Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 • Conceptualizing Relational Communication: Definitions and Principles
The Field of Personal Relationships: A Brief History
Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Principles of Relational Communication
Chapter 2 • Communicating Identity: The Social Self
The Development of Personal Identity
Principles of Identity Management
Communicating Identity to Others
Chapter 3 • Drawing People Together: Forces of Social Attraction
A Framework for Understanding Attraction
Qualities of the Physical or Social Environment
Chapter 4 • Making Sense of Our World: Managing Uncertainty and Expectancy Violations
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
Predicted Outcome Value Theory
The Theory of Motivated Information Management
Relational Turbulence Theory
Chapter 5 • Changing Relationships: Stages, Turning Points, and Dialectics
Chapter 6 • Revealing and Hiding Ourselves: Self-Disclosure and Privacy
Topic Avoidance and Secret Keeping
Chapter 7 • Communicating Closeness: Affection, Immediacy, and Social Support
Closeness in Relationships
Affectionate Communication
Sex Differences in the Experience and Expression of Closeness
Chapter 8 • Making a Love Connection: Styles of Love and Attachment
Chapter 9 • Communicating Sexually: The Closest Physical Encounter
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
Chapter 11 • Coping With Conflict: When Relational Partners Disagree
Conflict in Relationships
Patterns of Conflict Interaction
Attributions During Conflict
Communication Skill Deficits
Chapter 12 • Influencing Each Other: Dominance and Power Plays in Relationships
Defining Power and Related Terms
Interpersonal Influence Goals
Nonverbal Positions of Power
Traditional Versus Egalitarian Marriages
Culture, Equality, and Power
Chapter 13 • Hurting the Ones We Love: Relational Transgressions
Hurt Feelings in Relationships
Obsessive Relational Intrusion
Chapter 14 • Healing the Hurt: Relationship Repair and Reconciliation
The Investment Model of Relationship-Maintaining Behavior
The Model of Accommodation
Relational Reconciliation
On-Again Off-Again Relationships
Relational Redefinition: Can We Still Be Friends?
Chapter 15 • Ending Relationships: Disengagement and Termination
Communication as a Cause of Breakups
The Disengagement Process
The Many Ways to Leave Your Partner
The Bad and the Good of Relationship Endings
Glossary
References
Author Index
Subject Index
About the Authors