Mark. l Knapp (born on July 12th, 1938) is a renowned
teaching professor at the University of Texas and is greatly known for his
works in nonverbal communication research and in evolving interactions. He
developed a theoretical model for relational enhancement which routes the
interpersonal development between two people.
Introduction
Knapp’s relationship model explains how relationships grow
and last and also how they end. This model is categorized into ten different
stages which come under two interrelating stages are Knapp’s relationship
escalation model and Knapp’s relationship termination model. This helps to
understand how a relationship progresses and deteriorates. Diverse levels of
speed and altered time between each step can be seen and experienced when a
relationship grows. The steps can be even skipped out while the progression or
deterioration of a relationship.
Knapp’s Relationship Escalation Model
Coming together
1.
Initiation – This very short stage
is all about making an impression. So this stage the judging would not be
accurate. People will be concerned with making favorable impressions. The
physical appearance plays a great role in impression making such as the dress
that they wear, the perfume they use and the overall appearance.
Example 1 – If a boy finds a girl attractive and want
to make a conversation with her, he will introduce him selves with a formal
greeting – how are you? What is your name?
Example 2 – In business relationships overall
amiability is essential. They ask about demographics, professions and other
shared aims. It is important in business to create a good impression at the
initial stage itself.
2.
Experimentation – In this stage,
it’s all about exploring to know each other well. Experimentation is also
called as the probing stage because each person will analyze the other for
information or a common interest so that they can decide whether to maintain a
relationship among them. Most of the relationships wind up here due to the
different interest levels.
Example 1 – When the boy sees the girl the next
time they will discuss to find out about their common interest and asks
questions like- which is your favorite food? Or which is your favorite car?
Example 2 – An exploration into what partner
fabricates will add benefit to the business of another person in business
relationships.
3.
Intensifying – In this stage the
relationship intensifies and becomes less formal. People will start revealing
their personal information and will analyze the impression on the other person.
They find various ways to nurture a relationship in order to strengthen
interpersonal development such as gifts, spending more time together, asking
for dates, expecting a relationship commitment etc.
Example 1 – The boy asks the girl for a date. During
their date they talk about their lives and how the boy got the job and his
personal experience and the girl also reveals about her parents, her previous
experiences, etc.
Example 2 – In this stage in business,
negotiation and commitment activity may be involved which leads to an increase
in amount formation and trade.
4.
Integration – At this stage, the
people will start to make their relationship as much closer than before. In
personal life people may fall in love or find a close friend. The level of
intimacy can progress to a further relationship.
Example 1 – After several months they labeled their
relationship as boyfriend and girlfriend.
Example 2 – In this stage in business
relationships they will start getting profit for their agreement which results
in financial benefit.
5.
Bonding – In this stage, a person
will announce to the world about their relationship. They make their
relationship recognized and will honor their commitment legally. The
relationship is indefinite and only to be broken through a formal notice,
agreements or death etc.
Example 1 – The boy proposes and the girl agrees
to marry him.
Example 2 – The bonding stage of business
relationships comprises of partnerships and durable relationships which can
lower business expenses and can result in more profit.
Knapp’s Relationship Termination Model
Coming apart
When a relationship progresses, there will be
misunderstandings and conflicts and the so called ‘indefinite relationship’
might fail to persist. Like coming together, there are five stages in coming
apart.
1.
Differentiating – When people
progress in a relationship they sometimes due to other external pressures will
start thinking individually rather than with the partner. They may start
developing hobbies or other endeavors. The relationship will start to fade and
the everlasting bond will be broken. The feeling of dislike is often expressed
by the partners on their commitment.
Example 1 – The boy comes up with idea of
quitting the job and to do something he wanted. The girl rejects the idea with
some reasoning. So a pressure is created inside the relationship.
Example 2 – In business, meetings are crucial to
know the partners stands and other opinions. Due to work pressure, dealers and
other costumers, the meetings are reduced. They start to think more as
individuals than as partners.
2.
Circumscribing – After
differentiating partners will limit their conversations and will set up
boundaries in their communication. Often people will never communicate the
topic fearing an argument. They will have their own personal space and
activities.
Example 1 – The girl started talking more about
the general topics like the food, climate etc. and started avoiding the
conversation on quitting the job. The boy does the same.
Example 2 – In business, the issues regarding
the quality might arise due to the communication gap and the conflicts can lead
to alternative contract units.
3.
