ABSTRACT
Burgoon and Hale conceptualized relational communication as the verbal and nonverbal themes present in people’s communication that define an interpersonal relationship. Based on a thorough analysis and synthesis of the literature, 12 relational communication dimensions were derived: Dominance-Submission, Intimacy, Affection-Hostility, Intensity of Involvement, Inclusion-Exclusion, Trust, Depth-Superficiality, Emotional Arousal, Composure, Similarity, Formality, and Task-Social Orientation. Burgoon and Hale reported several validity studies for the different Relational Communication Scale (RCS) versions. For example, in a series of criterion-related validity studies, they asked respondents to discuss a social or moral problem with a friend and a stranger. In each pair, one respondent secretly served as a confederate. The RCS has utility beyond dyadic contexts. For example, Burgoon, Pfau, Parrott, et al., interested in the communication between physicians and patients, reported that increases in receptivity, immediacy, composure, similarity, formality, and less dominance by the physician were responsible for greater patient satisfaction.
