This chapter discusses key aspects of interpersonal relationships including how and why they are formed. It describes the different types of relationships like family, friendship, and romantic relationships. It also outlines some theories about relationship dynamics including uncertainty reduction theory, social penetration theory, and stages of relationships. Finally, it discusses factors that influence self-disclosure and the advantages and disadvantages of maintaining relationships.

1. Chapter 7
Developing and
Maintaining
Relationships

2. • Explain key aspects of interpersonal
relationships
• Describe how and why we form
relationships
• List the advantages and
disadvantages of relationships
Chapter Outcomes

3. • Describe the factors that influence
self-disclosure
• Outline the predictable stages of
most relationships
Chapter Outcomes
(cont.)

4. The interconnections
and interdependence
between two
individuals
Interpersonal
Relationships

5. Interpersonal
communication: the
exchange of verbal and
nonverbal messages
between two people who
have a relationship and
are influenced by their
partner’s messages
Interpersonal
Relationships (cont.)

6. A web of relationships that
connect individuals to one
another
Relational Network

7. • Family: A small
social group bound
by ties of blood,
civil contract, and
a commitment to
care for one
another
Types of
Interpersonal
Relationships

8. • Friendship:
– Close and caring
relationship between
two people
– Perceived as mutually
satisfying and beneficial
– Offers support,
companionship
Types of
Interpersonal
Relationships (cont.)

9. • Romantic Relationships:
– Include love, or deep
affection for and attachment
to another person
• Love includes eros, ludus,
storge, pragma, mania, agape
– Include intimacy, or closeness
and understanding of a relational
partner
Types of
Interpersonal
Relationships (cont.)

10. • Online Relationships
– Social Information Processing
Theory argues that virtual relationships
are as close as face-to-face relationships.
– Hyperpersonal communication:
online communication that is even more
intimate than face-to-face
– Include friendships, romances, business
relationships, group memberships
Types of
Interpersonal
Relationships (cont.)

11. • Functions of relationships
– Companionship (inclusion)
– Stimulation
– Goal achievement
• Interpersonal attraction
– Proximity (nearness)
– Physical attraction
– Similarity
Why We Form
Relationships

12. • Costs and rewards
– Social exchange theory balances
advantages and disadvantages
– Rewards
• Extrinsic (external advantages)
• Instrumental (shared resources)
• Intrinsic (personal satisfaction)
– Costs
• Cause stress or annoyance
Managing
Relationship
Dynamics

13. • Reducing uncertainty
– Uncertainty reduction theory:
People need information to become
closer or separate.
• Passive strategies include observing and
monitoring.
• Active strategies involve checking with a
third party.
• Interactive strategies involve asking the
person for information.
Managing
Relationship
Dynamics (cont.)

14. • Dialectical tensions:
contradictory feelings that tug at
every relationship
– Relational dialectics theory
• Autonomy vs. Connection
• Openness vs. Closedness
• Predictability vs. Novelty
Managing
Relationship
Dynamics (cont.)

15. • Social penetration
theory (SPT):
How relationships move
from superficial levels to
levels of intimacy
Self-Disclosure and
Relationships

16. • Communication privacy
management theory
(CPM):
– We own private information.
– We control that information.
– Boundary turbulence
is a threat to privacy
boundaries.
Self-Disclosure and
Relationships (cont.)

17. • Strategic topic avoidance:
– Maneuvering the conversation
away from undesirable topics
because of potential for
embarrassment,
vulnerability, or
relational decline
Self-Disclosure and
Relationships (cont.)

18. Stages of a
Relationship

19. • Initiating stage:
– Make contact with
another person.
– Many relationships
don’t move beyond
this stage.
Stages of a
Relationship (cont.)

20. • Exploratory stage:
– Small talk to obtain superficial
information
– Uncertainty
reduction
Stages of a
Relationship (cont.)

21. • Intensification
stage:
– Personal self-
disclosure
– Share affection
verbally
– Pet names
Stages of a
Relationship (cont.)

22. • Stable stage:
– Integrating or
becoming one
– Bonding by sharing
public messages
about the relationship
Stages of a
Relationship (cont.)

23. • Declining stage:
– Uncertainty events
• Interference
• Unmet expectations
– Relationship Repair
• Repair tactics
Stages of a
Relationship (cont.)

24. • Termination stage:
– Passing away
• Relationship gradually
fades
– Sudden death
• Unexpected
termination for one
partner
Stages of a
Relationship (cont.)

25. • Reconciliation:
– Spontaneous development
– Third-party mediation
– High affect
– Tacit persistence
– Mutual interaction
– Avoidance
Stages of a
Relationship (cont.)