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RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Valenzano III, J. M., Broeckelman-Post, M. A., & Sahlstein Parcell, E. M. (2016).

Communication Pathways.  Southlake, TX: Fountainhead.
Functions of Relationships
• Create and maintain identity
• Fulfill the need to belong
• Allow for the creation of communities
• Provide rewards and costs
Attraction Theory
• Types of interpersonal attraction
– Social
– Physical
– Task
• Factors influencing attraction
– Appearance
– Similarity
– Complementary difference
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
• Types of uncertainty
– Cognitive
– behavioral
• Stages of uncertainty
– Entry
– Personal
– Exit
• Reducing uncertainty
– Passive, active, interactive
Social Penetration Theory
• Developing and maintaining relationships
involves also “getting to know” each other
• Breadth and depth determines stage
• Stages of mutual self-disclosure
– Orientation stage
– Exploratory affective exchange stage
– Affective exchange stage
– Stable exchange stage
– Depenetration stage
Stage Model of Relational Development

• Coming together
– Initiating
– Experimenting
– Intensifying
– Integrating
– Bonding
Stage Model of Relational Development

• Coming apart
– Differentiating
– Circumscribing
– Stagnation
– Avoiding
– Terminating
Dialogic Communication in
Relationships
• Balance how you express your feelings
• Give the benefit of the doubt
• Exercise empathy
• Invest time in your relationships