ABSTRACT
This chapter examines how identity, culture, perception, self-disclosure and trust influence interpersonal communication and relationships. Conflict management is fairly complex: it requires considerable cognitive input and multiple strategies to successfully manage and resolve interpersonal conflicts. Cultural preferences can have considerable impact on whether one is expected to conform to such cultural norms. Perception refers to the identification, organization, interpretation and evaluation of sensory stimuli that humans are exposed to. Once information has been organized, it is often interpreted. Interpretation is based on past experiences, expectations, needs, values, beliefs, as well as physical and emotional states. Successful business relationships revolve around interpersonal relationships because it is people who conduct business. The communication accommodation theory (CAT) explains interpersonal relationship development. CAT proposes that the initial orientation of an interpersonal encounter is strongly affected by one's personal and social identity, which tends to let one view interactions in a particular way.
