Relationship Dialetics
December 1, 2010
SPCH 1300, Section 8
Instructor:
Interpersonal Case Study
Love is not always about you feelings. Sometimes real love is about what you do no matter how you feel. Webster defines a relationship as, “an emotional or other connection between people.” My definition of a relationship is an agreement of sacrifice, trust, and friendship between two people. Relational Dialectics Theory explains the tensions in the personal relationship I have with my boyfriend, Claude Jackson. In this paper I will discuss the theory of Relational Dialectics, Case Analysis, Recommendations, and Reflection.
Theory
“Relational dialectics is the competing psychological tensions in a relationship,” (Verderber, Verderber, and Sellnow 2010, p.86). The theory of relational dialectics explains how different aspects of a relationship to attract opposites to complement one another. According to the theory, people involved in relationships experience internal, conflicting attractions causing relationships to be in a constant state of instability, known as dialectical tension. The pressures of these tensions occur in a wavelike fashion over time. Relational Dialectics introduces the concept that the closer individuals become to one another, the more conflict will arise to pull them apart. Relational dialectics theory includes four aspects of relationships which are: novelty vs. predictability, openness vs. closedness, autonomy vs. connection, and management techniques. “Novelty is defined as the originality, freshness, and uniqueness in your own or partner’s behavior or in the relationship,” (Verderber, Verderber, and Sellnow 2010, p.87). “Predictability is the consistency, reliability, and dependability,” (Verderber, Verderber, and Sellnow 2010, p.87). In my relationship with Claude, we both display these aspects- predictability more than novelty. Most of the time I get angered because he is so set in his ways which is routine living where I am more into new and
SPCH 1300, Section 8
Instructor:
Interpersonal Case Study
Love is not always about you feelings. Sometimes real love is about what you do no matter how you feel. Webster defines a relationship as, “an emotional or other connection between people.” My definition of a relationship is an agreement of sacrifice, trust, and friendship between two people. Relational Dialectics Theory explains the tensions in the personal relationship I have with my boyfriend, Claude Jackson. In this paper I will discuss the theory of Relational Dialectics, Case Analysis, Recommendations, and Reflection.
Theory
“Relational dialectics is the competing psychological tensions in a relationship,” (Verderber, Verderber, and Sellnow 2010, p.86). The theory of relational dialectics explains how different aspects of a relationship to attract opposites to complement one another. According to the theory, people involved in relationships experience internal, conflicting attractions causing relationships to be in a constant state of instability, known as dialectical tension. The pressures of these tensions occur in a wavelike fashion over time. Relational Dialectics introduces the concept that the closer individuals become to one another, the more conflict will arise to pull them apart. Relational dialectics theory includes four aspects of relationships which are: novelty vs. predictability, openness vs. closedness, autonomy vs. connection, and management techniques. “Novelty is defined as the originality, freshness, and uniqueness in your own or partner’s behavior or in the relationship,” (Verderber, Verderber, and Sellnow 2010, p.87). “Predictability is the consistency, reliability, and dependability,” (Verderber, Verderber, and Sellnow 2010, p.87). In my relationship with Claude, we both display these aspects- predictability more than novelty. Most of the time I get angered because he is so set in his ways which is routine living where I am more into new and
Cited: Verderber, Verderber, Sellnow. (2008- 2009). COMM. Verderber, Verderber, Sellnow. (2010). COMM. Wood, J. T. (2004). Communication Theories In Action An Introduction.