1.1 Key principles of relationship theories - Stage theories in general describe how we go through distinct stages as we develop. Thus, rather than gradually changing, we typically make sudden shifts to different plateaus of perception and behaviour.
Relationships go through a series of stages as they mature. Levinger's model has ABCDE stages.
A = Acquaintance/attraction. We meet other people and feel an initial attraction, often based on physical beauty and similarity.
B = Build-up. We become increasingly interdependent as we reveal more and more about our private selves. We get irritated by one another, but the more pleasant aspects may well keep the relationship going.
C = Continuation/consolidation. Longer-term commitments are
•Firstly satisfaction is the rewards minus the costs of being within a particular relationship. The outcome of this calculation is compared to the personal standard of what is acceptable, where if outcomes surpass the comparison level individuals are satisfied. •Next would be the quality of alternative relationships, where if there is an attractive alternative to their relationship they may be drawn to it. •Sometimes however they may stay in a relationship just because there is a lack of better alternatives. Additionally they may feel that having no relationship would be worse than having an unsatisfactory one. •Finally with investments into the relationship, this is anything that an individual puts into a relationship that they have entered which may be lost if they leave it e.g. time, friends, material possessions.
- the breakdown of romantic relationships Rollie and Ducks model of breakdown 1) Breakdown - One partner becomes increasingly dissatisfied with the relationship – if this dissatisfaction is sufficient, there is a progression to the next set of stages.
2) Intrapsychic - Internally: The individual may feel resentment towards their partner and become socially withdrawn. They may start to focus on partner’s faults while considering other possible alternatives for partners. 3) Dyadic Relationship problems are talked