Learning Objectives

  1. Identify the various areas of research that contribute to the broader body of literature on close relationships.
  2. Define and distinguish among role relationships, interpersonal relationships, and close relationships, as well as interpersonal and relational communication.
  3. Describe how researchers think about relationships in terms of categories and the characteristics that define them.
  4. Describe the six principles of interpersonal communication and know that ideas associated with each principle.
  5. Describe the five principles of relational communication.
  6. Identify and describe the seven fundamental themes of relational communication.