Now in a new edition, Interplay: The Process of Interpersonal Communication provides a comprehensive and engaging introduction to communication in interpersonal relationships.

Based on an extensive body of scholarship, Interplay cites more than 1,200 sources – almost 25% of which are new to this edition – and provides a variety of thought-provoking photos, sidebars, and cartoons that illustrate key points in the text and connect them to everyday life and popular culture. Updated and revised throughout, the tenth edition is now more accessible and useful to students, with revisions based on detailed recommendations by leading scholars in the field.

UPDATED FEATURES OF THE TENTH EDITION

• Revised and expanded material examines the relationship between gender and language use, the pervasiveness and inevitability of casual "mindless" listening, conflict styles, co-cultures within American society, and relational maintenance.
• Focus on Research sidebars – 50% of which are new to this edition – summarize current research on interesting and important topics. New profiles provide information on such topics as cell phone etiquette, self-presentation strategies of first-generation college students, unwritten rules for expressing emotions on the job, methods used by college students to discourage drinking and driving, and the functions of telling secrets in close relationships.
• Film Clips – 50% of which are new to this edition – profile recent feature films that illustrate communication concepts. These clips include Crash (stereotyping), Garden State (emotional expression), 50 First Dates (relational stages), Bend It Like Beckham (relational dialectics), and Before Sunset (self-disclosure).
• An inviting new design features provocative photos and clever cartoons that reinforce concepts from the text and encourage students to explore the book's content.
• The Interplay website at www.oup.com/us/interplay offers a wealth of resources for both students and their professors – online self-testing and other study aids, links to a variety of communication-related websites, and "Now Playing" reviews of recent films.

