Communication · Executive Insight Brief · 204
Frequent contact can serve different needs
Map reported reasons for communicating with a specified other without turning contextual motives into personality types or hidden intent
Premise
Communication does not arise from one universal need. People may talk for pleasure, to express affection, to gain inclusion, to escape another concern, to relax, or to exercise influence. Rebecca B. Rubin, Elizabeth M. Perse, and Carole A. Barbato created the Interpersonal Communication Motives Scale to measure those reported reasons in relation to a particular other or context.
For executives, the scale can separate motives that broad labels such as “engagement” conceal. Its value lies in the configuration, not in declaring one true motive or assigning a person a type. Several motives can operate simultaneously, and the target relationship is part of what the instrument measures.
What the model is: Interpersonal Communication Motives Scale in Knowledge →
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- FamilyTool
- CategoryMeasurement & Assessment Instruments
- DomainConversation & Relationships
What these mean
Editorial orientation · Family
Tool
In this series, Tool names the editorial family primarily used to act on, examine, measure or organize communication. It includes instruments, methods, practices, protocols, codes and institutional arrangements. Membership does not certify effectiveness, portability or safe use in every setting.
Editorial orientation · Category
Measurement & Assessment Instruments
Produces measures, scores, profiles or assessments through defined items, observations or measurement rules. The entry identifies what is measured and the conditions governing interpretation.