Term | Definition |
attraction theory | a theory that explains the primary forces that draw people together |
proxmity | how physically close one is to others |
attractiveness | the appeal one person has for another, based on physical appearance, personalities, and/or behavior |
matching hypothesis | the tendency to develop relationships with people who are approximately as attractive as we are |
similarity | degree to which people share the same values, interests, and background |
social penetration theory | a theory that proposes that relationships develop through increases in self-disclosure |
uncertainty reduction theory | a theory that argues relationship development is facilitated or derailed by participants' efforts to reduce their uncertainty about each other |
predicted outcome | a theory that attempts to explain how reducing uncertainty can lead to attraction or repulsion |
Knapp's stage model | model of relationship development that views relationships as occurring in "stages" and that focuses on how people communicate as relationships develop and decline |
initiating | stage of romantic relational development in which both people behave so as to appear pleasant and likeable |
experimenting | stage of romantic relational development in which both people seek to learn about each other |
intensifying | stage of romantic relational development in which both people seek to increase intimacy and connectedness |
integrating | stage of romantic relational development in which both people portray themselves as a couple |
bonding | stage of romantic relational development characterized by public commitment |
differentiating | stage of romantic relational dissolution in which couples increase their interpersonal distance |
circumscribing | stage of romantic relational dissolution in which couples discuss safe topics |
stagnating | stage of romantic relational dissolution in which couples try to prevent change |
avoiding | stage of romantic relational dissolution in which couples try to interact with each other |
terminating | stage of romantic relational dissolution in which couples end the relationship |
relational trajectory models | relationship development models that view relationship development as more variable than do stage models |
turning point model | a model of relationship development in which couples move both toward and away from commitment over the course of their relationship |
relational maintenance | behaviors that couples perform that help maintain their relationships |
passing away | the process by which relationships decline over time |
sudden death | the process by which relationships end without prior warning for at least one participant |
withdrawal / avoidance | a friendship termination strategy in which friends spend less time together, don't return phone calls, and avoid places where they are likely to see each other |
Machiavellian tactics | having a third party convey one's unhappiness about a relationship |
deception | concealment, distortion, or lying in communication |
truth bias | the tendency to not suspect one's intimates of deception |
jealousy | a complex and often painful emotion that occurs when a person perceives a threat to an existing relationship |
interpersonal violence | physical violence against a partner or child |
sexual coercion | physically nonviolent pressure to engage in unwanted sex |
homogeneity | a high degree of similarity |
hurtful messages | messages that criticize, tease, reject, or otherwise cause an emotional injury to another |