Each chapter ends with a Summary and Activities. PART ONE: FOUNDATIONS OF INTERPERSONAL COMMUNICATION CHAPTER ONE Interpersonal Process Why We Communicate Physical Needs Identity Needs Social Needs Practical Needs The Communication Process A Model of Communication Insights from the Communication Model Communication Principles Communication Misconceptions Interpersonal Communication Defined Quantitative and Qualitative Definitions Personal and Impersonal Communication: A Matter of Balance Interpersonal Communication and Technology Communication Competence Communication Competence Defined Characteristics of Competent Communication CHAPTER TWO Culture and Communication Fundamental Concepts Culture and Co-Culture Intercultural Communication Interpersonal and Intercultural Communication Cultural Values and Norms High- versus Low-Context Individualism versus Collectivism Power Distance Uncertainty Avoidance Achievement versus Nurturing Codes and Culture Verbal Codes Nonverbal Codes Decoding Messages Developing Intercultural Communication Competence Motivation and Attitude Tolerance for Ambiguity Open-mindedness Knowledge and Skill CHAPTER THREE Communication and the Self Communication and the Self-Concept How the Self-Concept Develops Characteristics of the Self-Concept The Self-Fulfilling Prophecy and Communication Changing Your Self-Concept Presenting the Self: Communication as Identity Management Public and Private Selves Characteristics of Identity Management Why Manage Impressions? How Do We Manage Impressions? Identity Management and Honesty CHAPTER FOUR Perceiving Others The Perception Process Reality Is Constructed Steps in the Perception Process Influences on Perception Physiological Influences Psychological Influences Social Influences Cultural Influences Common Tendencies in Perception We Make Snap Judgments We Cling to First Impressions We Judge Ourselves More Charitably Than We Do Others We Are Influenced by Our Expectations We Are Influenced by the Obvious We Assume Others Are Like Us Synchronizing Our Perceptions Perception Checking Building Empathy PART TWO: CREATING AND RESPONDING TO MESSAGES Language Is Subjective Language and Worldview The Impact of Language Naming and Identity Credibility and Status CHAPTER FIVE Language The Nature of Language Language Is Symbolic Language Is Rule-Governed Affiliation, Attraction, and Interest Power Sexism and Racism Uses (and Abuses) of Language Precision and Vagueness The Language of Responsibility Disruptive Language Gender and Language Extent of Gender Differences Accounting for Gender Differences CHAPTER SIX Nonverbal Communication Nonverbal Communication Defined Characteristics of Nonverbal Communication All Behavior Has Communicative Value Nonverbal Communication Is Primarily Relational Nonverbal Communication Is Ambiguous Nonverbal Communication Is Influenced by Culture Functions of Nonverbal Communication Creating and Maintaining Relationships Regulating Interaction Influencing Others Concealing/Deceiving Managing Identity Types of Nonverbal Communication Face and Eyes Body Movement Touch Voice Proxemics Territoriality Time Physical Attractiveness Clothing Physical Environment CHAPTER SEVEN Listening: Understanding and Supporting Others The Nature of Listening The Importance of Listening Listening Defined Reasons for Listening The Challenge of Listening Listening Is Not Easy All Listeners Do Not Receive the Same Message Poor Listening Habits Components of Listening Hearing Attending Understanding Remembering Responding Types of Listening Responses Silent Listening Questioning Paraphrasing Empathizing Supporting Analyzing Evaluating Advising Which Style to Use? CHAPTER EIGHT Emotions What Are Emotions? Physiological Changes Nonverbal Reactions Cognitive Interpretations Verbal Expression Influences on Emotional Expression Personality Culture Biological Sex and Gender Social Conventions Social Roles Fear of Self-Disclosure Emotional Contagion Guidelines for Expressing Emotions Recognize Your Feelings Choose the Best Language Share Multiple Feelings Recognize the Difference between Feeling and Acting Accept Responsibility for Your Feelings Choose the Best Time and Place to Express Your Feelings Managing Difficult Emotions Facilitative and Debilitative Emotions Thoughts Cause Feelings Irrational Thinking and Debilitative Emotions Minimizing Debilitative Emotions PART THREE: DIMENSIONS OF INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIPS CHAPTER NINE Dynamics of Interpersonal Relationships Why We Form Relationships Appearance Similarity Complementarity Rewards Competency Proximity Disclosure Communication and Relational Dynamics Developmental Models of Interpersonal Relationships Communication and Relational Maintenance Dialectical Perspectives on Relational Dynamics Communicating about Relationships Compliance-Gaining in Interpersonal Relationships Types of Compliance-Gaining Strategies Which Strategy to Choose? CHAPTER TEN Intimacy and Distance in Relationships Intimacy and Distance: Striking a Balance Dimensions of Intimacy Dimensions of Distance The Dialectics of Intimacy and Distance Influences on Intimacy and Distance Male and Female Intimacy Styles Cultural Influences on Intimacy Self-Disclosure in Relationships A Definition of Self-Disclosure Degrees of Self-Disclosure A Model of Self-Disclosure Risks and Benefits of Self-Disclosure Alternatives to Self-Disclosure Silence Lying Equivocation Hinting The Ethics of Evasion Guidelines for Self-Disclosure Is the Other Person Important to You? Is the Risk of Disclosing Reasonable? Is the Self-Disclosure Appropriate? Is the Disclosure Relevant to the Situation at Hand? Is the Disclosure Reciprocated? Will the Effect Be Constructive? Is the Self-Disclosure Clear and Understandable? CHAPTER ELEVEN Communication Climate What Is Communication Climate? How Communication Climates Develop Levels of Message Confirmation Defensiveness Assertiveness Climate Patterns Creating Positive Climates Evaluation versus Description Control versus Problem Orientation Strategy versus Spontaneity Neutrality versus Empathy Superiority versus Equality Certainty versus Provisionalism Transforming Negative Climates Seek More Information Agree with the Critic CHAPTER TWELVE Managing Conflict What Is Conflict? Expressed Struggle Perceived Incompatible Goals Perceived Scarce Rewards Interdependence Inevitability Functional and Dysfunctional Conflicts Integration versus Polarization Cooperation versus Opposition Confirmation versus Disconfirmation Agreement versus Coercion De-Escalation versus Escalation Focusing versus Drifting Foresight versus Shortsightedness Positive versus Negative Results Conflict Styles Avoidance (Lose-Lose) Accommodation (Lose-Win) Competition (Win-Lose) Compromise (Negotiated Lose-Lose) Collaboration (Win-Win) Which Style to Use? Conflict in Relational Systems Complementary, Symmetrical, and Parallel Styles Intimate and Aggressive Styles Conflict Rituals Variables in Conflict Styles Gender Culture Conflict Management in Practice APPENDIXES APPENDIX ONE Communication in Families Types of Family Communication Spouses/Partners Parent-Child Siblings Elements of Family Communication Families as Communication Systems Roles Family Narratives Models for Other Relationships Communication Rules Effective Communication in Families Strive for Closeness While Respecting Boundaries Strive for a Moderate Level of Adaptability Encourage Confirming Messages Deal Constructively with Conflict Summary APPENDIX TWO Interpersonal Communication at Work Communicating in Organizations Formal and Informal Relationships Face-to-Face and Mediated Relationships Personal Relationships Giving Praise Offering Constructive Feedback Relationships in Work Groups Personal Skills in Work Groups Group Cultures Leadership, Power, and Influence in Working Groups Interviewing Before the Interview During the Interview After the Interview Summary Glossary References Credits Name Index Subject Index

Ronald B. Adler – Professor of Communication, Santa Barbara City College

Lawrence B. Rosenfeld – Professor of Communication, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Russell F. Proctor, II – Professor of Communication, Northern Kentucky University