*Interpersonal Competence; *Interpersonal Relationship; Social Behavior; Speech Communication

Interpersonal communication competence has been conceptualired as a function of impressions of competence formed in the context of a dyadic relationvAp, and also in terms of individual behaviors. The Measure of Relational Competence, along with individual self-reports for empathy, role taking,_and self-monitoring, were administered for 36 conversations among female college students. Results indicated that, in the context of initial acquaintance between women,_individual tendencies explain some stable effects in impressions of competence. Unique adjustments to the relatielaship seem limited to projection from one's own competence to the other ayd to accurate self-perception of competence in each dyad. Little relational adjustment between individuals occurs in dyads. In this context, actors ' impressions of_partners ' competence are predicted by the partners ' individual_characteristics, but also are affected by the actors ' self-perceptions as adjusted to each interaction. (Tables of supporting data are appended.) (SRT) * Reproductions supplied by EDRS are the best that can be made * * 1111 from the original document