Updated in a new 2nd edition, Interpersonal Messages stresses the importance of politeness, cultural awareness and ethical principles within daily interpersonal interactions by engaging students with its lively and accessible insight to interpersonal skill development. By creating a foundation for the reader, Interpersonal Messages gives room to understand the concepts of interpersonal communication and to develop the skills necessary to apply what they've learned. With a focus on skill-building, this book helps the reader to understand how to master interpersonal communication and relationship skills.

Table of Contents:
Part One. Preliminaries to Interpersonal Messages    Chapter 1 Foundations of Interpersonal Communication    Why Study Interpersonal Communication           The Nature of Interpersonal Communication The Elements of Interpersonal CommunicationInterpersonal Competence  Principles of Interpersonal Communication   Chapter 2 Culture and Interpersonal Communication    Culture and Interpersonal Communication   Cultural Differences  Intercultural Communication    Chapter 3 Perception and the Self in Interpersonal Communication The Self in Interpersonal Communication Perception in Interpersonal Communication Impression Formation Impression Management: Goals and Strategies   Chapter 4 Listening in Interpersonal Communication  The Importance of Listening: Task and Relationship Benefits   The Stages of Listening  Listening Barriers Styles of Listening Effectively  Listening, Culture, and Gender    Part Two. Interpersonal Messages in Context     Chapter 5 Verbal Messages Principles of Verbal Messages Confirmation and Disconfirmation  Guidelines for Using Verbal Messages Effectively  Chapter 6 Nonverbal Messages The Benefits of Effective Nonverbal Communication The Functions of Nonverbal Messages The Channels of Nonverbal Messages Some Nonverbal Communication Skills   Chapter 7 Emotional Messages Principles of Emotions and Emotional Messages Obstacles in Communicating Emotions Skills for Expressing Emotions Learn to Handle Anger: A Special Case Illustration Skills for Responding to the Emotions of Others   Chapter 8 Messages in Conversation Principles of Conversation Conversational Disclosure: Revealing Yourself Everyday Conversation   Chapter 9 Interpersonal Relationships Advantages and Disadvantages of Interpersonal Relationships Relationship Stages Relationship Movement The Dark Side of Interpersonal Relationships   Chapter 10 Interpersonal Relationship Types and Theories Relationship Types Relationship Theories Chapter 11 Interpersonal Conflict Management   What Is Interpersonal Conflict?  Principles of Interpersonal Conflict  Conflict Management Stages  Conflict Management Strategies