Sunday, April 21, 2024

10 Stages of the Knapp’s Relationship Model

 

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://socialsci.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Communication/Introduction_to_Communication/Communicating_to_Connect_-_Interpersonal_Communication_for_Today_(Usera)/10%3A_Theories_of_Relational_Communication/10.01%3A_Relationship_Development

https://helpfulprofessor.com/knapps-relationship-model/