Reaching Out provides the theory and experience necessary for students to develop effective interpersonal skills. By reviewing current psychological research on how to build and maintain friendships and then integrating this material with a rich array of skill-building exercises, the text provides a thorough and appealing approach to learning about interpersonal skills. Readers acquire the skills and knowledge to do the following: a) get to know and trust each other; b) communicate with each other accurately and unambiguously; c) resolve conflicts and relationship problems constructively; and d) encourage and appreciate diversity. No matter what occupations or relationships students become involved in, their success will largely be determined by how skilled they are interpersonally. With this book, students begin a journey of continuous improvement.

Table of Contents:
Chapters 2-11 conclude with “Chapter Review,” “Summary,” and “Answers.” 1.The Power of Interpersonal Skills. The Power of Interpersonal Skills. The Relationship Imperative. Why Improve Your Interpersonal Skills? Your Invitation to Improve Your Interpersonal Skills? What's in This Book? Interpersonal Interaction and Relationships. The Value of Interpersonal Relationships. The Application of Social Science Research to Interpersonal Skills. Learning from Experience. Learning Interpersonal Skills. Accepting the Invitation. 2.Self-Disclosure. Introduction. Being Open with and to Other People. Openness with Other Individuals. Self-Disclosure and Self-Awareness. Self-Awareness Through Feedback from Others. Self-Acceptance and Self-Disclosure. Self-Disclosure and Self-Presentation. 3.Developing and Maintaining Trust. Introduction. Developing and Maintaining Trust. Being Trusting and Trustworthy. Building Interpersonal Trust. Destroying Trust. Reestablishing Trust after It Has Been Broken. Trusting Appropriately. Comprehension Test. 4.Increasing Your Communication Skills. Introduction. What Is Communication? Effective Communication versus Misunderstandings. Comprehension Test A. Sending Messages Effectively. Comprehension Test B. Comprehension Test C. Improving Your Receiving Skills. Theory on Listening and Responding. Comprehension Test D. Theory on Selective Perception in Listening and Responding. Comprehension Test E. Comprehension Test F. Towards Improved Communication Skills. 5.Expressing Your Feelings Verbally. The Power of Feelings. Saying What You Feel. What's Going on Inside? Comprehension Test A. When Feelings Are Not Expressed. Comprehension Test B. Expressing Your Feelings Verbally. Comprehension Test C. Checking Your Perception of Another's Feelings. 6.Expressing Your Feelings Nonverbally. Introduction. Nonverbal Communication. Importance of Making Your Verbal and Nonverbal Messages Congruent. 7.Helpful Listening and Responding. Responding to Another Person's Problems. Intentions Underlying the Responses. Comprehension Test A. Helping People Solve Their Problems. Listening and Responding Alternatives. Comprehension Test B. Phrasing an Accurate Understanding Response. 8.Resolving Interpersonal Conflicts. You Must Negotiate. Comprehension Test A. Conflict Strategies. Comprehension Test B. Negotiating. Effective Problem-Solving Negotiating. Refusal Skills: This Issue Is Nonnegotiable. 9.Anger, Stress, and Managing Feelings. The Nature of Stress. Managing Stress through Social Support Systems. The Nature and Value of Anger. Comprehension Test. Rules for Managing Anger Constructively. Eliminating Unwanted Feelings from Your Life. How to Deal with an Angry Person. Anger and Negotiations. Managing Anger Constructively: A Checklist. 10.Building Relationships with Diverse Individuals. Introduction. Step One: Recognize and Value Diversity. Step Two: Interact with Diverse Individuals in a Cooperative Context. Step Three: Build Pride in Your Historical and Cultural Identity. Step Four: Appreciate Other's Historical and Cultural Backgrounds. Step Five: Establish a Superordinate Identity. Step Six: Reduce Internal Barriers to Constructive Interaction. Step Seven: Resolve Conflicts Constructively. Step Eight: Internalize Pluralistic Values. Other Aspects of Diversity. Friendships. 11.Barriers to Interpersonal Effectiveness. Introduction. Managing Anxiety and Fear. Breathing. Progressive Muscle Relaxation. Shyness. Understanding Your Shyness. Building Your Self-Esteem. Avoiding Self-Blame. Mistakes and Self-Talk. 12.Epilogue. Importance of Interpersonal Skills. Interpersonal Effectiveness, Self-Actualization, and Interpersonal Skills. Looking Forward. Appendix. Glossary. References. Index.