Competence, Personality, and Self-Efficacy: Relationships in an Undergraduate Interpersonal Course

Abstract

Interpersonal communication competence is an evaluative impression of the quality of interaction (Spitzberg & Cupach, 1984). Such impressions derive from enacting skills associated with effectiveness and appropriateness in interactions. Andersen (1987) included communication competence in his discussion of communicative predispositions, which he defined as constructs that “explain and predict communication behavior and attitudes” (p. 50). Although developing students' skills is a goal for many professors in interpersonal communication, several stable traits or personality factors also appear to influence acquisition (Daly & Bippus, 1998; Greene, 2003). In addition, students' self-perceived efficacy in respect to developing competence might also relate to their ability to focus on certain skills. The purpose of this research project was to determine the relationships among interpersonal communication competence, personality traits, and self-efficacy for students who have nearly completed an interpersonal communication course.