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comm 368 final
chapter 9: culture and interpersonal relationships
35
Communication
Undergraduate 4
12/05/2009

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Term
interpersonal relationship
Definition
- the state of our being mutually or reciprocally interested in one or more individuals for social or business reasons
*persons included in a relationship realize they are parts of the relationship and have entered into it for practical or social gain
-- vary across cultures
Term
interpersonal relationships in different cultures
Definition
some cultures provide a set of tools to help building and maintaining relationships (norms)
Term
self disclosure
Definition
the degree to which an individual reveals personal information to another person (revealing intimate info about ones self plays a significant role in relationships-personal facts and feelings. increases intimacy)
Term
self- disclosure differs from collectivistic to individualistic cultures
Definition
- differ in what they think should be revealed and what should be kept private
*individualistic eurocentrics disclosewider range of topics than collectivistic.
Term
uncertainty avoidance
Definition
another important factor that influences the establishment of relationships- is related to reducing doubt, ambiguity, or questionable circumstances in communication situations
*the stronger the uncertainty, more threatened by unknown, and more intolerant of ambiguous
Term
reasons for uncertainty avoidance
Definition

*uncertainty is important especially in collectivistic cultures (they are deeply concerned about how actions will appear to peers, they want to avoid seeming foolish, commiting social indiscretion could lead to loss of face)

*in individualistic, people are also anxious of losing face, but not same degree

Term
strategies to reduce uncertainty
Definition
1. passive
2. active
3. interactive.
Term
passive
Definition
we discreetly observe the behavior of the people about whom we want to learn more
• we note how they behave with others and imagine how the would behave with us
Term
active
Definition
still no direct communication, but we seek informationa bout him/her from other sources
• we question people who know the target of our interest
Term
interactive
Definition
we communicate directly with the people we feel uncertain about
• we ask them questions about themselves to gather the information we think will reduce our uncertainty
• or, we reveal information about ourself in the expectation they will tell us similar details
Term
the role of facework in interpersonal relationships
Definition
-face can be defined as a public self image that ppl want to present within a given social framework
-facework in interpersonal communication means that we are engaged to save ones own and others face
-especially in intercultural communication we need to consider if our actions save or hurt others face**
Term
conflict is an inescapable phenomenon of socialization
Definition
o it surfaces in all human relationships
o even the friendliest relationships contain elements of conflict
o a relationship without conflict suggests no relationship at all, or at least not a successful one
Term
we learn about conflicts as little kids
Definition
o we learn that we need to be willing to accept compromises
o we learn that there are things that we cannot get or do
o especially little kids learn a lot about conflict and conflict resolution by trial and error
Term
many different reasons for conflict
Definition
o living or working with others while striving to fulfill the daily needs often leads to differences in opinions
o what do I and others need to do first
o what is preferred and what is less important and can wait
o what shouldn’t be done at all or is dismissed
• -> conflict arises from incompatible goals, values and needs, behaviors
Term
intercultural interpersonal conflict
Definition
• interpersonal conflict across cultures can be defined as the actions that occur when two or more divergent cultural groups or people must deal with what is or what seems to be incompatible
* the biggest problems that lead to a conflict is goals, values, or relationships are seen as incompatible
*different cultures have different understandings of what is an appropriate goal
Term
how does a conflict work
Definition
• the conflicting parties confront each other with mutually opposing actions or counteractions
• each party attempts to create a relatively favored position over the other
- conflicts can be productive or destructive
Term
conflicts can be productive
Definition
because parties involved can attain important goals through their interaction
o if there is no other way, conflict helps to find solutions
Term
conflicts can be destructive
Definition
with one side winning and the other losing
o especially if conflict is grounded on aggressiveness with the desire to harm or hurt the other
o or, if people aggressively fight for their goals by harming or hurting others unintentionally
Term
conflict is like an iceberg
Definition
• the observable part of a conflict is an indicator that something is not O.K. between the people involved
• the hidden part is what causes the visible part ot surface and may include the answers of how to solve the conflict
Term
the conflict process
Definition
* typical conflicts do not suddenly erupt**
-there are preliminaries, even if from one standpoint it seems random, the perceptions and emotions of the conflictor still exist
Term
conflict management
Definition
means to control or regulate the conflict (handle by dragging it out or prolonging it, hence regulating it.)  *conlfict intensity diminishes and duration increases therefore, conflict weaked, not solved
Term
conflict resolution
Definition
means to terminate, to end, whatever disputes causing the conflict to the satisfaction of the parties involved
**only if conflict is completely over is there resolution
Term
3 methods of managing conflicts
Definition
1. negotiation
2. mediation
3. arbitration
Term
negotiation
Definition
each side gives a little until the parties finally arrive at an agreement
o that means to make a number of concessions
Term
mediation
Definition
requires intervention of third party, a neutral mediator who does not favor one party or the other
o the mediator works with both parties to reach a settlement
Term
arbitration
Definition
calls for the third party to analyze issues and award a decision to the side most deserving
o the other side has to abide by decision
Term
challenges of negotiation, mediation, arbitration
Definition
• all three methods leave much to be desired
• negotiation and mediation favor wringing concessions from the parties until a settlement is reached
o no one really wins, nor the best idea or way of doing something
• arbitration places conflict in hands of neutral third party and the decision will usually favor one side over the other
o the best idea may win, but the losing party could be very frustrated
Term
problem solving methods
Definition
• win-win methods are different to win-lose and lose-lose methods
• they can lead to shared rewards while both parties win instead of attempting to defeat each other
• by using win-win methods, parties work together to arrive to a solution profitable to both sides
Term
the problem solving process
Definition
• widely used win-win methods are problem solving processes
• there are a number of different problem solving procceses, but they all follow a similar series of steps:
1. State the problem
2. Define the terms
3. Describe the problems causes
4. Name its effects
5. Propose possible solutions
6. Select the solution best eliminating the causes
Term
leaving the field
Definition
-option of managing conflict, withdrawal and stop communication
1. physical withdrawal- breaking off comm and walk away. cool off period
2. psychological withdrawal: stop discussing and only listening even if we disagree
Term
japanese tradition of conflict avoidance
Definition
• Japanese have a strong desire to avoid open disagreement and to argue for their point of view
• thus they have developed considerable expertise in using strategies that do not permit conflicts to develop (anticipatory management, negative communication, situational code switiching, triadic management)
Term
anticipatory management
Definition
circumstances are arranged so that situations possible leading to conflict do not arise
Term
negative communication
Definition
those in conflict do not confront the other or refuse to response
Term
situational code switching
Definition
those in conflict stay away from each other, but if they do come in contact, they behave in an appropriate manner
Term
triadic management
Definition
a third party will be invited to mediate
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