PATTERNS

OF
INTERPERSONAL
COMMUNICATION
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

 Interpersonal Communication is “the type or kind of

communication that happens when the people involved
talk and listen in ways that maximize the presence of the
personal.”

 It includes message sending and message reception

between two or more individuals. This can include all
aspects of communication such as listening, persuading,
asserting, nonverbal communication, and more.
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

 It can involve one on one conversations or

individuals interacting with many people within a
society. It helps us understand how and why
people behave and communicate in different
ways to construct and negotiate a social reality.
INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION

 It can be conducted using both direct and indirect

mediums of communication such as face-to-face
interaction, as well as computer-mediated-communication.

 Successful interpersonal communication assumes that

both the message senders and the message receivers will
interpret and understand the messages being sent on a
level of understood meanings and implications.
ONE WAY
 Interpersonal communication can be classified as either one-
way or two-way.

 One way communication occurs when the sender transmits

information in the form of direction, without any
expectation of discussion or feedback.

 For example, a manager may stop by an employee's desk to

inform him that a certain project will be due the following
day. One-way communication is faster and easier for the
sender—because he or she does not have to deal with
potential questions or disagreement from the receiver—but
tends to be overused in business situations.
TWO-WAY
 Two-way communication involves the sharing of information
between two or more parties in a constructive exchange.

 For example, a manager may hold a staff meeting in order to

establish the due dates for a number of projects. Engaging in
two-way communication indicates that the sender is receptive
to feedback and willing to provide a response. Although it is
more difficult and time-consuming for the sender than one-
way communication, it also ensures a more accurate
understanding of the message.
PATTERNS OF INTERACTION

 Established patterns of interaction are created when

a trend occurs regarding how two people interact
with each other.

 There are two patterns of particular importance to

the theory which form two kinds of relationships.
These relationships are, symmetrical relationships
and complementary relationships.
COMPLEMENTARY RELATIONSHIPS

 These relationships are established when the

pattern of interaction is defined by two people
responding to one and other in opposing ways.
An example of such a relationship would be
when one person is argumentative while the other
is quiet.
SYMMETRICAL RELATIONSHIPS

 These relationships are established when the

pattern of interaction is defined by two people
responding to one and other in the same way.
This is a common pattern of interaction within
power struggles.
EXAMPLE
 Symmetrical relationship is one where both
partners share the same roles. Both people work,
both do housework and cooking etc, and each
person has their chance to make decisions.
THANK YOU