There are a number of different relationship theories, such as; Levinger's Relationship Stage Theory, Filter Theory, Stimulus-Value-Role Model and other Stage Theories like Erikson's Developmental Stage Theory, Devito's Relationship Stages, Kohlberg's Stage Theory and Fowler's Faith Stage Theory to name but a few.
Where as each individual theory portrays a number of different stages and processes of learning to know or develop a relationship with a person, they all show that relationships go through a series of stages as they mature.
For example, Levinger's Relationship Stage Theory shows that there are five steps, ABCDE, to relationships as follows;
A = Acquaintance/attraction. We meet other people and feel an initial attraction, often based on physical beauty and similarity.
B = Build-up. We become increasingly interdependent as we reveal more and more about our private selves. We get irritated by one another, but the more pleasant aspects may well keep the relationship going.
C = Continuation/consolidation. Longer-term commitments are made, such as marriage. The partnership enters what may be a life-long stable relationship.
D = Deterioration. Many relationships decay, due to several factors. These include relative effort, rewards, barriers to exit (such as marriage and social obligation) and the availability of alternatives.
E = Ending. The relationship ends when partners agree to separate or one leaves.
Whereas the Levinger’s theory has five steps the Stimulus-Value-Role Model has only three. It states that we select our friends and close partners through a three-stage model, filtering out those who do not fit at each stage. All elements may well be important throughout the relationship, but their relative importance changes.
1. Stimulus stage, we evaluate the other person in terms of physical attributes. A man, for example, may be struck by the beauty of a buxom, blonde woman. We are...
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