The Influential Role of Relational Messages in Group Interaction

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Publication Details

Output type: Journal article

Author list: Keyton J, Beck SJ

Publisher: American Psychological Association

Publication year: 2009

Journal: Group Dynamics: Theory, Research, and Practice (1089-2699)

Volume number: 13

Issue number: 1

Start page: 14

End page: 30

Number of pages: 17

ISSN: 1089-2699

eISSN: 1930-7802

Languages: English-Great Britain (EN-GB)

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Open access status: closed

Abstract

Relational communication is often neglected in group interaction research; this study argues for a need to refocus our efforts on the relational dimension of group communication. Specifically, this article uses the Interaction Process Analysis (IPA) coding scheme to investigate implications of the relational communication model. Using sequences of talk in breast cancer support group interaction, the authors examine how task messages preceding and following relational messages in conjunction with the relational messages accomplish different relational (and task) goals. Results confirm earlier claims that relational influence stems from both task and relational messages. An examination of the overlapping nature of task and relational dimensions of communication, as well as the multidimensional nature of relational messages, is likewise explored.

Keywords

communication, group, interaction analysis, relational, socioemotional

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