Intrapersonal communication and imagined interaction

Empirical research has revealed a variety of differences in the communication behavior of males and females. This study addresses whether males and females think differently about communication. Imagined interactions are cognitive representations of interactive behavior in which the actor experiences the self to be engaged in communication with another. Results of a study reveal that females have more frequent and pleasant imagined interactions, they imagine more self-words, and they are more likely to imagine and recall the scene of imagined interactions than males.

Research has revealed that individuals vay in their philosophy about marriage in terms of the amount of sharing and communication that is expected in the relationship. This study examined individual dzperences as a function of gender, marital status (engaged, married) and marital orientation (traditional, independent) on beliefs about talk based on afuncfionai approach and reports of various characteristics of imagined interactions (selftalk). A factor analysis was conducted on beliefs about thefunctions of talk with the relational partner and in social situations. There were 4 dimensions for talkfunctions: equality of power, talk about daily events, use of small talk to avoid discussion of conftict, and the enjoyment of serious discussion. Regression models were tested to predict relational satisfactionon the basis of talk functions and characteristics of internal dialogues that included thefrequency ofinternal dialogues, discrepancy, pleasantness, specificity, variety, compensation, and rehearsal. Results revealed differences as a consequence of gender, marital status, and orientation.

An initial program of research examining imagined interactions in everyday life is describe. Imagined interactions are a type of cognition in which individuals imagine themselves having dialogue with others. They reflect a type of imagery in which communicators experience various message strategies with others. A multidimensional instrument reflecting imagined interaction characteristics has resulted in eight dimensions of imagined interaction features. Imagined interactions may serve a variety of functions including rehearsal, increasing self-understanding, and catharsis in the form of tension relief from anxiety-producing situations. Therapeutic benefits also accrue from imagined interactions.

This study examines imagined interactions (IIs) among young adults in the United States, Thailand, and Japan. A comparison of means across cultures on II characteristics reveals that the Japanese participants have the widest variety of II partners, whereas the American participants are the most self-dominant in their IIs and demonstrate the most II frequency. As for II functions, Japanese and Thai participants keep conflict alive via their IIs more than the Americans, whereas the Thais utilize the II rehearsal and self-understanding functions the least. The Japanese participants use the II boldness function, which focuses on escaping from societal norms via one’s IIs, more than the Thais and Americans.

The notion of "imagined interaction" is introduced as part ofthe social cognition process. Imagined interactions serve several functions including rehearsal for anticipated encounters. Results ofa study indicate that imagined interactions tend to occur before real interactions, are dominated by the self, and are equally pleasant and unpleasant. Topics and partners are primarily relational. Imagined interactions may be dysfunctional for lonely individuals. Findings are related to theories of interpersonal communication and cognitive structuring, and implications for future studies are evaluated.

Journal of Behavioral Medicine, 2001

Gottman's (1990, 1991; Gottman and Levenson, 1988) psychophysiologic model of marital interaction was tested in 60 married couples. Participants were classified as avoiders or initiators of relationship problem discussions by trained coders observing videotaped semistructured interviews. Blood pressure (BP) and heart rate reactivity was assessed during the cold pressor test, during a mental math test, while watching a marital argument on video, and during a conjoint interview. As hypothesized, avoiders had significantly greater systolic BP reactivity during the interview. Additionally, husbands who interacted with avoider wives had significantly greater diastolic and systolic BP reactivity than did husbands of initiator wives. Initiator husbands, in particular, who were married to avoider wives had greater systolic BP reactivity. These results both support Gottman's psychophysiologic model and suggest modifications of it.

Intrapersonal communication satisfaction was regressed on a type of intrapersonal communication known as imagined interactions (IIs) in which people daydream about talking with others who are important in their lives. This study examined the functions of IIs impacting intrapersonal communication satisfaction and measures of cultural patterns in America, Japan, and Thailand. Additionally, cultural patterns were examined. Horizontal individualism is a cultural pattern in which the self is independent but is equal in status with others. Vertical individualism is a pattern characterized by an autonomous self but there are differences in authority, based on status, low equality, and high freedom. Horizontal collectivism is a pattern in which the self is seen as equal in status with others. Vertical collectivism is a pattern characterized by the self being connected with other group members and inequality is accepted. Results revealed that intrapersonal communication satisfaction was predicted by imagined interactions that serve a self-understanding, catharsis, and boldness function. Horizontal collectivism also predicted communication satisfaction for Thai participants. Results are discussed in terms of the importance and functions of conflict-linkage and rumination.

Southern Communication Journal, 2015

Using data from 485 college student participants, this study investigated relations among mental representations of conversations and listening behaviors. Results showed low usage of Imagined Interactions (IIs) for rehearsal and self-understanding and high usage of IIs as compensation for interaction were associated with lower reported scores on active-empathic responding. In describing IIs, low levels of proactivity and variety were associated with low reported levels of AEL processing and responding behaviors, suggesting individuals who do not engage in IIs before conversations or imagine a variety of potential conversations to gain understanding do not report engaging in behaviors that act to acknowledge their partners in conversation. The primary contribution of these findings is to forward an empirical integration of intrapersonal and listening research and theory.

Psychological Reports, 1966

This report presents a set of stimulus materials for use in research on interpersonal exchange and self-disclosure. The naterip.ls include 671 statements about various aspects of the self which have been scaled for "intimacy" by Judges from two different populations. The stimuli are grouped according to thirteen topical categories e.g., religion, family, money, and property, etc. The item pool was developed in connection with a research program we are conducting on social penetration processes which occur in the development and dissolution of interpersonal relationships (see Altman and Haythorn, 1965; Frankfurt, 1965) Taylor, 1965;for a summary of the theoretical position and representative research studies). A general hypothesis of the approach is that Interpersonal relationships develop systematically

Communication Quarterly, 1992

Imagined interactions, internal dialogues experienced as conversations with significant others, are conceptualized as a form of social cognition. Imagined interactions have important affective components and mental imagery. Results of an investigation demonstrate that verbal imagery is associated with self-dominance, rehearsal and understanding while visual imagery is associated with more pleasantness. Pleasant imagined interactions are lower in self-dominance and more similar to actual communication than unpleasant imagined interactions. The results are explained in terms of information processing and relational communication; two categories of imagined interaction reflecting verbal and mixed imagery are also proposed.