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