1. Knapp’s Staircase Model
Stages of Relational Development

2. Knapp’s Staircase Model Coming Together
Initiating
Uncertainty reduction through ____________
Superficial & reciprocated immediately
Partners stress & explore commonalities
Experimenting
Establish ______________through info exchange; reciprocity still immediate
Increase ____________ of involvement
Intensifying
Shared conception of relationship; Begin to reference ________________
Informal forms of address used frequently; Linguistic markers of intimacy
Relational symbols explored
Integrating
Couple views R. as single social unit (rather than 2 indiv’s) & as unique
Relationship symbols firmly established
Bonding
Relationship as
Often confirmed through

3. Knapp’s Staircase Model Coming Apart
Differentiating
1st stage of breaking up
R. goes from _________ to _________
Fewer activities done together, time alone enjoyed more
Circumscribing
Both parties try to limit amount of ___________w/ each other
May say things like, “Don’t talk to me about that,” or “It’s none of your business.”
This serves as another way to keep space b/w each other.
Stagnating
Time when things become stuck, parties feel in a “rut”; Way of being motionless
Partners interact in an everyday conversation that becomes repetitive
Avoiding
Couple becomes less and less involved
They try to prevent ways to talk; It’s a way to keep distance at a controllable rate
Only connection w/ each other occurs _______________________
Terminating
End it all completely
Can be divorce, mutual agreement, death, or just ending it

5. Maintaining Relationships
Used to sustain relationship at desirable level
Constant growth & change 1.
w/o conscious attempt
by-product 2.
specific purpose of preserving or improving

6. Maintenance Strategies
Positivity -
Shared tasks
Shared activities
Conflict management
Cooperation, apologizing, forgiving
Openness
Self disclosure freedom
Advice-giving -
Social networks -
Assurances
ceremonies

7. Relational Repair
Behaviors partners use to ___________relationship

8. Repair Strategies strategies
Cheerful / favors / deferring / affection / refrain from criticism
Talk about problems / interim progress reports / time outs
Ritual / special occasions
Time talking
Symbolic contact
Openness & honest
Day to day talk
Feelings

9. Dindia & Baxter 1999 More strategies to ___________ than ___________
No relationship between strategies & _____________
Longer relationship used _____________strategies