A contextual analysis of selected communication strategies associated with dyadic and situation characteristics : a field study

Abstract

A contextual analysis investigation of related communication acts is concerned with the multidimensional nature of human interdependence.The communication strategy is a category of relational communication acts that can be viewed as one of the ways in which interactants promote or maintain a working consensus and enhance interpersonal discovery.Strategy use is motivated by the nature of the relationship rather than by the speaker's conscious attempts to direct outcomes.A wide range of interconnected situational variables contributes significantly to frequency of strategy use in message exchanges.Interactants use strategies according to perceived situational appropriateness which entails a process contributing to overall communicator competence.