II. Terms

In your essays for this course it is very important to use the terminology of communication science. Therefore, take time to learn the terms and their meanings in each chapter. In the face-to-face version of this course, various interactive techniques will be used to test your knowledge of the major terms. In the online version of the class you will review the terms independently. Make sure you use the terms referred to below in your essays.

Family Family communication patterns, FCP FCP, conformity-oriented FCP, consensual family FCP, conversation-oriented FCP, laissez-faire family FCP, pluralistic family FCP, protective family Family types, FT FT, blended FT, cohabitating FT, extended FT, gay or lesbian

FT, nuclear FT, single-parent Friends with benefits Friendship, agentic Types of friends according to Adams Friendship, communal Friendships Relationship maintenance, RM RM, granting assurances RM, openness RM, positivity Long-distance friendships

III. Names

It is very important to remember the names of scholars who contributed to communication theory. Your essays will sound more professional if you make reference to the people mentioned in this brochure. In the face-to-face version of this course, and in the audio lectures that accompany the online version of this course the names of these scholars will be routinely used to refer to various concepts. Study the names of communication scholars and try to remember their contribution to the science.

Adams, Paul Argyle, Michael Baxter, Leslie Fehr, BJ Fitzpatrick, Mary Anne

Montgomery, Barbara Rabby, Michael Rawlins, William Rubin, Gretchen Stone, Elizabeth

IV. Recap Questions

Use the recap questions to see if you remember the main concepts discussed in the chapter. In the face-to-face version of this course recap questions will be asked at various points as we make connection between different concepts. In the online version of this course use the recap questions to check if you remember all the concepts discussed in the chapter.

1. Give a definition of family.

2. What are the attributes of families?

3. What are types of families?

4. What are communication patterns in families?

5. What are the steps we must take to maintain family relationships?

6. How do we deal with family tensions?

7. Give a definition of friendship.

8. What are the main aspects and characteristics of friendship according to BJ Fehr?

9. What are the different types of friendship according to Stephen and according to the link provided by Michael?

10. What are characteristics and stereotypes of cross-gender friendships?

11. What are the main friendship maintenance strategies?

12. What advice does Michael Argyle offer for maintaining friendships?

13. How can we maintain long-distance friendships?

V. Self-Reflection Items

There are a total of eight self-reflection items (SRIs) in each chapter. For the online and face-to-face versions of the class alike, choose THREE items to discuss.

1. Communication Diary: Choose one of SRI to discuss privately with your teacher. Answer all the questions in the SRI. Refer to at least THREE concepts in the chapter in THREE good paragraphs, then summarize in the fourth paragraph. (20 points).

2. Communication Board Posting: Choose one of the SRIs to discuss openly with your fellow students. Follow the same rules as for CD1 but in the end ask ONE question of your fellow class-mates, a word of advice. (20 points).

3. Communication Board Comment: Write one good paragraph in response to the question posed by your classmate in pairs as assigned by the teacher (10 points).

1. What type of family did you grow up with? What makes you collectively a family— the fact that you are biologically related, live in the same household, or share a strong emotional bond? Now think about other people’s families. Are there groups that consider themselves families that you don’t? If so, why?

2. Does your family have rituals? Which rituals mean the most to you, and why? How does the regular practice of these rituals affect how you feel about your family?

3. Who has more influence in shaping your relationship decisions: your family or your friends? Whom do you look to for emotional support in times of need? Has the degree to which you depend on your family versus your friends changed over time? If so, why?

4. What are the most memorable family stories that were shared with you during your upbringing? What lessons did they teach you about your family and the values that you share? Did the stories function to bring you together as a family, or drive you apart

5. Do you have more communal or agentic friends? How do you communicate differently with the two types of friends? Which type of friend do you depend on more, day to day? Why

6. Have you had an FWB relationship? If so, what were the pros and cons? Did you and your friend establish rules for the relationship? If so, what were they? And to what degree did you both follow those rules?

7. Think of a good friend. Which conversational topics have you and your friend agreed will be off-limits because discussing them could threaten your bond? Has this avoidance of sensitive subjects helped you maintain the friendship, or has it created too much distance between you?

8. Consider the 10 universal rules that successful friends follow. Which of these rules do you abide by in your own friendships? Which do you neglect? How has neglecting some of these rules affected your friendships? What steps might you take to better follow rules you’ve previously neglected?