Interpersonal Communication: Putting Theory into Practice

Some of us may believe that interpersonal communication is a matter of common sense or that skillful communication is an innate ability that you either have or you don’t. In this text, Denise Solomon and Jennifer Theiss demonstrate that interpersonal communication skills are not just common sense; nor are they mysterious qualities that defy learning. Interpersonal Communication: Putting Theory into Practice draws on theory and research in the interpersonal communication discipline to help you identify strategies to improve your communication skills. Denise and Jen introduce interpersonal communication as a subject of scientific research that has enormous relevance to your daily lives. You will learn to use what researchers have discovered about interpersonal communication to improve your own ability to communicate well. You will also read about contemporary research in interpersonal communication, a foundation for establishing skill-building tips.

In making research accessible, Denise and Jen show that communication scholars tackle important questions that have real-life relevance, and they dispel myths about interpersonal communication. A touchstone throughout this book is a commitment to topics and applications that can help you in many different situations and throughout your life. The companion website provides self-assessment quizzes, video interviews with scholars, and more. When you have finished reading this text, you will be better prepared to communicate effectively in all areas of your world, with skills and understanding that you can use to improve your interactions with the people around you.

If you're looking for an interpersonal textbook that will have students devouring scholarly research and applying it to their everyday lives, look no further. Solomon and Theiss present all the latest research in a conversational and approachable way, with clear examples, thought-provoking questions, and fun exercises for practice.

--Rachel McLaren, University of Iowa

Interpersonal Communication: Putting Theory into Practice is a timely and much needed book on fundamental interpersonal communication processes that carefully applies communication theories to describe both the ups and downs of interactions with strangers, acquaintances, close friends, romantic partners, and family members, with a careful treatment of the ethical implications of interacting in a variety of contexts. Using current, real world exemplars, with an intuitive organization, this book will be of interest to students seeking to be introduced to the role of communication in their everyday lives, as well as advanced communication students ready to further contemplate and apply communication theory to a heightened understanding of human interaction.

-- Jennifer Samp, University of Georgia

•  Interpersonal Communication: Putting Theory Into Practice is a clear, comprehensive blend of recently published research and practical advice.

• Interpersonal Communication: Putting Theory Into Practice combines straightforward writing and the most recently published research into a comprehensive interpersonal communication text.

• Interpersonal Communication: Putting Theory Into Practice would be an ideal text for an introductory course on interpersonal communication. It is clearly written, comprehensive, and features a straightforward blend of social scientific research and practical advice.

-- Kyle Tusing, University of Arizona

Solomon and Theiss do a masterful job of translating cutting-edge scholarship into an accessible format. Their work offers a delicate blend of scholarship coupled with practical skill-building activities, creative exercises, and thought-provoking reflection questions. Their enthusiasm for the subject matter leaps off every page. Instructors and students alike will no doubt find this book to be an indispensable part of their interpersonal communication course.

--Leanne Knobloch, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

This is an excellent text. The topics are critically important and focus on the interests and needs of today’s students. The writing is engaging and the presentation is well organized. Sound recommendations are made for effective communication all of which are firmly grounded in research. In addition, this project humanizes the research process by introducing students to active scholars. They gain insights into topics are studied and the implications of the research for practice. Extremely well done!!

--Michael Roloff, Northwestern University

A comprehensive and thought-provoking introduction to interpersonal communication that highlights the practical import of theory as well as the manifold ethical dimensions of human interaction.

--Charles Berger, University of California-Davis

Interpersonal Communication: Putting Theory into Practice is an ideal text for instructors who want to introduce undergraduate students to cutting-edge interpersonal communication theory and research in ways that are accessible, meaningful, and enriching. Solomon and Theiss are well known communication scholars, and they've managed to write a text that offers a coherent view on the nature of interpersonal communication and why it matters personally, professionally, and socially. Through the use of self assessments, sample conversations, skill building activities, and ethical reflections, they help bring interpersonal communication research to life.

--Steve Wilson, Purdue University