Questions and Answers
What is relational dialectics?
Who formed the theory of relational dialectics?
Baxter and Montgomery
What are three common dialectical tensions in most interpersonal relationships?
Integration and separation, expression and nonexpression, stability and change
What does Montgomery call relational dialectics?
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What is connection and autonomy in relational dialectics?
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What is the internal dialectic for certainty and novelty?
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What does internal dialectic of openness and privacy refer to?
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What are external dialectics?
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What is inclusion and seclusion metaphorically referred to in relational dialectics?
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What is the external dialect for the common tension of integration and separation?
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What is the common tension for romantic relationships?
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What is the common tension for a long-distance relationship?
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What is a common tension in friendships?
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What is the theoretical assumption that relationships are not linear?
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The desire for affection to be genuine versus the desire for affection to be motivated by benefits is known as ____.
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How do you manage dialectics?
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What is balance in the context of managing dialectics?
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What does recalibration refer to in managing dialectics?
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What theory reflects a phenomenological tradition?
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What claims does the theory of relational dialectics make?
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Study Notes
Relational Dialectics Overview
- Relational dialectics views interpersonal relationships as fluid, emphasizing the management of tensions between partners.
- Developed by scholars Leslie Baxter and Barbara Montgomery.
Key Dialectical Tensions
- Integration and Separation: Balancing desires for connection with the need for autonomy. For instance, an athlete may want team unity while showcasing individual skills.
- Expression and Nonexpression: The struggle between openness in sharing personal information and the desire for privacy.
- Stability and Change: The need for predictability in relationships versus a desire for novelty and spontaneity.
Internal vs. External Dialectics
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Internal Dialectics (within the couple):
- Connection vs. Autonomy.
- Certainty vs. Uncertainty.
- Openness vs. Privacy.
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External Dialectics (between couple and community):
- Inclusion vs. Seclusion: Building connections while maintaining personal boundaries.
- Conventionality vs. Uniqueness: Balancing societal norms and the cultivation of a unique relationship identity.
- Revelation vs. Concealment: Deciding what aspects of the relationship to share or keep private.
Common Tensions in Relationships
- Romantic relationships often face Openness vs. Privacy tensions.
- Long-distance relationships frequently experience Certainty vs. Uncertainty challenges.
- Friendships often involve struggles between Instrumentality vs. Affection, where genuine emotion may conflict with utilitarian motivations.
Managing Dialectics
- Techniques include:
- Denial: Ignoring one side of the dialectic.
- Disorientation: Feeling overwhelmed by conflicting tensions.
- Alternation: Switching between opposing pulls.
- Segmentation: Isolating aspects of the relationship for different discussions.
- Balance: Compromising and acknowledging the validity of both sides.
- Integration: Merging opposing forces creatively.
- Recalibration: Reframing perceptions to reduce conflict feelings.
Theory Foundations
- Centered on five dialectical strands:
- Dialogue as Constitutive: Communication shapes the relationship meaning.
- Dialogue as Utterance Chain: Relationships consist of ongoing interactions.
- Dialogue as Dialectical Flux: Relationships are inherently complex and dynamic.
- Dialogue as Aesthetic Moment: Introducing novelty for growth.
- Dialogue as Critical Sensibility: Analyzing power dynamics within communications.
Nature of the Theory
- This theory is more interpretive and places an emphasis on addressing aesthetic concerns, recognizing the inherent messiness of relationships and the normalcy of tensions.
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Description
Explore the concept of relational dialectics, which emphasizes the dynamic and ever-changing nature of interpersonal relationships. This quiz covers key terms, important theorists, and common dialectical tensions, providing a comprehensive overview of the theory by Baxter and Montgomery. Test your knowledge and deepen your understanding of these relational dynamics.