Structuring the concept of relational communication

Since the distinction was first drawn between content and relational aspect s of communication, the notion of relational communication has evolved from a unitary focus on dominance to a multi-faceted concept that embraces as m ag as 12 subcomponents. With the aim of devising a theoretical structure to these many concepts, we advanced three proposals. First, we distinguished intensifier variables, such as involvement and substantive variables, such as dominance and affiliation. Second, we argued that relational judgments a re hierarchically organized such that dominance and affiliation subsume the more specific facets of relational communication identified in prior resea rch. Third, we suggested that dominance and affiliation constitute competin g frames for interpreting involvement cues during social interaction. A stu dy was conducted in which participants (N = 805) responded to the Burgoon a nd Hale (1987) Relational Message Scale. First-order factor analysis was la rgely successful in reconfirming the structure of the subscales. Second-ord er factor analysis revealed the anticipated two-factor structure interprete d as dominance and affiliation. Although involvement was positively correla ted with both dominance and affiliation, the magnitude of the association v aried as a function of the salient relational frame.