Summary Of Mark Knapp's Relationship Development Model

Moving from different stages in our relationships is something that we experience, however, we do not think about it. In this paper I am going to write about some of a model of interaction stage in my relationship with my husband. I will focus on the stages that I had experienced; such as initiating, experimenting, intensifying, integrating, bonding, differentiating, and avoiding stage. Some example from our relationships about each one of these stages will be provided.
Sometimes, we do not think about the different stages that it takes us to build a relationship. Analyzing the relationship process helps us understand the progress of the relationship. The Knapp’s Relationship Development Model provides ten different stages that built a relationship. In order to better comprehend Mark Knapp’s theory, Trenholm demonstrates this theory by emphasizing how the different stages function. A first stage is when a couple meet for the
As Trenholm explains, this stage is as a moment were partners “moves toward greater involvement. Self-disclosure increases, and the use of nicknames and terms of endearment becomes more common” (Trenholm, 2014, p.139). Furthermore, “self-disclosure occurs when we reveal information to others that they are unlikely to discover on their own: when we voluntarily open up to them” (Trenholm, 2014, p. 148). Trenholm also explains that it is not always appropriate in all relationship, because the self-disclosure needs to match the level of the relationship. This is the rational breath breadth, because they “progressively share more aspects of themselves and communicate about more topics” (Trenholm, 2014, p.142). In addition, at this stage, we felt we are close of each other emotionally and we tried to express that by holding hand and kissing. Moreover, we started to use We instead of I and You, and use nicknames. (