Interpersonal Communication- A Mindful Approach to Relationships, 2020a

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Chapter 2
Overview of Interpersonal
Communication
Cardi and Tilly have been friends since they were both in kindergarten. They are both applying to
the same college, hoping to be roommates. However, Cardi gets accepted, but Tilly does not. Cardi
is crushed because she wanted to share her college experience with her best friend. Tilly tells Cardi to
go without her and she will try again next year after attending the local junior college for a semester.
Cardi is not as excited to go to college anymore, because she is worried about Tilly. Cardi talks about
different options with her parents, her other friends, and posts about it on social media. This idea of
sharing our experiences, whether it be positive, or negative is interpersonal communication. When we
offer information to other people and they offer information towards us, it is defined as interpersonal
communication.
Interpersonal Communication can be informal (the checkout line) or formal (lecture classroom).
Often, interpersonal communication occurs in face-to-face contexts. It is usually unplanned, spontaneous,
and ungrammatical. Think about the conversations that you have with your friends and family. These are
mainly interpersonal in nature. It is essential to learn about interpersonal communication because this is
the type of communication that you will be doing for most of your life. At most colleges, public speaking
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Interpersonal Communication