Interpersonal Communication Ethics

Interpersonal communication ethics “differentiates itself from other forms of communication ethics by attentive concern for the relationship between persons. Interpersonal communication finds its identity in the ethical mandate to protect and promote the good of the relationship. When the interaction no longer nourishes the relationship, interpersonal communication moves into another form of communicative interaction” (Arnett, Fritz & Bell, 2009, pg. 119). Essentially, the understanding of interpersonal communication joins the identity of the conversation to the positioning of the conversation, further contributing to the good of the relationship. Interpersonal communication protects and promotes the good of relationship shifting to an explicit feature of interpersonal communication. Though, protecting and promoting the good of relationship does not presume mutual interpersonal agreement, and does not garner the approval of one’s communicative partner. Interpersonal responsibility starts with each person’s commitment to actively care for the relationship that is nurtured with or without the approval of the other individual.

Throughout the chapter the authors provide examples of the consistency of demand that takes the relationship into one’s own hands, moving from interpersonal communication that requires co-compromising conversations to a unilateral “my” image of what I think it should be. No one skill is the answer to all problems. Communication ethics in interpersonal relationships is not “who is the best at communicating effectively” or “who has the best interpersonal skills”- it is the responsibility to the Other in the conversation. For example, “Wanda and her good friend Stacy are about to leave a party. Wanda notices that Stacy is too impaired by alcohol to drive safely. Wanda says to herself: “I know my responsibility to this relationship. I will not let my friend drive home in this condition” (Arnett, Fritz & Bell, 2009, pg. 131). In this moment, one doesn’t know whether the Other will approve or even be willing to continue the friendship. Such instances, the responsibility for the Other is named the “relationship,” and in interpersonal communication ethics, relationships matter. Interpersonal communication ethics first begins with a relationship in which both parties consider worthy of responsibility and keeps the differences between character and personality existing in interpersonal relationships.

For instance, similar to the example in the textbook relating to impairment of a friend, over the past weekend one of my coworkers celebrated her 40^th by combining her birthday and Halloween together. Work related parties are notorious for getting a little out of hand, and this past weekend was no exception. With that being said, I was the designated driver and it was my responsibility that a few of my coworkers and friends got home safely. Towards the end of the night when people were leaving, I noticed that my friend was too impaired to drive safely. As a close friend of mine I felt it was my responsibility to take care of her. Although, how do I tell her that it is unsafe to drive without her getting upset? What would be the best way to handle this situation? Will she accept my suggestion that I drive her home, or will she deny my offer and end our friendship? I later offer to drive her home and to my relief she obliges and I get her home safely. Further, this example illustrates, “interpersonal communication ethics rests not in our hopes or wishes, or those of another, but in something that we invite and never create alone, a relationship that calls us to responsibility” (Arnett, Fritz & Bell, 2009, pg. 131). In difficult situations it’s important to protect and promote the good of the relationship, but in some scenarios it does not presume interpersonal agreement or needs the approval of another.