Interpersonal Process

Two people chat with one another in what seems like an easy, natural exchange. Careful scrutiny of their words, gestures, and appearance, however, reveals that their interaction is a complex, carefully choreographed dance of expectations, impressions, self-presentations, messages, and meta-messages. In this seminar, we will explore the psychological science behind such interpersonal processes, drawing heavily from the scholarly literature in psychology and sociology, and occasionally from popular works. We will maintain a skeptical eye throughout, asking questions such as: How convincing is the evidence? and Why does it not always square with our personal experience? (Students who have taken FYSE 1285 are not eligible to register)