Offering a theoretically coherent and integrated introduction, the book examines how communication (symbolic activity) occurs in a range of contexts from individual perception and thought to interpersonal and public situations. It provides solid theoretical grounding for understanding the centrality of communication, integrating research on gender throughout so that it is understood as a primary screen on communicative behavior. The first section provides theoretical grounding by applying the symbolic interactionist orientation to theory, language, situations, nonverbal behavior, and listening. In the text, symbolic interactionist theory explains how selfhood arises in communication with others and how individuals' communicative interactions create and sustain their interpersonal relationships. The final section applies a symbolic interactionist perspective to communication in group, public, and interview settings.

Also with Melanie K. Barnes, Sheryl Perlmutter Bowen, Heather R. Carlson, Marilyn Coleman, Lawrence H. Ganong, Jeffrey Haig, John H. Harvey, Renee F. Lyons, Darlene Meade, Paula Michal-Johnson, Suzanne M. Retzinger, James T. West, Jacqueline P. Wiseman, Katherine D. Wright & Paul H. Wright "Highly recommended." --Mark Waldman in Contemporary Psychology "Each chapter of Confronting Relationship Challenges has something new to say. . . . The chapters offer rich opportunities for researchers to expand their investigations and their conceptualizations. . . . This book will challenge the reader to enhanced understanding and increased commitment to appropriate intervening when others (and ourselves) are overwhelmed by the 'dark side' of relationships." --Judith L. Fischer in Journal of Marriage and the Family Addressing the difficult side of relationships, Confronting Relationship Challenges moves forward in the Understanding Relationship Processes Series by taking an honest look at what can go wrong with relationships and highlighting some of the challenges partners might face while struggling to comprehend their connectedness to one another. Edited by Steve Duck and Julia Wood, discussion in this volume moves away from any implication that relationships are only good and delightful. Even in the very closest of relationships, pain and suffering are inevitable and the contributing scholars examine the management and tolerance skills required of participants in order to construct meaningful interpretations of themselves, each other, and the relationship as all components evolve and interact in continually changing contexts. Relationship challenges examined in this book include conflict, enemies, the reconfiguring "family" after a divorce, codependency, interpersonal violence, HIV/AIDS, chronic illness, and managing grief over a partner's death. Students and scholars in interpersonal communication, social psychology, clinical/counseling psychology, family studies, psychology and sociology will find this volume to be a valuable resource.

The SAGE Handbook of Gender and Communication is a vital resource for those seeking to explore the complex interactions of gender and communication. Editors Bonnie J. Dow and Julia T. Wood, together with an illustrious group of contributors, review and evaluate the state of the gender and communication field through the discussion of existing theories and research, as well as through identification of important directions for future scholarship. The first of its kind, this Handbook examines the primary contexts in which gender and communication are shaped, reflected, and expressed: interpersonal, organizational, rhetoric, media, and intercultural/global. Key Features: Brings together the expertise of leading scholars: Esteemed scholars edit each section and leading researchers in the field author each chapter. The distillation of scholarship in each area by seasoned scholars clarifies what is and is not known in that area of research. Offers historical and theoretical perspectives: Authors discuss the development of gender and communication research during the past three decades and examine the theories, questions, and issues about gender and communication that are ascending to define the next stage of work in the area. Provides comprehensive reference lists: Each section summarizes existing theory and research related to an area of gender and communication scholarship and guides readers to the central works in the field, as well as directs future scholarship toward the most urgent, important, and promising topics, methodologies, and/or perspectives.

