PSY 473 Chapter 8: C8
Document Summary
Relationship maintenance : the routine behaviors and strategies partners undertake to ensure their relationship will continue and/or improve. Intimacy process model: framework that describes intimacy in terms ofdisclosures and responses to those disclosures that serve to deepen or weaken feelings of understanding, validation, and caring in a committed relationship. Interpretive filter: how partners understand each others" disclosures and responses : sensitive, empathic interpretations increase closenessintimacy while critical or dismissive interpretations can threaten these feelings. Partners must share their thoughts and have open exchanges about issues that matter to them. Understand superficial meaning in words as well as subhe hidden meanings. 2 that reflects understanding such as encouragingengaging questions. 3 or how to transition to another topic: know whether, when , Empathy : capacity to understand and share another person"s thoughts and feelings. Approaching intimacy as an interactive process provides a basis for identifying a range of specific strategies people use to maintain relationships.
