Here are our objectives for chapter 7. First, we're going to identify the major types of relationships. Then we're going to explain how disclosure and feedback affect those types of relationships. Then we're going to describe how communication... functions at various stages within relationships.
And we're going to examine how technology and social media influence interpersonal relationships. So all of these, as you can see, surround interpersonal relationships, meaning those one-on-one relationships that we have with others. So here's a quick chapter intro. When we think about interpersonal communication, the first thing that we want to think about is the interactions between two people, and this has to do with us starting or initiating communication and building relationships, maintaining those relationships, and sometimes, if required, we have to end or redefine them, but we do all of this through communication. We're looking specifically at communication within interpersonal relationships.
So this is defined by the sense of expectations between two people. And this is usually developed over, you know, time or interactions with each other. So sometimes if, like, say you don't know someone very well.
That's part of that uncomfortable feeling is not knowing how to communicate with that person because you don't have a whole lot of interactions to base it off of. So you have to kind of build that and then become more comfortable. So a few things to note about interpersonal relationships are that these are formed as we communicate verbally and non-verbally through face-to-face and mediated channels, meaning that we develop these interpersonal relationships both in those face-to-face moments, but then also we can do it online. or in other mediated forms as well. And then this, the interpersonal relationships component of communication.
is a lot about what, you know, satisfies our need to feel connected to others. Like when you think about all the types of communication, this one specifically is going to really satisfy that need for people. All right. And so the last thing that I think is really important that we recognize is that healthy relationships are satisfying to all those involved, meaning, um, and healthy interpersonal relationship requires both people to feel satisfied in some way. in that relationship, not just intimacy, but also platonic relationships as well.
And here's a quote from the book that says, regardless of the level of intimacy, we want to be involved in healthy relationships that are satisfying to all those involved. How we communicate is central to achieving that goal. So if you remember. A few chapters back, we talked about healthy communication, healthy communication climate or positive.
Let me just say that positive communication climate and positive or negative communication climate. The climate of our relationships has to do with our communication. Is there a lot of tension or do we feel loved and supported by the other person?
So that's extremely important. And the level at which we feel like we have positive communication, healthy communication with the other person is going to help satisfy that. positive needs that we have as humans to connect with others.