Relational Dialectics
Relational Dialectics Theory
Danielle Parker
Missouri State University
Dr. Isabelle Baumann
April 30th, 2012
Literature Review Imagine a world without communication. There would be a lack of spoken word, gestures; anything that the world uses to interconnect would be eliminated. All in all, our civilization as a whole would fall apart. Communication is one of the major roles in a functioning society. It can be broken up into several different subcategories, from verbal, non-verbal or emotion-driven. Communication sends signals to those around us and shows how language is such a prevalent part of one’s society. One thing that all forms of communication have in common is that it strikes a response or reaction. Different circumstances promote different forms of communication. In some forms of communication, tensions and contradictions can arise which makes those situations harder to handle. In relational dialectics, it discusses the contradictions in communication and other patterns that form positive and negative interactions within a relationship. Relational Dialectics is defined as a dynamic knot of contradictions which plays a huge part of the communication patterns in relationships. This theory tends to bend and mold itself to fit the situation that is currently being faced. When people communicate with one another, more than one opinion is voiced within the contact. Through different challenges, the relational dialectics theory identifies the problem, the contradictions it may challenge, and the solutions based on the situation at hand. Understanding and respecting those opinions will help to control the relational dialectics theory and all it entails. In any type of relationship, communication is crucial. If patterns are generally negative, one can assume that the relationship is not very healthy. These tensions that occur can be normal, but can increase to an abnormal state, and in relationships it is imperative that the understanding and emotional
Danielle Parker
Missouri State University
Dr. Isabelle Baumann
April 30th, 2012
Literature Review Imagine a world without communication. There would be a lack of spoken word, gestures; anything that the world uses to interconnect would be eliminated. All in all, our civilization as a whole would fall apart. Communication is one of the major roles in a functioning society. It can be broken up into several different subcategories, from verbal, non-verbal or emotion-driven. Communication sends signals to those around us and shows how language is such a prevalent part of one’s society. One thing that all forms of communication have in common is that it strikes a response or reaction. Different circumstances promote different forms of communication. In some forms of communication, tensions and contradictions can arise which makes those situations harder to handle. In relational dialectics, it discusses the contradictions in communication and other patterns that form positive and negative interactions within a relationship. Relational Dialectics is defined as a dynamic knot of contradictions which plays a huge part of the communication patterns in relationships. This theory tends to bend and mold itself to fit the situation that is currently being faced. When people communicate with one another, more than one opinion is voiced within the contact. Through different challenges, the relational dialectics theory identifies the problem, the contradictions it may challenge, and the solutions based on the situation at hand. Understanding and respecting those opinions will help to control the relational dialectics theory and all it entails. In any type of relationship, communication is crucial. If patterns are generally negative, one can assume that the relationship is not very healthy. These tensions that occur can be normal, but can increase to an abnormal state, and in relationships it is imperative that the understanding and emotional
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