Full Description
Close Encounters: Communication in Relationships helps students learn about their own relationships with romantic partners, friends, and family members by focusing on issues that are central to describing and understanding close relationships. Best-selling authors Laura K. Guerrero, Peter A. Andersen, and Walid A. Afifi present research-based insights and content illustrated with engaging scenarios to show how state-of-the-art research and theory can be applied to specific issues within relationships. The updated Sixth Edition includes fresh content reflecting current research and trends in relationships, balanced with coverage of classic research, and continues to empower readers to be more critical consumers of information about relationships.
Contents
Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 • Conceptualizing Relational Communication: Definitions and Principles
The Field of Personal Relationships: A Brief History
Relationships
Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Principles of Relational Communication
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 2 • Communicating Identity: The Social Self
The Development of Personal Identity
Principles of Identity Management
Communicating Identity to Others
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 3 • Drawing People Together: Forces of Social Attraction
Attraction
A Framework for Understanding Attraction
Personal Qualities
Other People's Qualities
Qualities of the Pair
Qualities of the Physical or Social Environment
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 4 • Making Sense of Our World: Managing Uncertainty and Expectancy Violations
What Is Uncertainty?
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
Secret Tests
Predicted Outcome Value Theory
The Theory of Motivated Information Management
Relational Turbulence Theory
Expectancy Violations
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 5 • Changing Relationships: Stages, Turning Points, and Dialectics
Communication Skills
Relationship Stages
Turning Points
Relational Dialectics
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 6 • Revealing and Hiding Ourselves: Self-Disclosure and Privacy
Self-Disclosure
Privacy
Topic Avoidance and Secret Keeping
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 7 • Communicating Closeness: Affection, Immediacy, and Social Support
Closeness in Relationships
Affectionate Communication
Immediacy Behavior
Cognitive Valence Theory
Supportive Communication
Sex Differences in the Experience and Expression of Closeness
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 8 • Making a Love Connection: Styles of Love and Attachment
What Is Love?
Love Styles
Attachment Theory
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 9 • Communicating Sexually: The Closest Physical Encounter
Sexual Attitudes
Casual Sex
Sex in Relationships
Communication About Sex
Safe Sex
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 10 • Staying Close: Maintaining Relationships
Defining Relational Maintenance
Behaviors Used to Maintain Relationships
Maintenance Behavior in Romantic Relationships
Maintenance Behavior in Same-Sex Friendships
Maintenance Behavior in Cross-Sex Friendships
Maintenance Challenges in Other Relationships
Equity Theory
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 11 • Coping With Conflict: When Relational Partners Disagree
Conflict in Relationships
Conflict Styles
Patterns of Conflict Interaction
Attributions During Conflict
Communication Skill Deficits
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 12 • Influencing Each Other: Dominance and Power Plays in Relationships
Defining Power and Related Terms
Power Principles
Interpersonal Influence Goals
Verbal Power Ploys
Nonverbal Positions of Power
Traditional Versus Egalitarian Marriages
Culture, Equality, and Power
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 13 • Hurting the Ones We Love: Relational Transgressions
Hurt Feelings in Relationships
Deception
Infidelity
Jealousy
Unrequited Love
Obsessive Relational Intrusion
Relational Violence
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 14 • Healing the Hurt: Relationship Repair and Reconciliation
The Investment Model of Relationship-Maintaining Behavior
The Model of Accommodation
Remedial Strategies
Forgiveness
Relational Reconciliation
On-Again Off-Again Relationships
Relational Redefinition: Can We Still Be Friends?
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 15 • Ending Relationships: Disengagement and Termination
Why Relationships End
Communication as a Cause of Breakups
The Disengagement Process
The Many Ways to Leave Your Partner
The Bad and the Good of Relationship Endings
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Glossary
References
Author Index
Subject Index
About the Authors
