Interpersonal Communication- A Mindful Approach to Relationships, 2020a

Chapter Wrap-Up
As we discussed at the beginning of this chapter, families are a central part of our lives. Thankfully,
several communication scholars have devoted their careers to understanding families. In this chapter,
we started by exploring the nature of family relationships with a specific focus on family communication
patterns and family systems. Next, we explored the family life cycle. We then discussed the nature of
sibling relationships. Lastly, we ended the chapter by discussing marriage.
End of Chapter
Key Terms
• Autonomy
• Concept-Orientation
• Family
• Genogram
• Ideology of traditionalism
• Independents
• Individuality
• Launching Stage
• Separates
• Sibling hostility
• Sibling warmth
• Socio-Orientation
• System
• Third-Culture
• Togetherness
• Traditionals
• Undifferentiated space
Real World Case Study
demonstrate your understanding of these three marital types.
Nick and Diane were strangers flying on Continental flight 05 from London’s Gatwick Airport to
Houston, TX, when the terrorist attacks on 9-11 struck in the United States. Their plane, along with
38 other wide-body jets, was diverted to Gander International Airport in Newfoundland, Canada.
Gander is a city of approximately 10,000 people. What the town lacked in size, the airport made up
for in capacity.
Gander International Airport was at one point one of the busiest airports in the world because
it was the refueling stop for all planes flying from the United States to Europe and from Europe to
the United States. In fact, over the years, Gander played host to Winston Churchill, Frank Sinatra,
President Ronald Reagan, Marilyn Monroe, Elvis Presley, and many others who had stop-overs at
the airport. As airlines switched to planes with larger fuel capacities, the need for Gander as the
refueling stop faded into a thing of the past.
On 9-11, 38 planes, along with 6,122 passengers and 473 flight crew members, suddenly joined
the small community. As you can imagine, most cities are not prepared for a population growth of
66% in a matter of hours. Thankfully, the community members of Gander rallied and took care of
those passengers and flight crew for four days in what was dubbed Operation Yellow Ribbon.
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Interpersonal Communication