Theories of Communication in Ongoing Relationships Chapter Eleven Theories of Communication in Ongoing Relationships

Relational Systems Theory: The Palo Alto Group Bateson and his colleagues (WBJ) The Palo Alto group was concerned with understanding the general nature of communication Particular concern was given to the role of communication in psychiatric pathologies

Systems Theory: Shift in Focus Prevailing view was that mental illness was a disease of the individual, treated through individual-level treatment Palo Alto group moved to an emphasis on the system in which the individual was embedded Particular attention paid to relational communication in the family system

Systems Concepts Family systems are interdependent behavior of individuals depends on each other They develop and change through positive feedback (change in stability) & negative feedback (preserves status quo of system) They are characterized by equifinality – same final state can be achieved through multiple paths

Some Systems Terms Input/throughput/output Environment Goal Equifinality/Equipotentiality Homeostasis/dynamic equilibrium Rules: how things work—not how supposed to work Feedback Positive: Change the system: Deviation amplifying Negative: Inhibit change: Deviation inhibiting Schismogenesis (positive/negative)

Theoretical Influences on Relational Systems Theory Theory of logical types--systems are organized at various levels of abstraction (take out garbage: behavior or relational meaning) Rules orientation—highlights role of relational agreements that prescribe certain behavior Constitutive or regulative Implicit or explicit Shifts influence from individual to system

Pragmatics of Human Communication (1967) Axiom One: One Cannot not Communicate. Axiom Two: Communication has both relational and content functions in interaction Axiom Four: Humans communicate through both digital and analogic code systems

Pragmatics (continued) Axiom Three: In relational systems, we often punctuate interaction in different ways, leading to different meaning Axiom Five: Communication interactions can be either symmetrical (based on equality and mirroring) or complementary (based on differences—assertive & passive)

Pragmatics (continued) As a result of these complexities, relational communication can become dysfunctional (paradoxes and double binds) Relational system change must often be second-order change, often accomplished through reframing from outside of the system first-order change within system may not work

Relational Systems Theory: Developments Important contribution to understanding power and control in relational communication. Coding of complementary and symmetrical interaction (Edna Rogers) Interact: Two-turn sequence reveals power/control through one-up and one- down patterns though may be topic specific

3 turns = 2 interacts Interact example: Who’s in charge? One up One down Relational Dialectics: Philosophical Roots--Nothing on this (pp. 196-197)

Relational Dialectics A dialectic approach to relationships proposes that relationships are comprised of inherent contradictions A dialectic is not a “dualism” in which one aspect of a contradiction can or should be chosen In a dialectic approach, both poles of the contradiction can and do exist together

Dialectics: Central Concepts Contradiction: The coexistence and conflict of interpenetrated opposites Totality: Contradictions in a relationship are part of a unified whole and cannot be understood in isolation Process: Movement, activity, and change are fundamental properties of social life Praxis: The choices social actors make in the midst of dialectical tensions

Relational Dialectics: Types Romantic Relationships Connection-Autonomy Certainty-Uncertainty (predictability— novelty) Openness-Closedness Dialectics can be internal to relationship or external (relationship and network)

Baxter’s Typology of Dialectical Tensions Integration- Stability- Expression- Separation Change Privacy Connection- Autonomy Predictability-Novelty Openness- Closedness Internal Inclusion- Seclusion Revelation- Concealment Conventionality- Uniqueness External

Rawlins: Friendship Dialectics In addition to Baxter’s dialectics, Rawlins adds: Affection-Instrumentality Judgment-Acceptance Ideal –Real (Miller forgot this one)

Relational Dialectics: Praxis patterns (Table 11.1, p. 201) Denial Disorientation Spiraling Inversion Segmentation Balance Integration Recalibration Reaffirmation

Relational Dialectics: Areas of continuing research Dialectics in friendships: This work (e.g., Rawlins) has looked especially at adolescent friendship Dialectics in romantic relationships: This work has considered various stages of romantic relationships Family dialectics: This research has considered praxis patterns in families, especially blended families