The Role of Instagram in

Romantic Relationship Development:

an Exploration of Knapp’s Relational Stage
Literature Review Model
Introduction
Methodology
Conclusion
Discussion
Findings

Aqila Sheila Zhafira / 009201600020

Supervised by: Dindin Dimyati, S.Sos., MM

 Why I brought
The Roleup ofthis issue? in Romantic
Instagram
Relationship Development:
1. HugeAn
usersExploration
in Indonesia of Knapp’s Relational
Literature Review Model
Methodology
Conclusion
Discussion
Findings

2. Instagram is Young Adults’

Current Most Favorite Social
Media
3.
Minim of In-Depth Analysis

4.
Renewing knowledge in modern
romantic relationship
 Research Questions:
The Role of Instagram in Romantic
• RQ1: How do the couples develop their romantic
Relationship Development:
relationship by using Instagram?
• RQ2: How An doExploration of Knapp’s
the couples reduce Relational
uncertainty at
Literature Review Model
the initiating stage of romantic relationship

Introduction
development by using Instagram?
Methodology
Conclusion
Discussion
Findings
 Knapp’s Relational Stage Model x Uncertainty
Reduction Theory The Role of Instagram in Romantic
Relationship Development:
Instagram
An Exploration of Knapp’s Relational

Literature Review
Model
Female Male

Introduction
Methodology
Conclusion

Uncertainty
Discussion

Initiating
Findings

Reduction Strategy
Phase of coming
Experimenting
together

Intensifying

Integration

Phase of relational Bonding

maintenance
Romantic Relationship
well developed and
maintained
 Research Method.The Role
Qualitative of Instagram
research in Romantic
Relationship
Paradigm. Interpretive paradigm. Development:
An Exploration of Knapp’s Relational

Literature Review
Research Approach.
Model Phenomenological

Introduction
Methodology
Conclusion

research approach.
Discussion
Findings

Object of Inquiry. 2
young adults romantic
couples

Data Collection Method.

Interview and Couples’ Social
Media Observation.

Coding Process. In Vivo Coding

Triangulation. Data & Theory Triangulation

 Knapp’s Relational Stage Model
The Role of Instagram in Romantic
Instagram Relationship Development:
Female AnMale
Exploration of Knapp’s Relational

Literature Review
Model

Introduction
Initiating

Methodology
Conclusion

Instagram has
Discussion

replaced face to

Findings
Experimenting
face interaction,
Mostcall,
phone
Potential people
andwere
partners
Intensifying audacious to
Facebook
became top in show
initial romantically
approach
research on their
Romantic
Integrating interested without
Instagram
relationship
Posting official
feelingsomeone’s
awkward
canespecially
onbepersonal
definedin aby
Bonding Instagram
private Post
Instagram wasand
way
Romantic Relationship Instagram
found Story.
exclusive
well developed and
maintained
 The Role of Instagram in Romantic
1. Knapp’s relational stage model is applicable
Relationship Development:
An Exploration of Knapp’s Relational

Literature Review
2. Instagram has replacedModel
Facebook as the 1st

Introduction
information seeking tool

Methodology
Conclusion

Discussion
Findings
3. Passive strategy are most used at the initiating
stage

4. Instagram as double-edged swords

 The Role of Instagram in Romantic
Relationship Development:
An Exploration of Knapp’s Relational

Literature Review
Model

Introduction
Methodology
Conclusion

Discussion
Findings
AZ uploaded several photos with her family on
Instagram
Romantic Couple 2 (AZ and AF) First
Interaction on Direct Message Instagram.
Romantic Couple11(DY
Romantic Couple (DY and
and
TheyEL)
hadEL).
andAt
never the inintegrating
Romantic
engaged Couple 2 stage,
face-to-face they
(AZ and AF)had shown
interact on
Romantic Couple 2 (AZ and AF).
Direct Message Instagram. Constantly
their closeness as more than just goodAt the bonding
interaction
sending stage,just
thetocouples
yet.funny memes by Couple 1 (right), while
friend. Their motivation show
have
that shown
they’re ‘in
having funromantic
replying to partner’s
together. relationship
InstagramStory
Instagram status’
story by Couple
(Left); 2by Instagram.
(left)
Instagram Post (Right)
 The Role of Instagram in Romantic
Relationship Development:
Instagram has An Exploration of Knapp’s Relational

Literature Review
altered the way
Model

Introduction
young adults develop

Methodology
Conclusion
their romantic Passive

Discussion
relationship , as they

Findings
proceed through the
strategies are
initiating – bonding most used
stage uncertainty
reduction strategies
at initiating stage
 The Role of Instagram in Romantic
Relationship Development:
An Exploration of Knapp’s Relational

Literature Review
One ‘like’ could
“Mungkin inilah be, Model
‘I randomly
rasanya, rasa liked
suka

Introduction
Methodology
Conclusion
your
pada stuff’. Moresejak
dirinya, than three likes are,
pertama, aku

Discussion
‘I’m intentionally
bertanya tryingapa,
Facebook-mu to get your
nomormu

Findings
attention.’
berapa” It’s the equivalent of eyeing
someone in a bar.
Coboy Junior – Kamu (2011)