Interpersonal Relationsip Stages, Theories & Communication

Interpersonal Relationsip Stages, Theories & Communication

1. Relationship Stages

   • (1) Contact
     • (2) Involvement
       • (3) Intimacy
         • (4) Deterioration
           • (5) Repair
             • Phases:
               • (1) Intrapersonal Repair
               • (2) Interpersonal Repair
             • (6) Dissolution
               • Interpersonal Separation
               • Social or public separation
           • Phases:
             • (a) Intrapersonal dissatisfaction
             • (b) Interpersonal dissatisfaction
         • Interpersonal Commitment Phase
         • Social Bonding Phase
       • Testing
       • Intensifying
     • Perceptual Contact
     • Interactional Contact
   • Movement among the Stages
     • Stage Movement
       • Exit
       • Vertical
       • Self-Reflexive
     • Turning Points
       • Leaps
       • Gradual
   • The Relationship License
     • Reciprocal
     • Non-Reciprocal

2. Relationship Theories

   • Attraction Theory
     • 5 Major Factors:
       • Similarity
         • Similarity
         • Complementary
       • Proximity
       • Reinforcement
       • Physical attractiveness & Personality
       • Socio-economic & educational status
     • Reciprocity of Liking
   • Relationship Rules Theory
     • Friendship Rules
     • Romantic Rules
       • 8 Major Rules
         • Recognize that each has a life beyond the r/s
         • Have & express similar attitudes & interests
         • Reinforce each others' self esteem
         • Be real
         • Be faithful
         • Spend substantial time
         • Obtain rewards commensurate with your investment
         • Inexplicable "magic"
     • Family Rules
       • Explicit
       • Unspoken
       • Concern 3 main issues:
         • What you can talk about
         • How you can talk about something
         • To whom you can talk
     • Workplace Rules
   • Relationship Dialectics Theory
     • Types:
       • Closedness & Openness
       • Autonomy & Connection
       • Novelty & Predictability
     • 3 main ways to deal with tensions:
       • Accept the imbalance
       • Exit the r/s
       • Rebalance your life
   • Social Penetration Theory
     • Breadth
     • Depth
     • Depenetration
   • Social Exchange Theory
     • Rewards
       • Money
       • Status
       • Love
       • Information
       • Good
       • Services
     • Cost
     • Profits
     • Comparison Level
     • Comparison Level for Alternatives
   • Equity Theory
   • Politeness Theory

3. Relationship Communication

   • Communicating in Developing Relatonships
     • Be nice
     • Communicate
     • Be open
     • Give assurances
     • Share joint activities
     • Be positive
     • Focus on improving yourself
     • Be empathic
   • Communicating in Deteriorating Relationships
     • Communication Patterns
       • Withdrawal
       • Decline in self-disclosure
       • Deception
       • Positive & Negative messages
     • Strategies of Disengagement
       • Positive tone to preserve the relationship
       • Negative identify management
       • Justification
       • De-escalation
   • Dealing with a breakup
     • Break the loneliness-depression cycle
       • Be active, do things
       • Seeking support vs seeking advice
     • Taking time out
     • Bolster your self-esteem
     • Remove/avoid uncomfortable relationship symbols
     • Become mindful of your own relationship patterns
   • Communication in Relationship Repair
     • Interpersonal Repair
       • (1) Recognise the Problem
       • (2) Engage in productive communication & conflict resolution
         • Look for relational msges that will help clarify motivations & needs
         • Exchange perspectives
         • Practice empathic & positive responses
         • Own your feelings & thoughts
         • Use active listening
         • Remember principle of irreversibility
         • Keep channels of communication open
       • (3) Pose possible solutions
       • (4) Affirm each other
         • Eg. Cherishing Behaviours
           • Should be: (1) Specific & Positive
           • (2) Focused on the present & future
           • (3) Capable of being performed daily
           • (4) Easily executed
       • (5) Integrate solutions into normal behaviour
       • (6) Risk
     • Intrapersonal Repair
       • Communication is circular