This chapter discusses developing and maintaining interpersonal relationships. It covers Shutz's three social needs of inclusion, control, and affection. Characteristics of relationships include variability, duration, frequency, revelation, meshing, complementarity, symmetry, support, anxiety reduction, and proximity. Knapp's stages of relationship development are also presented. The chapter then discusses relational expectancies in the short and long term and various strategies for gaining affinity in relationships outlined by Daly. Conflict management techniques include leaving the field, changing topics, restoring trust, and compromise. Conflict can be prevented by raising tolerance for disagreement, reducing importance of issues, and increasing affinity between communicators.

10. Disagreement A difference of opinion about facts, on what the facts imply, or on what we might wish to do about those facts.

11. Tolerance for Disagreement (p. 389) An individual’s ability to openly discuss opposition arguments to their own arguments without feeling personally attacked or confronted.

12. Tolerance for Disagreement