The Interpersonal Communication Book, 17th edition

For courses in Interpersonal Communication.

An introduction to interpersonal communication that emphasizes the impact of our choices

The Interpersonal Communication Book blends communication theory and research with practical interpersonal skills. Organizing his narrative around the concept of choice, author Joseph DeVito emphasizes how the choices we make influence our relationships and the effectiveness of our messages.

The 17th Edition includes thoroughly updated research and coverage of contemporary topics throughout. Fresh material discussing ethical and cultural issues emphasizes the relevance of interpersonal communication skills to students’ daily lives.

Hallmark features of this title

• Interpersonal Choice Points present brief scenarios about which students are prompted to make interpersonal communication choices.
• Viewpoints photo captions encourage students to explore significant communication issues from a more personal point of view.
• Politeness in interpersonal communication is stressed throughout as one of the major features of effective interaction.
• Social media is covered throughout the text to reflect the increasing importance of this form of communication in today's world.
• In a Nutshell summary tables for each major section help students review the content before moving on.
• End-of-chapter review tools include a summary of concepts, a summary of skills and definitions of key terms introduced in the chapter.

New and updated features of this title

• UPDATED: Ethics in Interpersonal Communication boxes present ethical issues and prompt students to consider how they would react to the presented scenarios. All boxes have been thoroughly revised for the 17th Edition, covering topics such as gossip, ethical listening, ghosting and more.
• UPDATED: Cultural maps emphasize the impact of cultural differences upon communication, reminding students to keep culture in mind as they think about the topics discussed. For the 17th Edition, the maps' legends and accompanying questions have been thoroughly refreshed.
• UPDATED: Skill-building exercises help students apply the various interpersonal communication skills discussed in each chapter. These exercises are now integrated throughout the text to enhance applied learning.
• UPDATED: Self-tests throughout the text provide opportunities for students to analyze their own interpersonal thoughts and behaviors. For the 17th Edition, these are presented within the narrative as an essential component of the learning path.
• UPDATED: The research findings and references throughout the text have been updated to the latest available.
• UPDATED: The author offers fresh coverage of relevant topics such as the nature of self-concept, parasocial and online relationships, workplace conflicts and more.