Interpersonal communication is defined as using messages between at least two people to generate shared meaning in a situation that allows for mutual speaking and listening. It includes interactions with strangers, acquaintances, and close friends and family. Interpersonal relationships involve at least two interdependent people who use consistent interaction patterns over an extended time. They are important because they fulfill our basic needs for inclusion, affection, and control according to William Schutz. Our needs can also be met in complementary relationships where each person supplies something the other lacks, or symmetrical relationships with highly similar participants.

1. Interpersonal Communication
Rashid Ali Khuhro
CRDC

2. What Is Interpersonal Communication?
• Interpersonal communication was defined as “the process of using messages to
generate meaning between at least two people in a situation that allows mutual
opportunities for both speaking and listening.”
• Interpersonal communication would include our interactions with strangers, with
salespeople, and with waiters, as well as with our close friends, our lovers, and
our family members.
• Interpersonal communication may also be viewed as communication that occurs
within interpersonal relationships (Miller & Steinberg, 1975).
• Interpersonal communication can be limited to those situations in which we have
knowledge of the personal characteristics, qualities, or behaviors of the other
person.
• None of our interpersonal relationships are quite like any of our other
interpersonal relationships.

3. What Are Interpersonal Relationships?
Interpersonal relationships may be defined as associations between at
least two people who are interdependent, who use some consistent
patterns of interaction, and who have interacted for an extended
period of time.
• Interpersonal relationships include two or more people.
• Interpersonal relationships involve people who are interdependent.
• Individuals in interpersonal relationships use some consistent
patterns of interaction.
• Individuals in interpersonal relationships generally have interacted for
some time.

4. The Importance of Interpersonal Relationships
According to William Schutz (1976), we have three basic interpersonal
needs that are satisfied through interaction with others:
1. The need for inclusion, or becoming involved with others
2. The need for affection, or holding fond or tender feelings toward
another person
3. The need for control, or having the ability to influence others, our
environment, and ourselves
• Our needs also may be fulfilled in Complementary relationships in
which each person supplies something the other person or persons
lack.
• Our needs also may be fulfilled in symmetrical relationships—those
in which the participants mirror each other or are highly similar.