Identic Tensions: The Relational Dialectic Theory

Dialectical tensions are important to practice and understand in order to maintain healthy relationships. There are three that are the most useful in my everyday life. They are autonomy verses connection, novelty verses predictability, and openness verses protection. I also use the three strategies of cyclic alternation, segmentation, and disqualifying to ease the dialectical tensions in life. I think it is important to know how to understand and work through these dialectical tensions in order to maintain healthy relationships.

Self-disclosure is an important part of any close relationship. Without sharing our own fears and weaknesses, we can

Initially required is an analysis to the results of the, “Conflict Style Questionnaire” (Rahim and Wagner 122-132). According to the conflict style survey, base two separate situations from past occurrences; one with someone close to me, and the second with someone who I am not so interpersonal with. Moreover, the two personal conflicts that I apply to the questionnaire, base from two diverse relationships-personal as well as an impersonal, along with various context and environment pertaining to the particular

    In their book, Boundaries in Marriage, the authors, Cloud and Townsend, present a theoretical model for maintaining healthy relationships, specifically marriage relationships. This examination of Cloud and Townsend’s approach to maintaining healthy relationships summarizes both the theoretical and theological orientation of their proposed model, compares their approach to the model proposed by Sandra Wilson in her book, Hurt people hurt people, and considers the model in the context of Dr. Hawkins concentric circle theory of personality, and parents a critique with regard to some’ of the perceived strengths and

She is NOT going out on dates with you so that you can discuss heavy subjects and bring her down. Keep it light. Keep it funny. If you do those 2 things, you have a much better shot at love.

In Relationships that we deal with everyday there are dialectical tensions and issues that arise. These tensions can greatly effect a relationship whether it be with a romantic partner, friend or family. In this paper, I will define, discuss and give examples of three dialectical Tensions; describe how they have impacted relationships in my life and how I’ve managed these tensions with management strategies. The three Tension I will discuss are ‘autonomy vs. connectedness’, ‘novelty vs. predictability’, and ‘openness vs. closedness’. The four managing strategies for these dialectical tensions are: selection, separation, neutralization, and reframing. The personal relationship in which I will use personal examples in this paper will be my best friend and I and the tensions that we

In chapter 4 of The Sociologically Examined Life, Michael Schwalbe discusses “Relationships, Groups, and Interdependence.” This chapter covers several topics in-depth of relationships and why we categorize things the way we do.

In the short story “The Chrysanthemums” the author creates a dilemma in identity by displaying different personal conflicts involving the main character. The main character, Elisa Allen, seems to be discontent with her place in life. However, she seems to be aware that she is doing what is expected of her and is almost afraid to change her way of life. More than Likely, this is due to the influence her husband has over her. There are three main characters in this story, Elisa, Henry and a lone traveler that rides up to Elisa asking for directions. Elisa seems to be more interested in the wandering man she encounters than her husband. The traveling man seems to find Elisa more interesting and attractive than her husband. The traveler sees the

The Complexity of Human Relationships Human relationships are complex and diverse and are generally major aspects of the life of a person. They can have resounding positive as well as negative impacts on a person’s life that are felt no matter where the two people in the relationship are. They also tend to fluctuate, as they have their brighter moments along with their not so favorable moments. Finally, a relationship is expected to be reciprocal, and generally the actions of one party in a relationship will dictate the reactions of the opposing party to such treatment. Furthermore, in a hierarchical relationship such as the relationship between parents and children, the inability for group in lower order within the relationship,

A variety of relationships and other forms of human interaction As we know, relationships are an important feature in our lives. It can be an advantage or disadvantage depending on the type of the relationship the person is involved in. Many of the authors, such as Updike “Separating”, Brooks, “The Mother” and O, Connor, "The Life You Save May Be Your Own” all revealed some type of relationship that affected their daily lives. In “Separating” we saw how a marriage and a divorce affected a family relationship.

The core concept that stands out of relational dialectics theory is contradiction (Griffin, 2009). A contradiction happens whenever you have two interdependent forces that mutually work against each other (Griffin). This is continually happening in relationships because they are in a constant state of flux. Relationships are constantly changing and there is no complete certainty. Baxter and Montgomery give the example of contradiction as a game of tug-of-war created through interpersonal conversations. Moreover, these theorists believe that contradictions are inevitable and can be used to constructively enhance the quality of relationships (Griffin).

Mark Knapp developed a theoretical model to which identifies the stages of interpersonal relationships which explains how relationships begin and grow, as well as how they deteriorate and end. This model defines ten separate stages of relational development under three different interrelating categories; Coming Together, Relational Maintenance, and Coming Apart. An analysis of a personal relationship through the use of Knapp’s stages of relational development leads to a better understanding of that relationship and our role within it. In this essay I will be analyzing a personal relationship of my own using Knapp’s stages as a guide. However, these stages are subjective to each individual’s unique situation. Therefore, I will only be examining my relationship in the “coming together” stages. Furthermore, it is possible to pass over or amalgamate stages, as these stages are closer to a guide rather than set rules. For this analysis I will be breaking the “coming together” stages into initiating, experimentation and intensifying, integration, and bonding.

Adversarial relationships are relationships where individuals oppose or attack each other; some adversarial relationships come out of fear, others come out of a desire to exert authority, and some from the individual level of stress. Adversarial relationships can be from long term struggle to exert control and authority over our perceived tuff as in the case of the Physician – nurse and may also be between peers relationships and allegiances as between day shift and night shift nurses. Adversarial relationship can become better

Sharing – To have a share or part. I call this part true confessions; there are two parts to sharing, sharing with your family, friends or associated and sharing with your lover, mate, or partner, again when sharing with your partner you are build bridges, bridges of love, bridges of trust, and bridges of understanding, the combination of bridge building creates true confessions. There are no secrets between you and your mate. Everything is discussed, everything is open and nothing is off limits. What you share between your family, friends or associated are things that you can and often should share with your lover, mate or partner. However, things that are shared between you and your mate should not be fair game to be shared with your family, friends or associates. Unless your mate is

As social beings, relationships draw and fill us. Unfortunately, issues also arise. Some relational problems prove as benign as a miscommunication, others may involve full on attacks against you. While it is not possible to control another’s behavior, interacting with influence within these relationships may evoke change.