Interpersonal communication : the whole story / Kory Floyd.

Includes bibliographical references (p. N-1-N-35) and index.

1. About communication. Why do we communicate? -- The nature of communication -- How do we communicate interpersonally? -- Building your communication competence -- 2. Culture and gender. Understanding culture and communication -- How culture affects communication -- Understanding gender and communication -- How gender affects communication -- 3. Communication and the self. Understanding the self : your self-concept -- Valuing the self : self-esteem -- Presenting the self : image management -- Communicating the self : self-disclosure -- 4. Interpersonal perception. Perception is a process -- Fundamental forces in interpersonal perception -- How we explain what we perceive -- Improving your perceptual abilities -- 5. Language. The nature of language -- Appreciating the power of words -- How we use and abuse language -- Improving your language use -- 6. Nonverbal communication. The nature of nonverbal communication -- Functions of nonverbal communication -- Improving your nonverbal communication skills -- 7. Listening. The nature of listening -- Ways of listening -- Common barriers to effective listening -- Becoming a better listener -- 8. Interpersonal communication in social relationships. Why social relationships matter -- Forming and maintaining social bonds -- Characteristics of friendships -- Social relationships in the workplace -- 9. Intimate relationships. The nature of intimate relationships -- Communicating in romantic relationships -- Communicating in families -- Improving communication in intimate relationships -- 10. Interpersonal conflict. What is interpersonal conflict? -- Conflict in personal relationships -- Power and conflict -- Managing interpersonal conflict -- 11. Deception. The nature of interpersonal deception -- Deceptive acts are diverse -- Communication behaviors and deception -- Detecting lies in different contexts -- 12. Emotion. Emotion in interpersonal communication -- The nature of emotion -- Influences on emotional experience and expression -- Emotional communication skills.

This textbook introduces the practices and principles of interpersonal communication in both dyadic and group settings, and the effects of communication on people in society. Emphasis is on the communication process; issues addressed include perception, listening, self-disclosure, speech apprehension, ethics, nonverbal communication, conflict, power, and dysfunctional communication.