The #1 Resource for the Communication Field
Every person needs to communicate with other people, but the barriers and subtleties of our interpersonal communications often go undetected. In this section of our blog, we look at the latest interpersonal communication studies and critical theories to develop a better understanding of how people communicate face-to-face and through new technologies like social networking websites and text messaging systems. We will also take a look at small group interactions to learn how our interpersonal skills change and adapt to different situations. By understanding our interpersonal skills, our group communicative skills and how these skills can develop in response to new technologies, we can look for ways to positively treat interpersonal disorders and how to change our interactions with other individuals.
With computer-mediated communication, reading and writing have become a tango. Text is ephemeral, disposable, spontaneous – much like real-time natural language. In fact, texting occurs at near-conversation rates. How does this alter our experience of the written word? When text communication approaches this rate of exchange, something new kicks in: emotions and fleeting thoughts get mingled with the generation of words. Read more »
With the selection of Howard Stern as a new panel member on America’s Got Talent, it made me realize that behind all his controversy, he’s doing something right. As a radio personality, talk show host, and prominent media figure, Howard Stern knows a few things about the world of communication. It makes sense considering he graduated magna cum laude with a communications degree from Boston University. Read more »
A survey from mobile phone news website Recombu shows that sexting is popular but sometimes complicated. People often mistakenly send sexts to the wrong people, or in some cases, the wrong partner. Sexting, sending sexually themed pictures or messages by cell phone, is popular with both men and women according to the survey of 2,000 [...] Read more »
It’s been said that every seven seconds men think about sex, but what time of day do they think about it most, are they the only ones thinking about it, and what causes them to think about it? Oh, and as for love, why do we so often get the two confused? Read more »
Sherry Turkle, a psychologist who has studied the effect of digital technology on human interactions, believes that cell phones and computers offer an unhealthy constant connection without any of the real responsibilities or inherent messiness of real human interactions. Read more »
A new study suggests that chimpanzees and human toddlers are inclined to follow majority rule. The study showed that chimpanzees and 2-year old toddlers were both more likely to repeat a peer group’s actions than a single peer’s actions. Read more »
Ancient Greek philosophers seemed to know it all. So it's no surprise that philosophers like Plato, Aristotle, Epictetus, and Socrates would also speak the language of love fluently. We've compiled some of the most suave and debonaire quotes by Greek philosophers that would put even Cassanova to shame. Read more »
Credibility is everything. Newspapers that get the facts wrong are torn to shreds and politicians lacking experience don’t get elected, while people in lab coats command our respect immediately. Communication scholars define credibility as being the perception of one’s competence, trustworthiness, and goodwill. But as you probably know, perceptions can be hacked. Read more »
As powerful as gestures are, however, their meanings are not always universal. Gestures often remain the same across cultures but carry dramatically different meanings and connotations. Use the following infographic to learn more about common American hand gestures and their meanings in different parts of the world. Read more »
If you’ve ever bought something even though you knew you didn’t need it and didn’t really want it, but couldn’t seem to tell the salesperson no, then you know you were manipulated. However, manipulation isn’t always so obvious. Read more »