Relational Development

Knapp’s Relational Development Model

I have only known about this model last week and admit it, its pretty intriguing. More often than not when asked by others, “which stage are you now in your relationship?’, its hard to give an answer. Probably because its difficult to classify stages of a relationship.. but this model is precise and and easily understandable.

Words alone will not suffice when it comes to explaining the model. Below is a video that shows the processes following the model.

This video is a compilation of scenes from popular movie Cinderella Story. It starts out with two main characters, Sam and Austin, having some form of interaction. Their first time meeting; Initiation was awkward, as they probably did not have a good impression of the other. Slowly, they move on to Experimenting whereby there’s small talk and a little self disclosure. The intensifying stage starts where they have slight physical contact.

Integrating here is slightly different. They are somewhat labelled as a ’couple’ but because this show is adapted from a fairytale, their identities were not exposed. In the middle of the clip, their differences are made obvious by the evil schemes of  Sam’s stepsisters. This is known as Differentiating whereby there is reaffirmation of individuality. The coming apart process includes the Stagnation and Avoiding stage. This is usually encompassed with awkwardness and alienation.

In worst cases, it will eventually lead to Terminating. I am sure you all know what it means (; In other words, a break up.. whereby parties move on from the relationship. In the video, this stage does not occur because IT IS A FAIRYTALE where there’s always a happy ending.

Relationships today will usually follow majority of the processes included in this efficient model. However, this model is not sequential whereby you cannot reach a later step without completing an earlier one. It is possible to jump from stages to stages. Of course when one is experiencing the later stages of this model, it is advisable to anaylse the problems wisely or this will lead to a fast forward to the last stage.

I hope this was enlightening for everybody. What are your thoughts on this model, and feel free to share what stage you guys are at? (:

Peaceeee.

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