Literature Review
Social Penetration Theory Multiple studies and research have been done on the disengagement process of relationships and the steps that a couple takes to terminate their relationship. Altman and Taylor (1973) studied how the disengagement process in a relationship is primarily the relationship growth process in reverse and later coined this as The Social Penetration Theory. However, over the years, other researchers’ works have challenged this termination process and further questioned it. The studies that will be provided as evidence for our current study are ones that test the relationship dissolution and how it differs based on gender and approaches taken by both partners involved. In addition, whether friendship is possible after a couple has broken up and under what circumstances.
Assertiveness vs. Unassertiveness Baxter (1984) qualitatively studied the process by which personal relationships dissolved and the steps that occur as the partners slowly separate from each other. This experiment
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