Interpersonal Processes That Contribute to

Depression

John Vitkus, Ph.D.Cleveland Clinic Foundation

A Tale of Two Theories

The Interpersonal Circle Sex-Differences in Communication

Theory 1:Interpersonal Theory andThe Interpersonal Circle

1913, George Herbert Mead 1938, Harry Stack Sullivan 1957, Timothy Leary 1974, Lorna Benjamin 1983, Donald Kiesler 2002, G. Scott Acton and William Revelle

Dimension 1:Affiliation

Hostile Friendly

Dimension 2: Control

Dominant

Submissive

A Two-Dimensional Model

Submissive

Dominant

Hostile Friendly

Mapping Behaviors on the Model

criticize

love

apologize

reject

order

obey

request

assistattack

withdraw

disclose

advisescold

sulk

meddle

acquiesce

A Circumplex Arrangement

The Interpersonal Circumplex

FriendlyHostile

Dominant

Submissive

Typical Interaction Patterns

FriendlyHostile

Dominant

Submissive

Asking for help

Offering advice

Accusing the partner

Justifying oneself

The Principle of Complementarity Robert Carson, 1969

Any particular behavior tends to elicit a response that issimilar in its level of affiliation, butopposite in its level of control.

The Interpersonal Circle

Submissive

Dominant

Hostile Friendly

Theory 2:Sex-Differences in Communication

1990, Deborah Tannen: You Just Don’t Understand

1992, John Gray Men are from Mars, Women are from

Venus

For Women:

Primary motive for communication: To establish and maintain

relationships.

Primary method of communication “rapport talk”

For Men:

• Primary motive for communication:– To establish and maintain status.

• Primary method of communication– “report talk”

Examples of sex-differences

Asking for directions

The speed up signal

Parenting

Submissive

Dominant

Hostile Friendly

Hostile Friendly

Women conceptualize communication first along the dimension of Affiliation

Submissive

Dominant

Men conceptualize communication first along the dimension of Control

An example from her:

“You need to watch your cholesterol.”

FriendlyHostile

Dominant

Submissive

Loving advice

Friendly

Dominant

Submissive

Loving advice

Hostile

Grateful compliance

What she expects to hear:

“Thanks. I’ll watch what I eat. I appreciate your concern for my health.”

FriendlyHostile

Dominant

Submissive

Loving advice

A woman sees affiliation . . .

FriendlyHostile

Dominant

Submissive

Loving advice

But a man sees control . . .

What she sometimes hears:

“Quit nagging!”

FriendlyHostile

Dominant

Submissive

Frustrated criticism

FriendlyHostile

Dominant

Submissive

Frustrated criticism

A man sees control . . .

FriendlyHostile

Dominant

Submissive

Frustrated criticism

But a woman sees rejection . . .

Submissive

Dominant

Hostile Friendly

Male Preference for Interpersonal Communication

Submissive

Dominant

Hostile Friendly

Female Preference for Interpersonal Communication

Submissive

Dominant

Hostile Friendly

A Healthy Exchange Model of Interpersonal Communication

Submissive

Dominant

Hostile Friendly

An Insecure Male/Passive Female Pattern

Submissive

Dominant

Hostile Friendly

An Interpersonal/Sex-Differences Model of Depression