Knapp and Vangelisti's Model of Relationship Development

Conclusion

• The relationship model (created by Mark Knapp and Anita Vangelisti) has ten stages and two phases.
• These phases are " coming together" and "coming apart".

Terminating

Ending Statements

• This stage can happen in various ways.
• The relationship has come to an end.
• Some couples that have good communication skills are able to make things work.
• Relationships all depend on communication.

• Not every relationship is going to follow this model.
• Some skip stages, some may never get to some.
• Relationships take a lot of work to maintain.
• Forming meaningful relationships is important.

Avoiding

• Individuals begin to create distance between each other by creating excuses.
• If avoiding is not done by generating excuses then it is usually done with a direct statement.
• The future of the relationship is very clear at this time.

Works Cited

Stagnating

• No growth in the relationship.
• Example: The worker who no longer finds joy in his job.
• According to L.A. Baxter in "Symbols of Relationship Identity in Relationship", a vibrant relationship correlates with symbols and functionality.

Circumscribing

• Welch, S-A., and Rebecca B. Rubin. "Development Of Relationship Stage Measures." Communication Quarterly 50.1 (2002): 24-40. Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 2 July 2013.
• Linda Hock-Long, et al. "Love And Hooking Up In The New Millennium: Communication Technology And Relationships Among Urban African American And Puerto Rican Young Adults." Journal Of Sex Research 49.6 (2012): 570-582. Academic Search Complete. Web. 2 July 2013.
• Dunleavy, Katie Neary, and Melanie Booth-Butterfield. "Idiomatic Communication In The Stages Of Coming Together And Falling Apart." Communication Quarterly57.4 (2009): 416-432. Social Sciences Full Text (H.W. Wilson). Web. 2 July 2013.
• L.A. Baxter “Symbols of Relationship Identity in Relationship.” Cultures Journal of Social and Personal Relationships. August 1987 4: 261-280,
• J.H. Tolhuizen, “Communication Strategies for Intensifying Dating Relationships: Identification, Use and Structure.” Journal of Social and Personal Relationships June (1989): 413-434
• Clips from the movie "500 days of Summer".
• http://www.adamroslan.com/2010/10/knapps-relational-development-model/

• There is diminishing commitment to the relationship and a shrinking interest.
• In J.H. Tolhuizen's article of " Communication Strategies for Intensifying Dating Relationships", he says that termination is inevitable unless there is a drastic change in the relationship.

Circumscribing

• Characterized by dwindling communication in the relationship.
• Communication begins to decrease in quantity and quality.
• Communication becomes less dynamic and more static.

Knapp and Vangelisti's Model of Relationship Development

Proposed by Knapp and Vangelisti

Hannah Abu-Salim

Guadalupe Alvarez

Harrison Lobb

Kathryn Ross-Sexton

Mariam Tara-Koroma

Speech 1311

• This model breaks down the rise and fall of relationships into ten stages.
• According to Rebecca Rubin in her article, "Development of Relationship Stage Measures", the Knapp theory of relationships is an effective way to identify how relationships develop, strengthen, and deteriorate.

Differentiating

• People establish their individual identities.
• "Put me down" messages begin to occur.
• Partners use a variety of strategies to gain privacy from one another.
• Sometimes they confront the other party directly, explaining they don't want to continue a discussion.
• At other times they are less direct, offering nonverbal cues, changing the topic or leaving the room.

Initiating

• Where the first impressions are made.
• Appearance and what is said during light conversation usually play a role in this stage.
• Usually includes factors such as clothing, hair styles, and whether the person seems friendly or not.

Experimenting

• Individuals probe each other for information, hoping to gather information to build a relationship off of.
• Usually includes interests or hobbies.

Bonding

• The parties make symbolic public gestures to show the world that their relationship exists.
• Bonding is mostly shown by wedding ceremonies or civil unions.
• Relationships don't have to be romantic to have a bonding stage.

Integrating

Intensifying

• Communication starts to occur more often.
• Feelings are expressed more freely and more often.
• Partners begin to feel more comfortable.
• Feelings of attraction and closeness are shared.
• Direct and less direct methods of communication.
• Touching becomes more common.
• Commitment to one another develops.

• Connections grow and members identify as one instead of individually.
• Members begin to help one another and take on responsibilities and commitments.
• Members develop their own special, identifiable things.
• This integration leads to a sense of obligation to one another.