Exam 9: Understanding Interpersonal Relationships

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1.Stage one: $\text{Preinteraction awareness}$ is the stage where you observe someone or talk with others about the person you are attracted to without having any direct interaction.You may use passive strategies, for example, observing the other person to gain information or asking other people about the person in order to form initial impressions.
2.Stage two: $\text{Acquaintance}$ marks the very first interaction in which you stick to safe and superficial topics and present a "public self" to the other person.Conversations emphasize sociability.There are two sub-stages-introductions, which are routine with only basic information shared and casual banter, in which impersonal topics are discussed with very limited personal information shared.
3.Stage three: $\text{Exploration}$ is the stage when you begin to share more in-depth information about yourselves.You disclose large amounts of low-risk information.There is limited physical contact and a limited amount of time spent together.This stage can begin as part of your first interaction after moving quickly through the acquaintance stage.
4.Stage four: $\text{Intensification}$ occurs when you start to depend on each other for self-confirmation and engage in more risky self-disclosure.You spend more time together, increase the variety of activities shared, adopt a more personal physical distance, engage in more physical contact, and personalize language.You may start to discuss the nature of the relationship and describe each other as "girlfriend" or "boyfriend," or make a decision to date each other exclusively.
5.Stage five: $\text{Intimacy}$ is the top floor in a relationship.Communication becomes highly personalized and synchronized, and the two talk about anything and everything.There is a free flow of information and intimate self-disclosure.Reaching this stage takes time.In romantic relationships, this commitment may be formalized through marriage.

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1. $\text{Turmoil or stagnation}$ is the first stage of relational de-escalation.Turmoil occurs when there is an increase in conflict and one or both partners tend to find more faults in the other person.The definition of the relationship seems to lose its clarity, and mutual acceptance declines.Communication is tense and exchanges become difficult.Stagnation occurs when the relationship loses its vitality and the partners become complacent.Communication and physical contact decreases, less time is spent together, but there is not necessarily much fighting at this stage.
2. $\text{Deintensification}$ occurs when interactions are more significantly decreased and physical, emotional, and psychological distances become greater.The partners may also decrease their dependence on the other person for self-confirmation.They might discuss the definition of their relationship, question its future, and assess each partner's level of satisfaction or dissatisfaction.
3.In the $\text{individualization stage}$ , the partners tend to define their lives more as individuals and less in terms of their relationship.Interactions are limited.The perspective changes from "we" and "us" to "you" and "me" and property is defined in terms of "mine" or "yours" instead of "ours." The partners turn to others for confirmation of their self-concepts.
4.In the $\text{separation}$ stage, individuals make an intentional decision to eliminate or minimize further interpersonal interaction.They divide friends, resources, and property.Despite separating, individuals still cope with feelings of commitment.Circumstances such as attending the same classes, working in the same office, or sharing the same circle of friends might lead to continued contact with the "ex."
5. $\text{Post-separation effects}$ occur when the relationship has been officially dissolved, but the effects of the relationship are not over.The relationship has a lasting effect on each of the participants and their relationships with other people.The former partners may engage in "grave-dressing," which means they create a public statement about why they broke up and try to put a positive spin on the death of the relationship.