Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication

Spitzberg, Brian H.; Cupach, William R.

• Contents: Part I:Amusing & Bemusing.B.H. Spitzberg, W.R. Cupach, Disentangling the Dark Side of Interpersonal Communication. Part II: Schmoozing, Choosing, and Confusing.L. Knobloch, The Dark Side of Relational Uncertainty: Obstacle or Opportunity. T. Afifi, W. Afifi, J. Caughlin, The Dark Side (and Light Side) of Avoidance and Secrets. M. Whitty, Manipulation of Self in Cyberspace. Part III:Bruising.A.L. Vangelisti, Communicating Hurt. W.R. Cupach,“You’re Bugging Me!”: Complaints and Criticism From a Partner. R.M. Kowalski, Teasing and Bullying. Part IV:(Mis)Using, Accusing, and Excusing. M. Tafoya, B.H. Spitzberg, The Dark Side of Infidelity: Its Nature, Scope, and Communicative Functions. S. Metts, W.R. Cupach, Responses to Relational Transgressions: Hurt, Anger, and Sometimes Forgiveness. Part V:Abusing. S. Yoshimura, The Communication of Revenge: On the Viciousness, Virtues, and Vitality of Vengeful Behavior in Interpersonal Relationships. R. Dailey, C. Lee, B. Spitzberg, Communicative Aggression: Toward a More Interactional View of Psychological Abuse. W. Morgan, S.R. Wilson, Explaining Child Abuse as a Lack of Safe Ground. N. Eckstein, Adolescent-to-Parent Abuse: Exploring the Communicative Patterns Leading to Verbal, Physical, and Emotional Abuse.

"...the editors have accomplished their goal of raising the scholarly consciousness another notch about the less-studied, supposedly negative aspects of interpersonal communication. The individual chapters make interesting and informative reading and the collection as a whole is a useful addition to the interpersonal literature."—Journal of Language and Social Psychology"For the reader who is interested in learning more about the normalization of the less-than-fun side of communication, this volume presents a nice sampler on a variety of topics."—Public Relations Review"The chapters provide useful reviews of the issues, along with suggestions for new directions that will help guide future research. The book is a good addition to any relationship scholar's collection, especially for those scholars interested in the dark side of relationships. The book would be appropriate for graduate seminars in close relationships in a number of disciplines such as social psychology and communications."—Karen Wilson, PsycCRITIQUES