Stage Theories of Relationship Development

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Stage Theories of Relationship Development

• Knapp Vangelistis is the most developed,
  differentiated, and communication-oriented.
• There are others (e.g., Levingers Attraction,
  Building, Continuation, Deterioration, Ending).

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Bonding
Integrating
Differentiating
Intensifying
Circumscribing
Experimenting
Stagnating
Initiating
Avoiding
Terminating
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Basic Assumptions

• Assumes that relational development and
  deterioration shows predictable patterns
• Assumes steps rather than gradual slopes
• Assumes it is atypical to skip stages (things
  accomplished at each stage)
• Assumes momentum up or down
• Assumes that partners move through stages
  together
• Assumes that stages are within partners control
  (more or less, or at least minimizes environment)

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What Stages Theories Capture

• Provides general guidelines for relating
• Theme and variations
• Emphasizes gradual progression, plateaus, and
  regression
• Describes patterns of talk
• Notes important tasks
• Provides some predictability

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What Stage Theories Miss

• Meant for mixed-gender romantic (what about
  friends? Same-gender romantic? Non-voluntary? All
  ages?).
• Oversimplifies a complex process (esp. skipping
  stages, maybe typical)
• Special circumstances (e.g., internet,
  long-distance)
• Other people left out
• Slope more than steps, changes within steps
• Changes due to circumstances
• Why up or down?