Knapp's Relational Model Flashcards

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Questions and Answers

Growth and development in a relationship is _____.

inevitable

What does 'experimenting' refer to in a relationship context?

Asking questions to clarify initial perceptions.

What does 'avoiding' mean in relationship terms?

People do not want to spend time together.

What does 'intensifying' involve?

An increase in personal involvement. Signup and view all the answers

What is the initiating stage of relationship development?

First stage of relationship development. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'terminating' in the context of relationships?

End of the relationship. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'bonding' signify in a relationship?

Relationship becomes more formal, publicly recognized. Signup and view all the answers

What is 'circumscribing' in relationships?

Talk is reduced to everyday matters. Signup and view all the answers

What is the meaning of 'integrating'?

Stage in which 'in-language' usually emerges. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'differentiating' refer to in relationship stages?

People begin to pursue outside interests. Signup and view all the answers

What does 'stagnating' mean?

People go through the motions of being committed. Signup and view all the answers

In which relationship stage are Mick and Beth during their first date?

Experimenting Signup and view all the answers

In which relationship stage are Quentin and Spencer?

Integrating Signup and view all the answers

In which relationship stage are Rajiv and Jaya if they pursue outside interests?

Differentiating Signup and view all the answers

In which relationship stage is Elizabeth when she avoids Walter's messages?

Avoiding Signup and view all the answers

What characterizes the initial stage of a relationship?

People introduce themselves and look for commonalities. Signup and view all the answers

During which stage do people start to clarify perceptions of each other?

Experimenting Signup and view all the answers

What happens during the intensifying stage?

Personal involvement is increased. Signup and view all the answers

What occurs in the integrating stage?

People's lives become intertwined. Signup and view all the answers

What defines the bonding stage?

Partnership becomes more formal and recognized. Signup and view all the answers

What does circumscribing reflect in a relationship?

Limiting time and attention to the relationship. Signup and view all the answers

What is a hallmark of the stagnating stage?

Lack of interest and enthusiasm. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Key Terms in Knapp's Relational Model

Inevitable: Growth and development in a relationship is an unavoidable process as individuals become closer over time.
Experimenting: This stage involves asking questions and clarifying initial perceptions, allowing for personal exploration and connection.
Avoiding: Individuals in this stage do not wish to spend time together, leading to a conscious effort to distance themselves.
Intensifying: Personal involvement increases significantly during this stage, where commitment is expressed, and emotional ties develop deeply.
Initiating: The first stage of relationship development where individuals introduce themselves and seek common ground to determine the potential for further connection.
Terminating: Marks the end of a relationship, concluding the relational journey between individuals.
Bonding: Represents a formalization of the relationship, becoming publicly recognized, signifying a high level of commitment.
Circumscribing: Communication becomes limited to mundane topics, with significant discussions avoided, indicating a decline in relational depth.
Integrating: This stage is characterized by lives becoming intertwined, marked by shared language ('in-language') and mutual influence on beliefs and values.
Differentiating: Individuals begin to establish further independence, indicating a growing interest in outside pursuits while still maintaining the relationship.
Stagnating: Marked by a sense of indifference, where individuals may continue in their commitments but lack the passion and enthusiasm that once drove the relationship.

Relationship Stage Scenarios

Experimenting Scenario: Mick and Beth, on their first date, represent the experimenting stage as they aim to deepen their understanding of each other.
Integrating Scenario: Quentin and Spencer, sharing inside jokes related to their basketball team, demonstrate the integrating stage with intertwined social and emotional lives.
Differentiating Scenario: Rajiv and Jaya's differing interests mark the differentiating stage, as they pursue independent activities while in a relationship.
Avoiding Scenario: Elizabeth's annoyance at Walter’s persistent texting illustrates avoiding behavior, showcasing a desire to distance herself.

Detailed Stage Descriptions

Initiating: The initial connection stage relies on introductions and assessing mutual interests, where decisions about advancing the relationship are often made swiftly.
Experimenting: Conversations become more relaxed and exploratory, as partners seek to clarify their impressions of each other, building comfort and rapport.
Intensifying: This phase witnesses an increase in personal investment, where partners begin to feel emotionally connected and express commitments more openly.
Integrating: In this intertwined phase, relational partners start to blend their lives, influencing each other's perspectives and creating shared references.
Bonding: Formal recognition of the partnership occurs in this stage, often through significant commitments like marriage or formal agreements.
Differentiating: Here, partners start to focus on their individual identities and pursuits, reflecting a balancing act between togetherness and independence.
Circumscribing: Reduced communication and avoidance of deeper topics signify a problematic phase in the relationship, where partners limit their emotional exchanges.
Stagnating: Relationships reach a standstill in this stage, where partners follow routines without genuine enthusiasm or promise of growth.
Avoiding: Represents the ultimate distancing behavior as individuals choose to refrain from engaging in relational activities, highlighting dissatisfaction.

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Description

Test your knowledge of Knapp's Relational Model with these flashcards. Each card presents a key term and its definition related to the stages of relationship development. Perfect for students looking to solidify their understanding of communication theories.