Quantitative Versus Qualitative Interpersonal Communication

Quantitative interpersonal communication is described as any communication between two individuals, whether it is between two friends or simply two strangers that are only interacting for a matter of seconds. It is defined by the number of people in the interaction that is taking place. An example of this type of communication might be two people passing each other on the street and saying “Good morning” or “How do you do?”. They may be that brief, or they may be a continuing occurrence, say between a student and his or her teacher.

The two may spend an entire school year together and never speak again in their lives.

The other definition is called qualitative. This interaction also takes place between two people, but is defined by its six separate factors, rather than the number of people involved. Qualitative communications must be unique, irreplaceable, interdependent, involve disclosure of personal information or feelings, have intrinsic rewards, and be fairly scarce. These types of communications are said to happen only five times in a lifetime, although I think it would be more accurate to suggest that an individual has only five qualitative relationships at any given time.

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A person may have a qualitative relationship with a family member, best friend, significant other, or any person they enjoy spending time with and would like to continue to be involved with.

I personally believe that the qualitative, rather than the quantitative description better represents the definition of interpersonal. The word “inter” implies that the communication taking place is close to home, or has an effect within a person.

“Personal” says to me that the communicator has time, emotions, and interest tied into the communication that is taking place. If two people meet for the first time at a cash register, talk for a total of two minutes, and go on their way, they are likely never to see each other again. No matter how polite the interaction, neither of the communicators has been significantly affected; in fact, they are probably going to forget that the exchange even took place.

To me, there is nothing internal or personal about this. Qualitative interactions, on the other hand, usually have a lasting effect on both parties. When two people are dating, they develop unique rules and roles, their moods affect each other, and they share information with each other that they may not share with anyone else. They are both looking for and hopefully receiving a sense of fulfillment, and if they were to discontinue the relationship for any reason, it would be extremely rare to find one with the same qualities. The end of the relationship would be considered a loss, and to me, that makes it interpersonal.