Close Encounters

Laura K. Guerrero (PhD, University of Arizona, 1994) is a professor in the Hugh Downs School of Human Communication at Arizona State University, where she teaches courses in relational communication, nonverbal communication, emotional communication, research methods, and data analysis. She has also taught at the Pennsylvania State University and San Diego State University. Her research focuses on communication in close relationships, such as those between romantic partners, friends, and family members. Her research has examined both the “bright side” of personal relationships, including nonverbal intimacy, forgiveness, relational maintenance, and communication skill, and the “dark side” of personal relationships, including jealousy, hurtful events, conflict, and anger. She recently developed a theoretical framework (hurtful events response theory) to explain patterns of communication following hurtful events in close relationships. Dr. Guerrero has published more than 100 journal articles and chapters related to these topics. In addition to Close Encounters, her book credits include Nonverbal Communication in Close Relationships (coauthored with K. Floyd), Nonverbal Communication (coauthored with J. Burgoon & K. Floyd), The Handbook of Communication and Emotion (coedited with P. Andersen), and The Nonverbal Communication Reader (coedited with M. Hecht). She has received several research awards, including the Early Career Achievement Award from the International Association for Relationship Research, the Dickens Research Award from the Western States Communication Association, and the Outstanding Doctoral Dissertation Award from the Interpersonal Communication Division of The International Communication Association. Dr. Guerrero serves on editorial boards for several top journals in communication and relationships. She lives in Phoenix (during the school year) and San Diego (during the summer) with her husband, Vico, and their daughters, Gabrielle and Kristiana. She enjoys reading, writing fiction (when not writing nonfiction), dancing, and taking long walks in the mountains or on the beach. Peter Andersen (PhD, Florida State University) is a professor at San Diego State University. The author of five books and more than 150 book chapters, research papers, and journal articles, he has received recognition as one of the 100 most published scholars in the field of communication. Walid A. Afifi (PhD, University of Arizona) is professor in the Department of Communication at the University of California, Santa Barbara, where he teaches interpersonal communication, relational communication, nonverbal communication, and social marketing. His research revolves around people’s experience of uncertainty and their decisions to seek or avoid information in relational contexts.

Preface
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1 • Conceptualizing Relational Communication: Definitions and Principles
The Field of Personal Relationships: A Brief History
Relationships
Principles of Interpersonal Communication
Principles of Relational Communication
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 2 • Communicating Identity: The Social Self
The Development of Personal Identity
Principles of Identity Management
Communicating Identity to Others
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 3 • Drawing People Together: Forces of Social Attraction
Attraction
A Framework for Understanding Attraction
Personal Qualities
Other People’s Qualities
Qualities of the Pair
Qualities of the Physical or Social Environment
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 4 • Making Sense of Our World: Managing Uncertainty and Expectancy Violations
What Is Uncertainty?
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
Secret Tests
Predicted Outcome Value Theory
The Theory of Motivated Information Management
Relational Turbulence Theory
Expectancy Violations
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 5 • Changing Relationships: Stages, Turning Points, and Dialectics
Communication Skills
Relationship Stages
Turning Points
Relational Dialectics
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 6 • Revealing and Hiding Ourselves: Self-Disclosure and Privacy
Self-Disclosure
Privacy
Topic Avoidance and Secret Keeping
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 7 • Communicating Closeness: Affection, Immediacy, and Social Support
Closeness in Relationships
Affectionate Communication
Immediacy Behavior
Cognitive Valence Theory
Supportive Communication
Sex Differences in the Experience and Expression of Closeness
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 8 • Making a Love Connection: Styles of Love and Attachment
What Is Love?
Love Styles
Attachment Theory
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 9 • Communicating Sexually: The Closest Physical Encounter
Sexual Attitudes
Casual Sex
Sex in Relationships
Communication About Sex
Safe Sex
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 10 • Staying Close: Maintaining Relationships
Defining Relational Maintenance
Behaviors Used to Maintain Relationships
Maintenance Behavior in Romantic Relationships
Maintenance Behavior in Same-Sex Friendships
Maintenance Behavior in Cross-Sex Friendships
Maintenance Challenges in Other Relationships
Equity Theory
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 11 • Coping With Conflict: When Relational Partners Disagree
Conflict in Relationships
Conflict Styles
Patterns of Conflict Interaction
Attributions During Conflict
Communication Skill Deficits
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 12 • Influencing Each Other: Dominance and Power Plays in Relationships
Defining Power and Related Terms
Power Principles
Interpersonal Influence Goals
Verbal Power Ploys
Nonverbal Positions of Power
Traditional Versus Egalitarian Marriages
Culture, Equality, and Power
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 13 • Hurting the Ones We Love: Relational Transgressions
Hurt Feelings in Relationships
Deception
Infidelity
Jealousy
Unrequited Love
Obsessive Relational Intrusion
Relational Violence
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 14 • Healing the Hurt: Relationship Repair and Reconciliation
The Investment Model of Relationship-Maintaining Behavior
The Model of Accommodation
Remedial Strategies
Forgiveness
Relational Reconciliation
On-Again Off-Again Relationships
Relational Redefinition: Can We Still Be Friends?
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Chapter 15 • Ending Relationships: Disengagement and Termination
Why Relationships End
Communication as a Cause of Breakups
The Disengagement Process
The Many Ways to Leave Your Partner
The Bad and the Good of Relationship Endings
Summary and Application
Key Terms
Discussion Questions
Glossary
References
Author Index
Subject Index
About the Authors