Stagnation – The relationship will
decline even more if it reaches the stagnation stage. The communication will be
more limited. The only reason the partners don’t separate is due to children or
other unavoidable reasons. Mostly the relationships in this stage will not
continue or improve.
Example 1 – As the girl found that there is not
much to talk about in general and will remain silent even though they live in
the same house. So there is a serious communication gap between the girl and
the boy.
Example 2 – In business relationships, there
will be a communication gap when one party or both the partners feel neglected
or when they felt insignificant.
4.
Avoidance – At this stage, the
partners intentionally avoid any contacts and they will be physically detached.
They restrict themselves from any forms of communication to avoid a
conversation or an argument.
Example 1 – One day the boy packs his bags and
walks out of the house. By the time the girl would have completely avoided the
boy and will not attempt to stop him.
Example 2 – The stagnation stage will result in
both partners to avoid each other as it affects their fundamental functioning.
5.
Terminating – This is the final
stage of coming apart. The relationship completely terminates. The partners
will take different paths and will go on with their lives. The termination is
not just a subjective decision as a divorce but it can occur naturally when the
people who were living next door move out or when roommates change as the year
ends.
Example 1 – The boy approaches an advocate for a
divorce.
Example 2 – In termination stage the partnership
is broken and will go on with their ventures.
Considerations
Knapp’s RSM proposes that our relationships can move through
these various stages fast or slow, but we will generally experience these
stages in this sequence. Additionally, our relationships may also move both
forward and backward through these stages over time. But what about the
communication? As you’ll notice in Figure 1, each stage includes a description
of what our communication might look like at that time.
For example, if we return to the example of meeting a classmate
for the first time, you would enter the “Initiating” stage as you sit down next
to them and develop an initial first impression while probably introducing
yourself. Your transition into the “Experimenting” stage would be marked by
your choice to begin sharing information like your name, hometown, and college
major.
To build on this example, think about another one of your
current relationships, whether that is with a friend, co-worker, romantic
partner, etc. Can you identify which stage your relationship is in? To do this,
you would likely need to think about what your communication patterns looks
like. How do they match up to the relationship stages outlined in Table 1?
You might be able to clearly identify your current
“relationship stage” based on the KRSM, but it may also be difficult,
especially if your current relationship communication patterns fit into a few
different stages. And that is okay! The main idea is that the KRSM provides a
general “model” that helps us understand:
1) the common stages that our relationships move through and
most importantly,
2) how our communication patterns will likely change as our
relationships develop.
But do changes in our relationships create
changes in our communication? Or do changes in our communication create
changes in our relationships? These are difficult questions to definitively
answer, but great to think about.
Strengths Of Knapp’s Relationship Model
One of the most important strengths that Knapp’s
relationship model provides is a comprehensive understanding of how
relationships progress and develop.
Knapp’s relationship model provides individuals with a
comprehensive guide to understanding their own relationships and gaining
insight into their different stages.
It offers clarity and invaluable knowledge for anyone
looking to deepen their self-awareness about what they are
experiencing in life.
This model can be used in various relationships, such as
romantic involvements, friendships, and family ties. With the understanding it
provides, people can make better choices and adopt wiser behaviors that will
lead to more solid bonds.
While the model describes a linear progression of stages, it
acknowledges that relationships can move between or skip stages. Such
flexibility makes it adaptable to real-life relationships’ complex and dynamic
nature.
Importantly, Knapp’s model also emphasizes the importance of
communication in relationships, particularly in the later stages.
By understanding the different communication patterns
characteristic of each stage, individuals can communicate more effectively and
build stronger relationships.
Weaknesses Of Knapp’s Relationship Model
Although Knapp’s relationship model is a useful tool for
comprehending the phases of any relationship, it
does have some disadvantages, such as oversimplifying human
relationships and overlooking individual uniqueness and cultural discrepancies.
The model is a generalized representation of relationships
and does not account for the nuances and complexities of any individual
relationship. This simplification can limit its effectiveness in truly
understanding and analyzing a relationship.
Moreover, Knapp’s theory does not incorporate the distinct
ideas and differences people have about relationships.
Everyone has their own perception of a healthy connection,
which can bring forth different interpretations when understanding this model.
Finally, Knapp’s model does not address cultural issues,
which can contribute to the development and dynamics of any relationship.
Cultural norms, values, and expectations all impact how
people interact with each other and the relationship they form.
Sources and Additional Information:
https://www.communicationtheory.org/knapps-relationship-model/
https://helpfulprofessor.com/knapps-relationship-model/
