My first reaction to Mark Knapp and Anita Vangelisti's model of developmental stages within relationships is that it seems too contrived; but, then again, I'm not a communications scholar. The model is applicable, perhaps, but I can only use it to describe relationships en masse. No one relationship in particular sticks out that seems unique to explain through use of the model.
I have not had a relationship reach the intimacy stage, romantically, and question (now, looking at the model) if my relationships at the intensification stage are, as Knapp and Vangelisti have put it, "stable" or "stagnant".
In my experience, most of my relationships have carried out in one or the other of the following manners:
1. The relationship begins at the pre-interaction awareness stage, and that is where it stays.
2. There was no pre-interaction awareness stage, thus the relationship begins at the initiation stage, and that is where it stays.
3. Or, the relationship begins at either one of the previous stages and proceeds to the exploration stage, which is where it stays until it is time for it to move into the intensification stage.
And there we have it.
Of course some relationships are more intricate, but the model does not leave room to disclose factors such as the duration of a relationship, or the time spent between stages and at each stage.
I have not had a relationship reach the intimacy stage, romantically, and question (now, looking at the model) if my relationships at the intensification stage are, as Knapp and Vangelisti have put it, "stable" or "stagnant".
In my experience, most of my relationships have carried out in one or the other of the following manners:
1. The relationship begins at the pre-interaction awareness stage, and that is where it stays.
2. There was no pre-interaction awareness stage, thus the relationship begins at the initiation stage, and that is where it stays.
3. Or, the relationship begins at either one of the previous stages and proceeds to the exploration stage, which is where it stays until it is time for it to move into the intensification stage.
And there we have it.
Of course some relationships are more intricate, but the model does not leave room to disclose factors such as the duration of a relationship, or the time spent between stages and at each stage.
However, one part of the metaphor, relating relationship development to an elevator stopping at every floor of a high-rise of relational stages, that interests me is the mention of riding the elevator together in order to make a relationship work.
It is time to reflect on whether I am in the elevator alone with any of my relationships.
It is time to reflect on whether I am in the elevator alone with any of my relationships.
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