Interpersonal Communication

What this unit covers

The resources follow the usual run of an interpersonal communication course. Early material deals with definitions and models: the flashcards in Chapter 1 Vocab list terms such as channel, decoding, dyad, feedback and the linear communication model. Chapter 3 Vocab moves on to attribution, empathy, face, identity management and perception checking.

Later items look at relationships and how they work. There are maps on friendship, on deception, on social support and on uncertainty reduction theory, plus notes and quizzes on conflict, mediation and communicating with family.

Where to start

1. Open the mind map Interpersonal Communication for an overview of the topic.
2. Work through the vocabulary decks, Chapter 1 Vocab first, then Chapter 3 Vocab.
3. Move to a topic map such as Verbal Communication, Face or Active Listening.
4. Test yourself with a quiz.

Using quizzes and maps together

Read a map first, then take a quiz on the same theme. The quiz on close relationships in the Revel Review for chapters 8 to 10 asks what makes a relationship close, so it pairs well with the maps on friendship and interpersonal relationships. Note the questions you miss, go back to the matching map branch, then try again.

The flashcard deck on listener response styles covers evaluative, advising, interpreting, probing and supporting responses. Use it alongside the maps on listening to practise telling them apart.

Where it sits

This unit belongs to the strand Interpersonal, Group and Intercultural Communication, within Communication and journalism. Because it sits beside group and intercultural work, the small group communication map is a handy next step.

Make it your own

Teachers can lift ready-made quizzes and decks for a class. Students can borrow the structure of these maps and write their own versions in their own words.