Relational Dialectics Theory (Relationship) Flashcards
Who created the Relational Dialectics Theory?
Lesley Baxter (its a her)
Explain briefly what the theory focuses on.
A dialogical theory: relationships are defined through dialogue. We construct the conversation in communication.
A dialectical theory: relationships are a place where contradictions and tensions are managed.
Dialogues are conversations that define and redefine relationships as they develop in actual situations over time.
Natural tension in relationships are managed through coordinated talk.
Relational life is always in process.
Always feels the push and pull. (different places the partners come from –> always a “conflict” on its way because of different “viewpoints”
Baxter provides four vantage points for seeing the process of relational dialogue. Name the four and briefly explain their focus points.
- Relationships are made in dialogue: relationships are constructed in talk. Can be done in two ways
a. Chronotopic similarity: e.g.retelling old stories
b. Self-becoming: identify the differences. Separate you from the relationship. - Dialogue affords an opportunity to achieve a unity within diversity: managing the conflict. The relationship is either going forwards or backwards.
- Dialogue is aesthetic:
The dialogue involves a sense of balance, coherence, wholeness.
Aesthetic moments - Dialogue is Discourse:
The practical and aesthetic outcomes are created in communication.
Relationships produced through written and spoken communication.
Elaborate on the 2. vantage point “dialogue affords an opportunity to achieve a unity with diversity.”
Managing Conflict
- Integration vs. seperation: the tension between feeling close and distance
- Expressiopn vs. nonexpression: the tension between whether to reveal information or keep it a secret
- Stability vs. change: the tension between being predictable/consistent vs. being spontaneous/different
Baxters 5 quailities that change as relationships develop
- amplitude: strength of feelings/behaviors
- salience: focus on the past, present, future
- scale: how long patterns last
- sequence: the order of events in the relationship
- Pace/rhythm: the pace of events
Elaborate and give examples of Baxters 5 qualities that change as relationships develop.
- amplitude:
strength of feelings/behavior
e.g. in a relationship you will work harder at some points, but at other time be more laid back about how it develops. - salience:
focus on the past, present, future
e.g.when you think about the fight you had yesterday (past), or you appreciate your partner in the very moment he/she does something with you (present), or thinking about your future together (future) - scale:
how long patterns last
e.g.When you have rituals or the patterns change quite often, change the routine. - sequence:
the order of events in the relationship
e.g. some event are very stable (catching up on a series you watch together), Others last shortly and are easily replaced. - Pace/rhythm:
the pace of events:
e.g. something things happen quickly (the summer you graduated) and other things may happen slowly (during retirement)
What is a aesthetic moment?
brief incidents in a relationship that brings participants together through the use of dialogue. A temporary feeling of wholeness between the partners involved.
Give an example of an aesthetic moment.
A first kiss
Good things about the theory.
A way of understanding the continous change of relationships. To understand the complex multidimensional concept it is.
Bad things about the theory.
Limited testability. Very western theory. Not usable in work-relationships, focuses on intimate relationships. (interpersonal relationships.)
What is meant by dialogical theory?
Relationships are defined through dialogue
What is meant by dialectical theory?
Relationships are a place where contradictions and tensions are managed.
