Why would a communication theorist be interested in studying and writing about general topics in interpersonal communication? A scientific answer to this question is that the study of interpersonal communication can focus on a variety of core communication competencies. Attracting, gaining compliance, informing, persuading and comforting, are a few of the core competencies that have been of interest to researchers in this area. A social policy answer to this question is that interpersonal communication research is of value to our larger society. Whether we are discussing winning an argument without damaging the relations in the group or accomplishing a smooth social interaction. This research has utility for the larger society. Drawing out the implications of the theory involves discussing what people do under various conditions to what effect. The following work is broadly concerned with new directions in the discipline as well as some comparative work on communication in different types of relationships.

Book Chapters:
Fitzpatrick, M. A. (2002). Better living through science: Reflections on the future of interpersonal communication. In M. Allen, R. Preiss, B. Gayle, & N. Burrell (Eds.) Interpersonal Communication: Advances through Meta-Analysis (pp. 407-422). Hillsdale, NJ: Erlbaum.

Bochner, A. and Fitzpatrick, M.A. (1980). Multivariate analysis of variance: Theory and application to communication research. In P. Monge and J. Cappella (Eds.) Multivariate Techniques in Communication Research (143-174). New York: Academic Press.

Fitzpatrick, M.A. (1980). Directions for interpersonal communication research in the eighties. In G. Friedrich (Ed.) Education in the Eighties: Speech in Communication (pp. 73-81). Washington, D.C.: National Education Association.

Peer Reviewed Articles:
Indvik, J. and Fitzpatrick, M.A. (1986). Perceptions of inclusion, affection and control in five relational types. Communication Quarterly, 34, 1-23.

Fitzpatrick, M.A. (1986). On alternative conceptions of relational communication. Communication Quarterly, 34, 19-23.

Bochner, A., Kaminski, E., and Fitzpatrick, M.A. (1977). Toward conceptualizing the domain of
interpersonal behavior. Human Communication Research, 3 (4), 291-304.

Fitzpatrick, M.A. and Bochner, A. (1977). Beyond ingratiation: Factors affecting the communication of
interpersonal evaluations. Communication Quarterly, 25, 11-19.

Minor Articles:
Fitzpatrick, M.A., & Witteman, H. (1990). Verbal interaction compliance-gaining coding scheme (VICS). In J. Touliatos, B.F. Perlmutter, & M.A. Straus (Eds.) Handbook of Family Measurement Techniques (pp. 472-473). Newbury Park, CA: Sage.

Book Reviews:
Fitzpatrick, M.A.(1996) Vocal Interaction. Journal of Language and Social Interaction, 15, 188-191.

Fitzpatrick, M.A.(1991) Bateson. Contemporary Psychology.

Fitzpatrick, M.A.(1988) Advances in interpersonal communication. Journal of Communication, 38 , 149-151.

Fitzpatrick, M.A.(1985) High technology culture. Science and Public Policy, 12, 47-49.

Fitzpatrick, M.A.(1984) Attribution theory. Journal of Communication.

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