Communication and Intimacy

A symbolic, transational process that involves creating and sharing meanings through consistent patterns of interaction.

A type of communication feedback that conveys the message to a partner that he or she is values. Confirmation also involves conveying an enthusiams for the relationship, an interest in its welfare, and a deep and ongoing commitment to making it work.

A message is congruent when its different components (verbal,/nonverbal, content/relationship) all convey the same meaning.

The literal content of a message, or what is communicated.

he unique ways in which individuals shape and frame messages when interacting with others.

The meaning attributes to the metamessages that accompany a literal message. The assignment of meaning to someone's metamessages is not an objective event but a personal, subjective process. As such, each person assigns meaning to a behavior that may differ from the meaning another would assign.

The information that is exchanged when we communicate. Messages carry information at two levels: a content level and a relationship level.

communication about the communication process- a process of talking about the communication process that can lead to greater clarity and the experience of intimacy.

The information conveyed in how a message is expressed: the "message about the message." Metamessage are conveyed in the behaviors and nonverbal cues that accompany literal messages.

Gestures and behaviors that accompany interaction that have symbolic value attributed to them.

A system of rules for communication within an intimate relationship. The private message system gives the couple's relationship its distinctive quality, helps to organize the strategies that will be needed to face the many tasks and issues that will arise, and influences how couples feel about the relationship.

The way in which the information contained in how the content of a message is expressed is used to determine how to interpret the literal content of the message.

The tendency for individuals to match the disclosures of others with disclosures of their own that are equally revealing.

The process of revealing personal information about the self.

The level of positive feelings individuals have toward themselves. The greater the person's self-esteem, the more likely he or she is to be open to the verbal and nonverbal expressions of others and to interpret another's communications accurately.

The ability of individuals to adapt their manner of communication to various social situations.

A part of the communication process that fosters intimacy and manage conflict; the ability to establish realistic communication strategies and rules for interaction, and to exercise the self-control needed to keep the communication flowing toward desired goals.