Page 342 - Essentials of Human Communication

Glossary 321

Pygmalion effect. Condition in which we make a prediction some theorists as synonymous with interpersonal
of success, act as if it were true, and thereby make it come communication.
true; a type of self-fulfilling prophecy. relationship conflict. A type of conflict that centers on the
nature and meaning of a particular relationship. Contrast
content conflict.
quality circles. Groups of workers (usually 6 to 12) whose relationship deterioration. The process whereby the bonds
task it is to investigate and make recommendations for holding an interpersonal relationship together lessen. To
improving the quality of some organizational function. cope with the ending of a relationship, break the loneli-
questions of fact. Questions concerned with what is or is not ness–depression cycle, take time out, bolster your self-
true, what does or does not exist, what did or did not happen. esteem, seek the support of nourishing others, and avoid
questions of policy. Questions concerning what should be or repeating negative patterns.
should not be done (or what policy should be adopted). relationship development. The stages of relationships during
quotes. An extensional device to emphasize that a word or which you move closer to intimacy; in the model of rela-
phrase is being used in a special sense and should there- tionships presented here, relationship development in-
fore be given special attention. cludes the stages of contact and involvement .
relationship dialectics theory. A theory that describes rela-
tionships as defined by competing, opposite desires or
racist language. Language that denigrates or is derogatory to- motivations, such as the desire for autonomy and the de-
ward members of a particular race. sire to belong to someone, desires for novelty and predict-
rate. The speed with which a person speaks, generally mea- ability, and desires for closedness and openness.
sured in words per minute. relationship maintenance. The processes by which you
receiver. Any person or thing that takes in messages. Receiv- attempt to keep a relationship stable.
ers may be individuals listening to or reading a message, a relationship messages. Messages that comment on the rela-
group of persons hearing a speech, a scattered television tionship between the speakers rather than on matters
audience, or machines that store information. external to them. Formulate messages that are appropriate
recency effect. The condition in which what comes last (i.e., to the stage of the relationship, and listen for messages
happened most recently) exerts greater influence than from relationship partners that may reveal differences in
what comes first. Contrast primacy effect. perception about your relationship stage.
redundancy. The quality of a message that makes it totally relationship rules. Principles that relationship partners estab-
predictable and therefore lacking in information. A lish to help define their relationship. Follow the rules for
message of zero redundancy would be completely maintaining relationships when you do in fact wish to
unpredictable; a message of 100 percent redundancy maintain and even strengthen them.
would be completely predictable. All human languages repair. Attempts to reverse the process of relationship deteri-
contain some degree of built-in redundancy, generally oration. Recognize the problem, engage in productive con-
estimated to be about 50 percent. flict resolution, pose possible solutions, affirm each other,
referent power. Personal power derived from others’ desire to integrate solutions into normal behavior, and take risks as
identify with or be like the individual. appropriate.
reflexiveness. The feature of human language that makes response. Any overt or covert behavior.
it possible for that language to be used to refer to itself; restatement. A message that repeats an idea in different
that is, reflexiveness lets us talk about our talk and words, often used to achieve emphasis or clarity.
create a metalanguage—a language for talking about reward power. Power based on a person’s ability to reward
language. another person.
regulators. Nonverbal behaviors that regulate, monitor, or rigid complementarity. Inability to break away from a com-
control the communications of another person. plementary type of relationship that was once appropriate
rehearsal. The process of fixing in mind the delivery of your but is no longer.
public speech. Rehearse your speech often, perfect your de- role. The part an individual plays in a group; an individual’s
livery, rehearse the speech as a whole, time the speech at function or expected behavior.
each rehearsal, approximate the specific speech situation roundtable. A small group format in which group members
as much as possible, see and think of yourself as a public arrange themselves in a circular or semicircular pattern;
speaker, and incorporate any delivery notes that may be participants meet to share information or solve problems
of value during the actual speech presentation. without any set pattern as to who speaks when.
rejection. A response to an individual that disagrees with rules theory. A theory that describes relationships as interac-
or denies the validity of something the individual says tions governed by a series of rules that the members agree
or does. to follow. When the rules are followed, the relationship is
relational communication. Communication between or maintained; when they are broken, the relationship
among intimates or people in close relationships; used by experiences difficulty.