Editors Dawn O. Braithwaite and Julia T. Wood put the proven concept of active learning to work for interpersonal communication students.Now available in a convenient and affordable ($30) electronic format, the NEW second edition of Casing Interpersonal Communication expands on traditional interpersonal communication textbooks by immersing students in real life situations. Easily adaptable to any existing interpersonal communication textbook, Casing Interpersonal Communication: Is available in an affordable ($30) electronic format that is easily accessible on a multitude of devices (desktop, online, or mobile). Readers can create study notes, collaborate with teachers and classmates, and search the text or notes to increase study time efficiency! Includes thirty easy to read case studies written by experts that encourage students to use abstract and conceptual knowledge drawn from theory and research to analyze and address concrete circumstances that will help them to then apply this knowledge to their own lives and relationships. Features cases written from the viewpoint of different people, teaching students to appreciate multiple perspectives on communication and the situations in which it occurs. Helps students expand their personal repertoire of communication choices so they can adapt effectively to diverse contexts, individuals, and relationships. Features an introductory Chapter on how to use case studies in the classroom. Allows instructors to customize the book by purchasing single cases for $5 per case or 30 cases for $30.

Casing Interpersonal Communication

Offering a theoretically coherent and integrated introduction, the book examines how communication (symbolic activity) occurs in a range of contexts from individual perception and thought to interpersonal and public situations. It provides solid theoretical grounding for understanding the centrality of communication, integrating research on gender throughout so that it is understood as a primary screen on communicative behavior. The first section provides theoretical grounding by applying the symbolic interactionist orientation to theory, language, situations, nonverbal behavior, and listening. In the text, symbolic interactionist theory explains how selfhood arises in communication with others and how individuals' communicative interactions create and sustain their interpersonal relationships. The final section applies a symbolic interactionist perspective to communication in group, public, and interview settings.

Long-distance relationships, nonmarital cohabitation, and personal relationships over computer networks--all are examples of relationships that are growing in number but that, to date, have not been adequately researched. In Under-Studied Relationships, a talented team of contributors rectifies existing scholarship's tendency to ignore the diverse and emergent forms of relationships that are increasingly evident in modern society. Contributors to this impressive volume examine such largely overlooked issues as long-lasting marriages, cultural minority relationships, gay/lesbian relationships, friendships at work, nonmarital cohabitation, long-distance relationships, and personal relationships over computer networks. With the dawning of commuter marriages, electronically mediated friendships, and "microwave relationships," this volume cultivates an appreciation of the pluralistic characteristics of relationship life and encourages the expansion of research efforts in this field. Under-Studied Relationships serves as an ideal resource for scholars and students in social psychology, family studies, gender studies, interpersonal communication, clinical and counseling psychology, and sociology.

Also with Melanie K. Barnes, Sheryl Perlmutter Bowen, Heather R. Carlson, Marilyn Coleman, Lawrence H. Ganong, Jeffrey Haig, John H. Harvey, Renee F. Lyons, Darlene Meade, Paula Michal-Johnson, Suzanne M. Retzinger, James T. West, Jacqueline P. Wiseman, Katherine D. Wright & Paul H. Wright "Highly recommended." --Mark Waldman in Contemporary Psychology "Each chapter of Confronting Relationship Challenges has something new to say. . . . The chapters offer rich opportunities for researchers to expand their investigations and their conceptualizations. . . . This book will challenge the reader to enhanced understanding and increased commitment to appropriate intervening when others (and ourselves) are overwhelmed by the 'dark side' of relationships." --Judith L. Fischer in Journal of Marriage and the Family Addressing the difficult side of relationships, Confronting Relationship Challenges moves forward in the Understanding Relationship Processes Series by taking an honest look at what can go wrong with relationships and highlighting some of the challenges partners might face while struggling to comprehend their connectedness to one another. Edited by Steve Duck and Julia Wood, discussion in this volume moves away from any implication that relationships are only good and delightful. Even in the very closest of relationships, pain and suffering are inevitable and the contributing scholars examine the management and tolerance skills required of participants in order to construct meaningful interpretations of themselves, each other, and the relationship as all components evolve and interact in continually changing contexts. Relationship challenges examined in this book include conflict, enemies, the reconfiguring "family" after a divorce, codependency, interpersonal violence, HIV/AIDS, chronic illness, and managing grief over a partner's death. Students and scholars in interpersonal communication, social psychology, clinical/counseling psychology, family studies, psychology and sociology will find this volume to be a valuable resource.