COM 310 Lecture Notes - Small Talk, Text Messaging, Relational Dialectics
Document Summary
Stage models depict relationship development and disengagement as largely linear processes. Graph looks like a staircase for coming together/apart. Move out of small and into the next stage. Focuses on small talk (breadth over depth with positive valence) Most relationships (casual friends, acquaintenances) do not move beyond this stage. It"s important to meet face to face with a person after two weeks of messaging each other and to get to know the person. People might be more different than you think. Movement from a casual relationship to a closer more committed relationship. Keep it on a level that"s safe and makes us look good. Focuses on initial encounters, greeting rituals, and opening lines. Disclosure is low in breadth, depth, frequency, and duration. Breadth is the number of topics to discuss. Disclosure is positively valenced as people try to be socially polite and make good impressions. We are not going to bring up anything that is embarrassing.