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Relational Dialectics Theory

Leslie Baxter and Barbara Montgomery

Presented by Nicole Morson

Works Cited

Three Primary Relational Dialectics

Connectedness and Separation

Certainty and Uncertainty

Openness and Closedness

Baxter, Leslie A. "A Tale Of Two Voices: Relational Dialectics Theory." Journal Of Family Communication 4.3/4 (2004): 181-192. Communication & Mass Media Complete. Web. 1 Dec. 2013.

Braithwaite, Dawn O., and Leslie A. Baxter. Engaging Theories in Family Communication: Multiple Perspectives. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE Publications, 2006. Print.

Dumlao, Rebecca J., and Emily M. Janke. "Using Relational Dialectics to Address Differences in Community-Campus Partnerships." Journal of Higher Education Outreach and Engagement 16.2 (2012): n. pag. JSTOR. Web. 30 Nov. 2013. <http://openjournals.libs.uga.edu/index.php/jheoe/article/view/793>.

Griffin, Emory A. "Relational Dialectics." A First Look at Communication Theory. 8th ed. Boston: McGraw-Hill Higher Education, 2009. 153-65. Print.

"Relational Dialectics." Honors: Communication Capstone Spring 2001 Theory Workbook. University of Kentucky, 14 Feb. 2001. Web. 02 Dec. 2013.

West, Richard L., and Lynn H. Turner. "Relational Dialectics Theory." Introducing Communication Theory: Analysis and Application. 2nd ed. Boston: McGraw- Hill, 2010. N. pag. Print.

RDT 2.0: Five Dialogues

The Theory in a Nutshell

Where is it now?

Dialogue as Constitutive

Dialogue as Utterance Chain

Dialogue as Dialectical Flux

Dialogue as Aesthetic Moment

Dialogue as Critical Sensibility

Praises and Critiques

Adjustments have been made

Used in family studies

Also prevalent in community studies

Research is ongoing

  • When we are in relationship with others we experience internal, conflicting pulls which cause our relationships to be in a constant state of flux, known as dialectical tension.

  • Pressures from these tensions occur in wavelike fashions over time

  • The closer individuals become to one another, the more conflict will arise to pull them apart
  • HIGHLY INTERPRETIVE

Not enough empirical research

Almost impossible to generalize

Little aesthetic appeal

Difficult to falsify

Reveals truths about personal relationships