Scripts and Communication for Relationships

The book is divided into 5 parts: 1) Emotions, Imagination, and Physiology of Relationships, 2) Bases of Relational Scripts, 3) Relational Escalation and Deescalation, 4) Relationship Scripts in Context, and 5) Cautions & Recommendations. The authors discuss the basis of relationship scripts, emotions, imagery, and physiology of relationships including romance, friendship, work associates, mentors, and Facebook friends. They argue that people’s expectations for relational development influence their communication, faith, and commitment in relationships. Misconstruing sexual or flirtatious intent, for example, is derived from having different scripts about attraction. They discuss abusive relationships including characteristics of abusers, stalking, verbal and physical aggression.

Designed for classes in psychology, communication, sociology, family studies, and social work, this text provides a comprehensive overview of how scripts and communication are used in relationships. Guidelines based on developing and improving verbal and nonverbal communication competence are provided. A downloadable teacher’s guide is available on request.

James M. Honeycutt (Ph.D., University of Illinois) is an LSU Distinguished Professor of Communication Studies and winner of numerous research awards including the LSU Rainmaker Research Award. He has shaped research in psychology and family studies. He is founder of the Matchbox Interaction Lab, internationally recognized for his work in relationship scripts and imagined interactions.

Pavica Sheldon (PhD, Louisiana State University) is assistant professor and a graduate program director in the Department of Communication Arts at the University of Alabama in Huntsville. In 2015 Sheldon won the Janice Hocker Rushing Early Career Research Award from Southern States Communication Association.