Knapp's Relational Development Model

In context of relationships, the stages of Knapp’s Theory are associated with their respective indications of verbal and nonverbal messages. Obviously, the initiation stage would involve the first encounters between one another (Foundations of Relationships). In this stage, nonverbal interactions would be establishing perceptions of the other through factors like physical appearance, dress, and others (Knapp's Relational Development Model). In addition, verbal interactions would occur to “initiate” the relationship, for example, like greetings (Relational Development). Moving into the next stage, the experimentation stage, is significant because it shows that the initial impressions were favorable, as both parties have interest in the
After a threshold of intensification has been reached, in which a sense of interdependence is now established, the relationship transfers into the integrating stage, in which the two become “integrated” (Foundations of Relationships). Indications of this stage including being referred to as a single unit and undertaking activities together, like many romantic relationships, but there is still some perception of self (Foundations of Relationships). The zenith of relationships, the bonding stage, is never really obtained by many relationships, as the defining quality of such a relationships is a formal announcement of the bond, like a marriage or business commitment and initially this serves to strengthen the bond even further as both parties would likely try and maintain this status (Foundations of Relationships). After this peak, the strong bonds start to loosen a little in the differentiating stage as the individuals start to reassert their independence, especially shown through the use of first person (Relational Development) and the decrease in meetings in business relationships. The schism develops further in the circumscribing stage as both parties start to restrict the discussion of certain topics (Foundations of
One especially important factor is physical distance between individuals. Initiation hinges on the fact that both parties will see and meet each other, meaning that they would be need to in close vicinity with each other, like bumping into each other at school (Foundations of Relationships). Similarly, termination of a relationship can occur simply because of the fact that the two parties can’t see each other, like moving out after college (Foundations of Relationships). Another factor that affects a relationship is if the relationship is being rekindled and both parties already know each other, as the initial stages wouldn’t necessarily be lengthy (Foundations of