Table Of ContentThe handbook of
communication skills
The Handbook of Communication Skills is recognised as one of the core texts in the
field of communication. This thoroughly revised and updated third edition arrives at a
time of considerable growing interest in this area, with recent research showing the
importance of communication skills for success in many walks of life. The book’s
core principle, that interpersonal communication can be conceptualised as a form of
skilled activity, is examined in detail and a comprehensive transactional model of
skilled communication presented, which takes into account current conceptual and
research perspectives.
This book provides a comprehensive analysis of research, theory and practice
in the key skill areas of communication, such as non-verbal communication, persuasion,
leadership, assertiveness, self-disclosure, listening and negotiation. Each chapter is
written by a recognised authority in that particular specialism, among them world
leaders in their particular fields. In the 10 years since the last edition, a large volume
of research has been published and the text has been comprehensively updated
by reviewing this wealth of data. In addition, a new chapter on persuasion has
been added – one of the areas of most rapid growth in social psychology and
communication.
The Handbook of Communication Skills represents the most significant single
contribution to the literature in this domain. It will be of continued interest to
researchers and students in psychology and communication, as well as in a variety of
other contexts, from vocational courses in health, business and education, to many
others such as nurses and social workers whose day-to-day work is dependent on
effective interpersonal skills.
Owen Hargie is Professor of Communication at the University of Ulster, Adjunct
Professor at the Norwegian University of Science and Technology and Associate
Professor at the University of Chester. He is a Chartered Member, Registered Prac-
titioner, and Associate Fellow of the British Psychological Society, and a member of
the International Communication Association. His special areas of interest are in the
study of interpersonal, health, cross-community and organisational communication.
He has published 15 books and over 100 book chapters and journal articles.
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The handbook of
communication skills
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Third edition
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Edited by Owen Hargie
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D
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E
First edition published 1986 now known or hereafter invented,
by Croom Helm including photocopying and recording,
Reprinted 1989, 1991 (twice), 1993 by or in any information storage or
Routledge retrieval system, without permission
in writing from the publishers.
Second edition published 1997
by Routledge This publication has been produced
Reprinted 1997 and 2000 with paper manufactured to strict
environmental standards and with
Third edition published 2006 pulp derived from sustainable forests.
by Routledge
27 Church Road, Hove, East Sussex British Library Cataloguing in
BN3 2FA Publication Data
A catalogue record for this book is
Simultaneously published in the USA available from the British Library
and Canada
by Routledge Library of Congress Cataloging-in-
270 Madison Avenue, New York, Publication Data
NY 10016 Handbook of communication skills /
[edited by] Owen D.W. Hargie. – 3rd ed.
This edition published in the p. cm.
Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2006. Includes bibliographical references
and index.
“To purchase your own copy of this or any ISBN 0-415-35910-4 (hardcover) –
ofTaylor & Francis or Routledge’s ISBN 0-415-35911-2 (pbk.)
collection of thousands of eBooks 1. Interpersonal communication.
please go to www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk.” 2. Communication – Psychological
aspects. 3 Interviewing.
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor I. Hargie, Owen.
& Francis Group, an informa business BF637.C45H284 2006
302– dc22 2005028329
© 2006 Routledge
ISBN13: 978-0-415-35910-8 (hbk)
All rights reserved. No part of this ISBN13: 978-0-415-35911-5 (pbk)
book may be reprinted or reproduced
or utilised in any form or by any ISBN10: 0-415-35910-4 (hbk)
electronic, mechanical, or other means, ISBN10: 0-415-35911-2 (pbk)
In memory of my old friend, Sean Hill
C
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Contents
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List of contributors ix
n
Editorial introduction 1
Part I
Communication skill in theory and practice 5
t
1 Skill in theory: Communication as
skilled performance 7
Owen Hargie
s
2 Skill in practice: An operational model of
communicative performance 37
Owen Hargie
Part II
Core communication skills 71
3 Non-verbal behaviour as communication:
Approaches, issues and research 73
Randall A. Gordon, Daniel Druckman,
Richard M. Rozelle and James C. Baxter
4 Questioning 121
David Dickson and Owen Hargie
5 Reinforcement 147
Len Cairns
6 Reflecting 165
David Dickson
vii
CONTENTS
7 Explaining 195
George Brown
8 Self-disclosure: Strategic revelation of information
in personal and professional relationships 229
Charles H. Tardy and Kathryn Dindia
9 The process of listening 267
Robert N. Bostrom
10 Humour and laughter 293
Hugh Foot and May McCreaddie
11 Persuasion 323
Daniel J. O’Keefe
Part III
Specialised contexts 343
12 Asserting and confronting 345
Richard F. Rakos
13 Interacting in groups 383
Arjaan Wit
14 Negotiation and bargaining 403
Ian E. Morley
15 Relational communication 427
Megan K. Foley and Steve Duck
Part IV
Interviewing contexts 451
16 The employment interview 453
Rob Millar and Anne Tracey
17 The helping interview: Developmental
counselling and therapy 481
Sandra A. Rigazio-DiGilio and Allen E. Ivey
18 The appraisal interview reappraised 505
Dennis Tourish
19 The cognitive interview 531
Amina Memon
Part V
The training context 551
20 Training in communication skills: Research,
theory and practice 553
Owen Hargie
Name index 567
Subject index 581
viii
List of contributors
James C. Baxter is Professor Emeritus of Psychology at the University of Houston.
Robert N. Bostrom is Professor Emeritus in the Department of Communication at
the University of Kentucky, Lexington.
George Brown is Professor and Senior Tutor in the Centre for Medical Education,
University of Nottingham.
Len Cairns is Associate Professor and Associate Dean (Development) in the Faculty
of Education at Monash University, Victoria, Australia.
David Dickson is Senior Lecturer in the School of Communication, University of
Ulster, Jordanstown.
Kathryn Dindia is Professor in the Department of Communication at the University
of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.
Daniel Druckman is Vernon M. and Minnie I. Lynch Professor of Conflict
Resolution at George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia.
Steve Duck is Daniel and Amy Starch Distinguished Research Chair at the
University of Iowa.
Megan K. Foley is a Presidential Graduate Fellow in Communication Studies at the
University of Iowa.
Hugh Foot is Professor of Psychology at the University of Strathclyde, Glasgow.
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