Chapter 9 - Communicating in Close Relationships Flashcards
Attraction Theory
A theory that explains the primary forces that draw people together.
Proximity
How physically close one is to others.
Attractiveness
The appeal one person has for another, based on physical appearance, personalities, and/or behavior.
Matching Hypothesis
The tendency to develop relationships with people who are approximately as attractive as we are.
Similarity
Degree to which people share the same values, interests, and background.
Social Penetration Theory
A theory that proposed relationships develop through increases in self-disclosure.
Uncertainty Reduction Theory
A theory that argues relationship development is facilitated or derailed by participants’ efforts to reduce their uncertainty about each other.
Predicted Outcome Theory
A theory that attempts to explain how reducing uncertainty can lead to attraction or repulsion.
Knapp’s Stage Model
Model of relationship development that views relationships as occurring in “stages”” and that focuses on how people communicate as relationships develop and decline.
Initiating
Stage of romantic relational development in which both people behave so as to appear pleasant and likable.
Experimenting
Stage of romantic relational development in which both people seek to learn about each other.
Intensifying
Stage of romantic relational development in which both people seek to increase intimacy and connectedness.
Integrating
Stage of romantic relational development in which both people pretrade themselves as a couple.
Bonding
Stage of romantic relational development characterized by public commitment.
Differentiating
Stage of romantic relational dissolution in which couples increase their interpersonal distance.
Circumscribing
Stage of romantic relational dissolution in which couples discuss safe topics.
Stagnating
Stage of romantic relational dissolution in which couples try to prevent change.
Avoiding
Stage of romantic relational dissolution in which couples try not to interact with each other.
Terminating
Stage of romantic relational dissolution in which couples end the relationship.
Relational Trajectory Models
Relationship development models that view relationship development as more variable than do stage models.
Turning Point Model
A model of relationship development in which couples move both toward and away from commitment over the course of the relationship.
Relational Maintenance
Behaviors that couples perform to help maintain their relationships.
Passing Away
The process by which relationships decline over time.
Sudden Death
The process by which relationships end without prior warning for at least one participant.
Withdrawal/Avoidance
A friendship termination strategy in which friends spend less time together, don’t return phone calls, and avoid places where they are likely to see each other.
Machiavellian Tactics
Having a third-party convey one’s unhappiness about a relationship.
Deception
Concealment, distortion, or lying in communication.
Truth Bias
The tendency to not suspect one’s intimates of deception.
Jealousy
A complex and often painful emotion that occurs when a person perceives a threat to an existing relationship.
Interpersonal Violence
Physical violence against a partner or child.
Sexual Coercion
Physically nonviolent pressure to engage in unwanted sex.
Homogeneity
A high degree of similarity.
Hurtful Messages
Messages that criticize, tease, reject, or otherwise cause emotional injury to another.
