Skilled Interpersonal Communication: Research, Theory and Practice

by Owen Hargie

Established as the foremost textbook on communication, the seventh edition of Owen Hargie’s Skilled Interpersonal Communication is thoroughly revised and updated with the latest research findings, theoretical developments and applications. The contribution of skilled interpersonal communication to success in both personal and professional contexts is now widely recognised and extensively researched. People have a deep-seated and universal need to interact with others, and the greater their communicative ability the more satisfying and rewarding will be their lives. The main focus of this book is on the identification, analysis and evaluation of the core skills needed in these interactions. The first two chapters provide details of the nature of interpersonal communication and socially skilled performance, respectively, with a review of the main theoretical perspectives pertaining to each. The book then offers detailed accounts of the fourteen main skill areas: nonverbal communication, reinforcement, questioning, reflecting, listening, explaining, self-disclosure, set induction, closure, assertiveness, influencing, negotiating and interacting in and leading group discussions. The book concludes with a discussion on the ethical issues in interpersonal communication. This new edition also features an extended section on groupthink and analyses the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on aspects such as greeting patterns and the effectiveness of Project Fear by the UK government to secure citizen compliance. Written by one of the foremost international experts in the field, this is essential reading for students of interpersonal communication in general and to qualified personnel and trainees in many fields.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Communication

662 pages, Hardcover

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]

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