Chapter 1 Learning outcomes

After studying the material in this chapter, you should be able to

• identify examples of the physical, identity, social, and practical needs you attempt to satisfy by communicating;
• explain the interpersonal communication process: its transactional nature, governing principles, and characteristics;
• describe the degrees to which your communication is qualitatively impersonal and interpersonal;
• explain the advantages and drawbacks of various types of computer mediated communication in relation to face to face communication;
• define culture and co-culture, and explain the concept of degrees of intercultural communication;
• compare Canadian and American perceptions of violence, diversity, and the relative status of men and women and explain how these differences affect our interpretation of American interpersonal communication research findings; and
• identify principles of communication competence and characteristics of competent communicators.