Part 1: Communication Skill in Theory and Practice
1. Skill in Theory: Communication as Skilled Performance
Owen Hargie
2. Skill in Practice: An Operational Model of Communicative Performance
Owen Hargie
3. Digitally Mediated Communication
Paula O’Kane and Virginia Cathro
Part II: Core Communication Skills
4. Nonverbal Behaviour as Communication: Unresolved Issues and New Findings
Randall A. Gordon and Daniel Druckman
5. Questioning
Karyn Stapleton
6. Reinforcement
Len Cairns
7. Explaining and Understanding
George Brown and Sarah Edmunds
8. Self-Disclosure
Joy Smithson
9. Listening
Graham D. Bodie
10. Humour and Laughter in Communication
Tabea Scheel and Massih Zekavat
11. Persuasion
Daniel J. O’Keefe
Part III: Applying Skills in Specific Contexts
12. Asserting and Confronting
Richard F. Rakos
13. Interacting in Task Groups
Arjaan Wit and Anouk van der Weiden
14. Negotiating
Ray Fells
15. Mentoring and Coaching
Bob Garvey
16. Relational Communication
Steve Duck and Pam L. Secklin
Part IV: Applying Skills in Specialised Interviewing Contexts
17. The Employment Interview
Rob Millar and Anne Tracey
18. The Cognitive Interview
Amina Memon and Julie Gawrylowicz
19. The Developmental Counselling and Therapy Interview
Carlos P. Zalaquett, Allen Ivey and Sandra A. Rigazio-DiGilio
20. Communication Skills in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (CBT) and Mindfulness-Based Interventions
Frank Wills
21. The Appraisal Interview Reappraised
Dennis Tourish
Part V: The Training Context
22. Training in Communication Skills: Research, Theory and Practice
Owen Hargie
Biography
Owen Hargie is a Professor Emeritus in the School of Communication and Media at Ulster University, Belfast, UK. He is an Associate Fellow and honorary life member of the British Psychological Society. He was conferred with the award of a Senior Distinguished Research Fellowship by Ulster University in recognition of his prolific research contributions over four decades.
"The Handbook of Communication Skills is a masterfully crafted resource that delves deeply into the essential art of communication. This book is an invaluable resource for anyone looking to refine their communication abilities, whether in personal interactions or professional settings. It offers a comprehensive, evidence-based approach, combining theory with practical applications that are easy to understand and implement. The breadth of topics covered, from verbal and non-verbal communication to listening skills and conflict resolution, makes this handbook a must-have for students, educators, and professionals alike. It is a definitive guide that stands out in its clarity, depth, and relevance. Highly recommended for anyone serious about mastering communication skills!"
- Dr. Mairead Boohan, Queens University, Belfast, UK.
"In an era where educators encounter growing challenges in teaching communication to students with diverse needs and varying skill levels, this new edition of a highly regarded textbook is a valuable addition to the resources available to lecturers across multiple disciplines. The diverse array of contributors and topics ensures that this resource is relevant to a broad spectrum of academics. While communication skills are integrated into a wide variety of courses, many lecturers have only received basic training themselves. This book serves as a solid foundation for these educators to enhance their teaching practices. In my own experience of teaching mental health courses and working with social work students, it offers the flexibility in topics and methodologies that enables me to connect with students in adaptable and responsive ways."
- Dr. Sharon Mallon, Staffordshire University, UK.
"The Handbook of Communication Skills is widely recognised as a standard text in the field of communication for academic scholars, management practitioners and professionals in areas such as business communication, education and the health sector. In this 5th edition of the book Professor Hargie has again collated an exceptional collection of chapters from world leading contributors recognised for their expertise in the theory, research and practice of interpersonal communication. The book is an excellent resource for those engaged with workplace training, mentoring, interviewing and counselling across a wide range of occupations and professional contexts. It will also be an essential text on the reading lists for a range of university courses in communication studies."
- Professor Ian Somerville, University of Leicester, UK.
