Skilled Interpersonal Communication: Research, Theory and Practice

by Owen Hargie

Previous editions ('Social Skills in Interpersonal Communication') have established this work as the standard textbook on communication. Directly relevant to a multiplicity of research areas and professions, this thoroughly revised and updated edition has been expanded to include the latest research as well as a new chapter on negotiating. Key examples and summaries have been augmented to help contextualise the theory of skilled interpersonal communication in terms of its practical applications. Combining both clarity and a deep understanding of the subject matter, the authors have succeeded in creating a new edition which will be essential to anyone studying or working in the field of interpersonal communication.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Communication

560 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2003

Reviews

[Tsneds · Rating 5 out of 5]

At first glance, this looks like a standard book on communications, perhaps for managers or the commercial market. The subtitle, however, indicates that maybe it is an academic book. In fact it is somewhere in between, or maybe both.

With 542 pages, including 64 pages of references, it is no lightweight.

The topics covered are solid set of fundamentals, with full chapters on each of:

Nonverbal communications
Rewarding and reinforcing
Questioning
Reflecting
Listening
Explaining
Self-disclosure
Set induction and closure
Assertiveness
Influence and persuasion
Negotiation
Groups and group interaction

What is really nice is the high level of strong content. Rather than motherhood-and-apple-pie that is often found in books on communications, this text is based on solid and well-referenced research.

The book is written in clear language with a straightforward layout. There are a number of tables, but no diagrams. Visuals would have been nice, but the solid text means these were not particularly missed.

The balance of a strong academic foundation and clear writing makes this book ideal for both students and practitioners who are seeking a strong general text on the subject of interpersonal communication.

In short: Solid meat from cover to cover.

[Victor · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book for a non-expert in the field like me, introducing the most important topics on interpersonal communications, with thousands of references if you want to deep in, but with enough details if you just want to skim over this topic

[Zeki]

k