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Relational Dialectics
Morgan Kingston
Interpersonal Communications
Professor Seward
February 17, 2016
Morgan Kingston
Interpersonal Communications
Professor Seward
February 17, 2016
Relational Dialectics Everyone experiences some form of a relationship in their life, whether it is with family, friends, or a significant other. Not every relationship is flawless. Every relationship will have tensions that will exist. “A relationship is a union where two individuals from different backgrounds compromise in many ways.” (Relational Dialectics Theory). People experience internal tensions that are conflicting while being in a relationship. Relational Dialectics Theory, introduced by Professor Leslie Baxter and Barbera M. Montgomery
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The four core concepts of relational dialectics include: contraindication, totality, process, and praxis. Contraindications are the core concept of relational dialectics. It is the dynamic interaction between unified oppositions. A contraindication is formed whenever two tendencies or forces are mutually dependent yet mutually negate on another. For example, in a relationship one can desire both intimacy and distance. Totality suggests that contraindications in a relationship cannot be understood in remoteness. Dialectics are essentially related to each other. Tension between dependence and interdependence cannot be separated from the tension between openness and privacy. Relational dialectics must be understood in terms of social processes. Movement, activity, and change are functional properties. For example, an individual may move between periods of honest and open communication. Praxis is a term for the concept of practical behavior. In praxis the experience of having a relationship exposes one to the obligation of the needs and values of another. Praxis focuses on the everyday choices individuals make in the midst of the opposing needs and values. The choices and actions create, re-create, and change the nature of the relationship and the dialectical tensions themselves (Baxter, Leslie A., and Dawn O. Braithwaite. Engaging Theories in Interpersonal Communication: Multiple
4. At that moment I couldn’t feel any more cynical about the way my friend was acting out.
In chapter one we are introduced to our narrator, Ponyboy. Ponyboy is raised by his two older brothers Darry and Soda. They’re all apart of a gang called the “greasers” which is joined by Dally, Johnny, Two-bit, and Steve. There is another group called “ socs” which stands for socials, and everyone in that group is very wealthy. One day Ponyboy got jumped by a socs group, but luckily Darry was there to help before anything too serious happened. The first element of literature is characterization. Ponyboy is a keen observer, trying to make sense of the complexities of those around him. At the beginning of the story, he stops and spends several pages giving us brief character description on Steve, Two-Bit, Dally, and Johnny. This is also known as direct characterization. He tells us that Steve is "cocky and smart" ( Hinton 9). Two-Bit can 't stop joking around and goes to school for "kicks" (Hinton 10) rather than to learn. Dallas, he says, is "tougher, colder, meaner" ( Hinton 10) than the rest of them.
Chapters 5 and 6 in Extraordinary Relationships gave a good introduction into new concepts relating to Human Interactions and Relationships. These new concepts give a better idea in understanding relationship patterns and the various emotions that come along with relationships. Two concepts that stood out to me that were discussed throughout the chapter were relationship patterns and relationship emotions. Over time many relationships develop their own unique patterns. In many cases these patterns have been part of the individual all along. Gilbert (1992) states “Usually what people do in a relationship crises is more of the same thing they have been doing, only more intensely and more anxiously” (pg.36). When individuals go through relationship
A developed relationship can be interpreted as one where the couple is interdependent, tolerant, and dedicated. Equity allows a relationship to efficiently develop in this manner. Judith Viorst illustrates a poem depicting a couple’s struggles and their sacrifices for the other in “True Love”. In many points of the poem, the couple is compromising for the other’s flaws in order to avoid unnecessary conflicts. “I do not resent watching the Green Bay Packers / Even though I am philosophically opposed to football” (Stanza 1) is an example of the wife forcing herself
What is the meaning of the word “relationship”? Most of us hear this word every day, in other words “a state of affairs existing between those having relations and dealings. There are four types of relationships: couple, family, and friend. Most of the relationships can be difficult, romantic relationship seem to be the most complicated types. Sometimes two lovers can care for each others, yet they cannot talk to each others. When a problem occurs between two people for a long time, it most likely will get to a fight and most of the time to end the relationship. While watching The Break-Up movie, showed a lot of elements of the interpersonal relationships. The movie talked about two couple stayed together for a long time. And they started to fight about minor stuff that leads to end the relationship.
The chapter title is straight-forward and literal, as it explains the desperate times and unrealistic conditions of England and France in the time period of 1775.
For this paper, we will be talking about relational communications and Goffman’s terms. The definition of relational communication is “communication processes in personal relationships such as romantic, family, and friendships. We assess the role of communication in developing, maintaining, and dissolving relationships, how communication impacts partners and their relationships, and how to improve relational quality or individual well-being through communication. Recent topics examined include conflict mediation, relational standards, relational uncertainty in dating relationships, and communication environments in families” (n.d.). As it has said, it is about the relationships in our life. Goffman also stated that there was a front and
In understanding Relational Cultural Theory (RCT), we will first examine its fundamental assumptions and then critically assess those assumptions. Next, we will evaluate RCT’s assumptions to determine its relevance to the core values of social work. Finally, we will determine the ways RCT can best guide social work practice.
Harrington & Braithwaite suggest as cited by West & Turner “It is through communication practices that people achieve dialectical unity, or the way in which people are able to make contradictions feel complete and satisfactory.” (West & Turner, 2010, p.201) What I perceive to be may be something different, however, once someone shows me who they really are; I can only believe what I see. No matter what, I choose to have in my relationship it has to be simultaneously in nature. If I decide to have behavior control this can still lead to contradictions in my relationship even though, I may change that does not mean that the other person in the relationship will. My boyfriend’s views of the relationship seem to be quite different than
Interpersonal conflict is. Every relationship has conflict and determining on how the conflict is resolved or handled can make the relationship stronger or weaker. If someone is more easily to come up with a compromise rather than always getting their own way, they may have stronger relationships (Bevan and Sole, 2014). Television shows also use interpersonal conflict between their characters to find a solution or compromise in the end. Interpersonal conflict is all around us, it is how we handle that conflict that makes or breaks our relationships.
Ingrid Connidis and Julia McMullin argue that ambivalence must be reconceptualized to help get a better understanding of family relationships. Connidis and McMullin’s main argument is that ambivalence is created by conflicts attached in sets of structured social relationships that clash with one's attempt to test individual's influence in relationships.
The connection-autonomy dialectic is the dialectical tension that I have found to be most challenging in my relationships, especially in my friendships, or lack of them. Finding a balance on the spectrum of these two has always been harder for me and is something that I continue to struggle with. I would say that my entire life I have fallen more on the autonomy side of this dialectical continuum. When I was younger I just thought I was shy, but as I have gotten older and explored my personality, I have realized that I am just very introverted and would really rather be alone. It is kind of depressing to say, but my social life consists of my retail job because after all that interaction I am just drained
“When people progress in a relationship they sometimes due to other external pressures will start thinking individually rather than with the partner. They may start developing hobbies or other endeavors. The relationship will start to fade and the everlasting bond will be broken. The feeling of dislike is often expressed by the partners on their commitment.”
For example, if you know the romantic rules of the relationship rules theory then you should have a better awareness of what to do and what not to do in order to make a relationship work. Although you do have to know that there is a difference in romantic rules, as well as in other relationship theories, from one culture to the next. With the relationship dialects theory, it is imperative to know the opposing motives or desires within an interpersonal relationship. Autonomy and connection are an example of one of the three opposing motives; you can wish to still be an independent person while also wanting to connect closely to another person and grow the relationship. People often worry that they will lose their identity if they become too involved with their partner. If you understand the relationship dialects theory, then you will be able to deal with these issues through the ways it