An inquiry into the psychodynamics of reciprocity in communication

This thesis explores "reciprocity" as the distinctive feature of human communication. Herein are operational and ontological descriptions of reciprocity in the psychodynamics of the interpersonal, interexperiential communication system that is uniquely operative in human life. The main parts of this study are entitled: (1) The Reciprocal Event, (2) The Intentional Being, and (3) Communication.The operational definition of interhuman communication, about which this thesis revolves, is the five-dimensional Reciprocal Event. Sequentially, these five are as follows: (1) Natural integration of reciprocal endowment and relational uniqueness of persons, (2) Intentional Reciprocity, (3) Consummate Reciprocity, (4) Reciprocal Transformation, and (5) Natural expansion of reciprocal and relational endowments and potentialities. This ReciprocalEvent and its development are unique in the literature of this field. However, the import of this thesis is the crystallization of the research and communication inquiries from the concerned disciplines: psychology, sociology, biology, anthropology and philosophy. From George Herbert Mead and John Dewey to Ronald D. Laing and Carl Rogers, this thesis draws upon major insights since the 1940's--attempting to give them their most salient focus.Finally, this thesis establishes a clear foundation for communications research, therapy, and training.Thesis (M.A.