Looking Out/Looking In Fourteenth Edition 8 Communication and Relational Dynamics CHAPTER TOPICS Why We Form Relationships Models of Relational Dynamics.

Looking Out/Looking InLooking Out/Looking InFourteenth EditionFourteenth Edition

88Communication andCommunication andRelational DynamicsRelational Dynamics

CHAPTER TOPICSCHAPTER TOPICS

• Why We Form Relationships• Models of Relational Dynamics• Characteristics of Relationships• Communicating about Relationships

22COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONAL DYNAMICSCOMMUNICATION AND RELATIONAL DYNAMICS

Why We Form RelationshipsWhy We Form Relationships

• Appearance• Is especially important in the early stages• Partners create “positive illusions,” viewing

another as more attractive over time

• Similarity• We like people who are similar to us• Similarity is more important to relational

happiness than communication ability



• Complementarily• Differences strengthen relationships when

they are complementary• Each partner’s characteristics satisfy the other’s

needs

• Reciprocal Attraction• We like people who like us – usually• People who approve of us, bolster our self-

esteem



• Competence• We like to be around talented people• If a person is too talented it can be difficult to

be around them because they make us look bad

• Disclosure• Revealing information about yourself can help

to build liking• Not all disclosure leads to liking



• Proximity• We are likely to develop relationships with

people we interact with frequently• Allows us to get more information about other

people and benefit from relationship

• Rewards• Social Exchange Theory

• Relationships that give us rewards greater than or equal to the costs of the relationship


Models of Relational DynamicsModels of Relational Dynamics

• A Developmental Perspective• Mark Knapp

• Rise and fall of relationships • Ten stages

• Other researchers• Coming together• Coming apart• Relational maintenance



• Stages of Relational Development

Figure 8.1 Page 276



• Knapp’s Ten Stages of the Relationship• Initiating

• Communication during this stage is usually brief• Usually follows a conventional formula

• Experimenting• After initial contact we decide if we wish to pursue

the relationship further• Uncertainty reduction

• The search for common ground



• Knapp’s Ten Stages of the Relationship• Intensifying

• The interpersonal relationship begins to develop• The expression of feeling becomes more common

• Integrating• Parties begin to take on identity as a social unit• Partners begin to take on each other’s

commitments



• Knapp’s Ten Stages of the Relationship• Bonding

• Parties make symbolic public gestures• Commitment is increased during this stage

• Differentiating• The “We” orientation shifts back to “I”• The stage is likely to occur when the relationship

experiences its first feelings of stress



• Knapp’s Ten Stages of the Relationship• Circumscribing

• Communication decreases in quantity and quality• Restrictions and restraints

• Stagnating• No growth occurs• The relationship is a hollow shell of its former self



• Knapp’s Ten Stages of the Relationship• Avoiding

• Parties begin to create physical distance between each other

• Indirectly• Directly

• Terminating• Includes summary dialogue• Relationships don’t always move toward

termination in a straight line



• A Dialectical Perspective• Dialectical tensions

• Conflicts that arise when two opposing or incompatible forces exist simultaneously

• Several dialectical forces that make successful communication challenging



• A Dialectical Perspective• Dialectical tensions

• Connection versus autonomy• Openness versus privacy• Predictability versus novelty


Models of Relational DynamicsModels of Relational Dynamics• A Dialectical Perspective

• Managing dialectical tensions• Denial• Disorientation• Alternation• Segmentation• Balance• Integration• Recalibration• Reaffirmation


Characteristics of RelationshipsCharacteristics of Relationships

• Relationships Are Constantly Changing• Rarely stable for long periods• A cycle in which partners move through a series of

stages

• Relationships are affected by culture• A variety of differences can make relationships

between people from different cultures challenging


Characteristics of RelationshipsCharacteristics of Relationships

• Relationships Are Affected by Culture• A variety of differences can make relationships

between people from different cultures challenging


Communicating about Communicating about RelationshipsRelationships

• Content and Relational Messages• Content Messages

• The subject being discussed

• Relational Messages• How the parties feel toward one another

• Types of Relational Messages• Affinity• Immediacy• Respect• Control


Communicating about Communicating about RelationshipsRelationships

• Metacommunication• Messages that people exchange, verbally or

nonverbally, about their relationship• Communication about communication• Important method for resolving conflicts in a

constructive manner• Can be used as a way to reinforce the

satisfying aspects of a relationship


Chapter ReviewChapter Review

• Why We Form Relationships

• Models of Relational Dynamics

• Characteristics of Relationships

• Communicating about Relationships

Looking Out/Looking In Fourteenth Edition 8 Communication and Relational Dynamics CHAPTER TOPICS Why We Form Relationships Models of Relational Dynamics.

Documents

relational happiness

relational maintenance

communication ability

communication decreases

liking slide

relationships appearance

relationships proximity

relationships competence