Understanding Interpersonal Relationships

Understanding Interpersonal Relationships

1. Interpersonal Relationships Defined

   • An interpersonal relationship is a perception shared by two people of an ongoing interdependent connection that results in the development of relational expectations and varies in interpersonal intimacy.

2. Genesis of Interpersonal Relationships: Attraction

   • Interpersonal attraction is the degree to which you want to (1) form or (2) maintain an interpersonal relationship

3. Stages of interpersonal relationship development

   • Escalation Stages
     • Preinteraction awareness
     • Acquaintance
     • Exploration
     • Intensification
     • Intimacy
   • De-escalation stages
     • Post-separation effects
     • Separation
     • Individualization
     • Deintensification
     • Turmoil or stagnation

4. Theories of interpersonal relationship development

   • Social Exchange Theory
     • Theory that claims people make relationship decisions by assessing and comparing the costs and rewards
   • Relational Dialectics Theory
     • Theory that views relational development as the management of tensions that are pulling us in two directions at the same time
   • Social Penetration Theory
     • Movement toward intimacy is connected to the breadth and depth of self-disclosure