Knapp's Relational Development Model

This assignment will discuss two well known theories of effective communication. Firstly it will look at Michael Argyle (1972), the cycle of communication and then it will discuss Bruce Tuckman (1965) stages of communication.

It is often said that all good things come to an end. Relationships come and go, and some mean more than others. In fact, there was even a relationship model developed by a communication researcher by the name of Mark Knapp. In his model, he goes through what seems to be presented as a smooth step transition from each stage in which a relationship eventually evolves into. As I studied this up then down ladder model, I began to realize that I ought to build up some strong calf muscles, because my relationship sure has climbed up and down a few flights of stairs. Mark Knapp believes that relationships go through multiple stages, the uphill stages being initiation, experimenting, intensifying, integrating, bonding, then relational maintenance. On the flip side, Knapp believes the descending stages to be differentiating, circumscribing, avoiding, and eventually, termination.

Realizing, however, that the stages don't always progress in sequence and can overlap can help give one a general idea of how their relationship came together, fell apart, and then was reborn.

Every relationship goes through stages. There is relational escalation and relational de-escalation. Relational escalation is made up of five stages: pre-interaction awareness, initiation stage, exploration stage, intensification stage, and intimacy stage. Relational de-escalation is made up of six stages: turmoil stage, stagnation stage, de-intensification stage, individualization stage, separation stage, and post interaction stage.

Common problems that couples face are being too involved with each other the overinvolved couple. One spouse becomes overinvolved in outside activities the disengaged couple. The distance-pursuer couple where one spouse is more involved in work or hobbies and one spouse focuses on maintaining the relationship which cause a wall to be built between the two. And lastly the conflicted couple who have low intimacy and also negative interaction. Along with the determining the type of intimacy problem experienced by a couple counselors have to also take in consideration the importance of the intimacy problems as it relates to other problems of communication conflict and commitment. The extensiveness of needed change and the amount of time it would take for this change to happen, as well as does the intimacy need to be

In looking at components that construct a successful interpersonal relationship I believe another theory that relates to our relationship is the Relational Dialectics Theory. Relational Dialectics Theory is defined as relational life is characterized by ongoing tensions between contradictory impulses. Relational Dialectics Theory pictures relationships as a constant process and motion. I view this as being compromise in our marriage. There is no perfect relationship, each relationship will maintain and undergo struggles, it is how we chose to manage these struggles and move forward that ultimately decide the fate of our interpersonal relationships.

Chapters 7 and 8 in Extraordinary Relationships gave a good introduction into new concepts relating to Human Interactions and Relationships. These new concepts give a better idea in understanding two of the relationship patterns and the various emotions that come along with these patterns and how they have developed. The two concepts that were discussed throughout the chapters were the relationship patterns of conflict and distance. When it comes to the relationship pattern of conflict I feel that Gilberts sums it up perfectly by describing it as two people who are locked in a pattern of emotional ping-pong (Gilbert, 1992, pg.45). In conflict, the partners seem to always be against each other and are always blaming the other partner for the

In my parents relationship for a long time I feel they were in the declining stage. The reading defines this as the stage in which the relationship has stopped being productive and healthy for the involved parties and the

what the one of common thread is between couples that remain committed to each while

Interpersonal communication is heavily present in close-knit relationships. Throughout time, all communication in relationships changes whether it is for the positive, negative, or just different. Mark Knapp created a ten stage system to describe how communication in relationships change (255). The ten stages of Knapp’s system are: initiating, experimenting, intensifying, integrating, bonding, differentiating, circumscribing, stagnating, avoiding, and terminating (256). These ten stages can occur in any order, and not all of these stages are present in each relationship. Even though half of Knapp’s stages start to lead to the termination of a relationship, it is important to know that the termination of a relationship

Stage one is called trust versus mistrust and ranges in ages from 0 to 2. Erikson believed that this stage is centered around the following question; “ is the world safe and predictable or dangerous and chaotic?”.

Describe communication, evaluate the stages of the communication process and assess the key aspects of each process.

Individuals who make the conscious decision to marry enter the union with the motivation to share their lives together based on a relationship founded in love and companionship, but also the practical aspects of survival, protection, and perhaps the expectation of children. When a couple experiences high levels of commitment towards one another, both partners feel safe and devote efforts to ensure the marriage will succeed; however, there are factors that may contribute to the dissolution of a marriage and lead to the possibility of divorce (McGoldrick, Carter, & Garcia-Preto, 2011). According to Carson & Casado, difficulties faced by couples can include: “infidelity, domestic violence, addictions, obsessive-compulsive behavior, personal

One of her aims in the study is to address the lack of what is meant by “relational” since there are not many studies concerning the similarities and differences between the variations about “the relational”. Another point that was stated which needs to be addressed was who of “the relations”, whys of it, and the basis of relational sensitivity.

Deterioration will eventually turn into an ending of a relationship something you wouldn't want in a relationship. They will either be passive or active when reacting to situations. They would just do nothing, let it slide or build up and there are couples that want it to work it out and resolve their differences. This is where couples start to try and repair their relationship. To keep a relationship going on this stage both parties should be on the same page not just one doing all the work. Issues will emerge it is best to attend to it than just putting it on the