I'm currently in a interracial relationship and in order my relationship to go strong, communication is a critical part or so I learnt from Knapp's model of relational development. It is a basically a description of the progression and development in relationships.
There are 2 parts, part 1 consists of stages 1-5 which is positive end meaning the coming together in a relationship, part 2 consists of stages 6-10 which is the negative end meaning the coming apart.
Coming Together
Stage 1 - Initiating
screening and filtering
Stage 2 - Experimenting
small talk, basically getting to know each other's cultures and backgrounds
Stage 3 - Intensifying
more intimacy invovled
Stage 4 - Integrating
becoming relational and slowly integrating into each other's lives
Stage 5 - Bonding
marriage
Coming Apart
Stage 6 - Differentiating
starting to reaffirm oneself in the relationship, having no regard for integration
Stage 7 - Circumscribing
communication is under restriction, one have to watch one says
Stage 8 - Stagnation
lack of joy and excitement within the relationship, no more "spark"
Stage 9 - Avoiding
withdrawing physically and emotionally
Stage 10 - Terminating
After learning all the 5 stages, I re-evaluate my relationship, and I say we are at stage 4. Though there are the occasionally jumps to stage 6 or 7 but never to the point where we withdraw ourselves physically and emotionally from one another. It has been said that couples in an interracial relationship have to go through the a fair number of conflicts due to cultural and background differences, but all can be solved with communication, without it, neither party would be able to express their feelings for one another and there would be a obvious lack of intimacy at that point.
I LOVE EUPHORIA.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Ohh this is interesting.
ReplyDeleteUsing the knapp's model, how do you think interracial relationship maybe different from relationships within the same race?
anyway, the last statement is funny hahahaha
Hmm well, it's cool to evaluate relationship is such an organized manner. However, at times we realize that following strictly to such guides restricts us in the sense that it causes rigidity and impersonality. It is important to keep in mind that no matter how applicable such theories are to our lives, they are just there to remind us at times when we stray too far; if we were to follow strictly, we might even be adding too much pressure to our lives and may worsen our relationships.
ReplyDeleteNevertheless, I do agree that communication is a very important aspect in any kind of relationship. Thus, in order for our relationships to last, we have to figure out the best form of communication that can sustain it.
yes i indeed agree that communication is the most important in a relationship. especially a interracial one. with good foundation of the intitializing stage i am sure that the differentiation stages would not have to come. and constant intergrating would be the best way to keep a relationship alive.
ReplyDeletedamn so many things to read........
ReplyDeletebut still quite interesting!
Yeah i feel that communication is an important key to a good relationship.well, you mentioned that you may leap one stage or regress.however, it is good to know that your relationship regresses each time it leaps.I think the Knapp Model that you've mentioned is pretty clear and gave me a clear view on the ten stage.
ReplyDeletewell done.keep it up:)
are there any other relationship models other than knapps'?
ReplyDeletemany stages in relationship. what the heck!
ReplyDeleteTERMINATING!! oh, im not telling you to terminate your relationship haha
Interesting model. =)
ReplyDeleteMaybe I should try out whether it works. XD
The Knapp model discussed is definitely an eye-opener to many of us as we seldom evaluate our relationships so systematically. Nonetheless, I feel that it is a very useful model which allows us to reflect and look for solutions when we find ourselves falling into the "falling apart" segment. I agree with your point, whereby the model is not a linear model, and there are bound to be "jumps" from stages to stages. I guess this model can be used as a guide to everyone, be it relationships relating to work, school, or our own personal lives. Interesting evaluation done here as you also shared with us your own personal experience. :)
ReplyDelete