1. Developing and Maintaining Relationships
Chapter 7 {
Developing and Maintaining Relationships

2. Chapter Outcomes Explain key aspects of interpersonal relationships
Describe how and why we form relationships
List the advantages and disadvantages of relationships
Describe the factors that influence self- disclosure
Outline the predictable stages of most relationships

3. Interpersonal Relationships
The interconnections and interdependence between two individuals

4. Interpersonal Relationships (cont.)
Interpersonal communication: the exchange of verbal and nonverbal messages between two people who have a relationship and are influenced by their partner’s

5. Relational Network
web of relationships that connect individuals to one another

6. Types of Interpersonal Relationships
Family: A small social group bound by ties of blood, civil contract, and a commitment to care for one another

7. Types of Interpersonal Relationships (cont.)
Friendship:
—Close and caring
relationship between
two people
— Perceived as mutually satisfying and beneficial
— Offers support, companionship

8. Types of Interpersonal Relationships (cont.)
Romantic Relationships:
—Include love, or deep affection
for and attachment to
another person
Love includes eros, ludus, storge, pragma, mania, agape
— Include intimacy, or closeness and understanding of a relational partner

9. Types of Interpersonal Relationships (cont.)
Online Relationships
—Social Information Processing Theory argues that virtual relationships are as close as face-to- face relationships.
— Hyperpersonal communication: online communication that is even more intimate than face-to-face
— Include friendships, romances, business relationships, group memberships

10. Why We Form Relationships
Functions of relationships
—Companionship (inclusion)‏
— Stimulation
— Goal achievement
Interpersonal attraction
—Proximity (nearness)‏
— Physical attraction
— Similarity

11. Managing Relationship Dynamics (cont.)
Reducing uncertainty
—Uncertainty reduction theory: People need information to become closer or separate.
Passive strategies include observing and monitoring.
Active strategies involve checking with a third party.
Interactive strategies involve asking the person for information.

12. Managing Relationship Dynamics (cont.)
Dialectical tensions: contradictory feelings that tug at every relationship
—Relational dialectics theory
Autonomy vs. Connection
Openness vs. Closedness
Predictability vs. Novelty

13. Costs Vs. Rewards Create a list
Think of a relationship you have right now. Examples below:
Friend
Boy/girlfriend
Parent
Teacher
Coach
Create a list
Costs -
Rewards +

14. Costs Vs. Rewards Circle 2 most important + and -
Write why they are most important
Write about how the relationship started
Write about the relationship at this point in time
Write down goals for this relationship

15. Managing Relationship Dynamics
Costs and rewards
—Social exchange theory balances advantages and disadvantages
— Rewards
Extrinsic (external advantages)‏
Instrumental (shared resources)‏
Intrinsic (personal satisfaction)‏
— Costs
Cause stress or annoyance

16. Self-Disclosure and Relationships
Social penetration theory (SPT):
—How relationships move from superficial levels to levels of intimacy

17. Self-Disclosure and Relationships (cont.)
Communication privacy
management theory
(CPM)‏:
—We own private information.
—We control that information.
—Boundary turbulence is a threat to privacy boundaries.

18. Self-Disclosure and Relationships (cont.)
Strategic topic avoidance:
—Maneuvering the conversation away from undesirable topics
because of potential
for embarrassment, vulnerability, or
relational decline

19. Stages of a Relationship

20. Stages of a Relationship (cont.)
Initiating stage:
—Make contact with
another person.
—Many relationships
don’t move beyond
this stage.

21. Stages of a Relationship (cont.)
Exploratory stage:
—Small talk to obtain superficial information
—Uncertainty reduction

22. Stages of a Relationship (cont.)
Intensification stage:
—Personal self-disclosure
—Share affection verbally
—Pet names

23. Stages of a Relationship (cont.)
Stable stage:
—Integrating or becoming one
—Bonding by sharing public
messages about the
relationship

24. Stages of a Relationship (cont.)
Declining stage:
—Uncertainty events
Interference
Unmet expectations
Relationship Repair:
Repair tactics

25. Stages of a Relationship (cont.)
Termination stage:
—Passing away
Relationship gradually
fades
—Sudden death
Unexpected termination
for one partner

26. Stages of a Relationship (cont.)
Reconciliation:
—Spontaneous development
—Third-party mediation
—High affect
—Tacit persistence
—Mutual interaction
—Avoidance