication concepts informed by theory does not occur in a vacuum. Instead, understanding of concepts and theories is often contingent upon the context or relationship setting in which the research occurs. What defines the context of the study is the number of people involved in the interaction, characteristics of the people, or the physical environment in which the interaction occurs. Examples of contexts of interest to interpersonal communication researchers include family relationships, marital relationships, dating relationships, friendships, doctor–patient relationships, student–teacher relationships, and intercultural relationships. It is important to note that other disciplines, such as psychology, sociology, anthropology, or other behavioral sciences, also study contexts of interest to interpersonal communication scholars. What distinguishes interpersonal communication research from studies conducted in other disciplines is the focus on communication concepts and the types of theories at the core of the study.

Research Traditions

According to Arthur Bochner, scholars who study interpersonal communication approach their research from three scientific traditions or paradigms: empirical, interpretive, and critical. These traditions focus on different philosophies about the aim of social science and different methods for achieving those aims. While the goal of all research, in the most basic sense, is to further our knowledge and broaden our understanding about an area of inquiry, researchers often have more specific aims that guide their endeavors.

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