Podcast
Questions and Answers
What does Relational Dialectics Theory picture relationships as?
What does Relational Dialectics Theory picture relationships as?
- A constant process in motion (correct)
- A linear development
- A one-sided experience
- A static situation
Who developed Relational Dialectics Theory?
Who developed Relational Dialectics Theory?
Leslie Baxter and Barbara Montgomery
Which of the following is NOT one of the assumptions of Relational Dialectics Theory?
Which of the following is NOT one of the assumptions of Relational Dialectics Theory?
- Communication is central to organized contradictions
- Relational life is characterized by change
- Relationships are not linear
- All relationships are identical (correct)
What is a Monologic Approach?
What is a Monologic Approach?
What does a Dualistic Approach refer to?
What does a Dualistic Approach refer to?
Define Dialectical Unity.
Define Dialectical Unity.
Contradiction is the central feature of the dialectic approach.
Contradiction is the central feature of the dialectic approach.
What is Motion in the context of relationships?
What is Motion in the context of relationships?
Match the following relational tensions with their definitions:
Match the following relational tensions with their definitions:
What does Integration refer to in coping with dialectical tensions?
What does Integration refer to in coping with dialectical tensions?
What is one of the substrategies of integration?
What is one of the substrategies of integration?
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Study Notes
Relational Dialectics Theory (RDT)
- RDT depicts relationships as dynamic, continuously evolving due to the interplay of conflicting desires.
- Communication within relationships seeks to balance contradictory needs but never fully resolves them.
- Context: Interpersonal; Tradition: Socio-cultural; Paradigm: Interpretive.
Key Theorists
- Leslie Baxter and Barbara Montgomery are the founders of RDT, drawing inspiration from Mikhail Bakhtin's theory of personal dialogue, which emphasizes the role of context in self-identity and communication.
Fundamental Assumptions
- Relationships are nonlinear and prone to change.
- Contradiction is intrinsic to relational existence.
- Effective communication is essential for negotiating relational contradictions.
Approaches to Contradiction
- Monologic Approach: Frames contradiction as either/or, limiting perspectives.
- Dualistic Approach: Considers contradiction as two separate entities.
- Dialectic Approach: Views contradiction as both/and, embracing complexity.
Core Concepts
- Dialectical Unity: Communication allows individuals to comprehend and manage contradictions within relationships.
- Totality: Recognizes the interdependent nature of people in relationships.
- Contradiction: Defines oppositional forces as the essence of the dialectic approach.
- Motion: Reflects the ever-changing character of relationships.
- Praxis: Highlights human agency in decision-making processes.
Major Relational Tensions
- Autonomy and Connection: Competing desires for independence versus closeness.
- Openness and Protection: Conflicting urges to reveal secrets while maintaining privacy.
- Novelty and Predictability: Balancing between the need for stability and the desire for change.
Types of Dialectics
- Interactional Dialectics: Tensions created through communication behaviors.
- Contextual Dialectics: Tensions influenced by the relational context within cultural norms.
- Public and Private Dialectic: Tension between personal relationships and public personas.
- Real and Ideal Dialectic: Tensions arising from discrepancies between idealized and actual relationships.
Coping Strategies for Dialectical Tensions
- Cyclic Alternation: Adjusting to tensions through changes over time.
- Segmentation: Managing tensions by altering responses based on context.
- Integration: Combining opposing forces, employing three sub-strategies:
- Neutralizing: Reaching compromise between conflicting desires.
- Disqualifying: Exempting certain issues from the overall dynamics.
- Reframing: Altering perceptions of contradictions to find harmony.
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