Relationship Essay

You will submit a paper analyzing the process and content of either one or two relationships in your life, using as many terms and concepts from the text and lecture notes as you can. If you write about two relationships, you will need to compare and contrast the experience you had with each person.  The paper should be typed, double-spaced, and no fewer than four full and no more than six pages. THESE PAPERS MUST BE IN ESSAY FORM and conform to the conventions of English grammar and usage.

Consider any of the following questions as potential issues to examine:

1)  How did this relationship begin?  Describe the process of relationship development, using the Knapp model of stages of relationships.

2)  Has the relationship experienced deterioration?  Describe and discuss.

3)  Discuss the role played by self-disclosure in the relationship

4)  Discuss the role by your self-concept and the process of perception in your relationship.  How have misunderstandings arisen?  How have they been resolved?

5)  Discuss the use of words/verbal language in the relationship.  Have there been instances of ambiguity or an excess of you language that you can recall?

6)  Discuss the use of nonverbal communication in the relationship.  How have body language, vocal tone, time, clothing, and distance/space played a role in the relationship?

7) Discuss how listening has played a part in the success and/or failure in the relationship.  What style of listening is used most often in the relationship?  How can the listening process be improved?

8)  If the relationship in ongoing, what do you see for the future?  Does the relationship require a significant amount of maintenance or repair?  What would be required for the relationship to terminate?

9)  How have the concepts of power and control played out in the relationships?  Who is the more dominant party you, or the other party?  Why?  Is there a significant amount of power inequity?  If so, what would be required for the power structure to be more equally balanced?

10) What theory of relationship development and/or deterioration most closely characterizes this relationship attraction, reinforcements, social exchange, or equity?

11)  How is conflict managed in the relationship?  What cultural and gender differences exist in the relationships, in terms of expectations, communication patterns, and conflict management?

For romantic relationships: What category of love is most approximated eros, agape, philos, storge, ludus, pragma, or mania?  What is your love language and that of your partner?
For friendship relationships: By what type of friendship is this relationship characterized?  Have gender or cultural issues played a role in this friendship?  Describe any issues raised in pgs. 326-332 of Adler/Proctor which have any bearing on this friendship relationship.
If this is a family member, discuss the communication pattern that most closely describes the relationship. Describe any issues raised in pgs. 319-326 of Adler/Proctor which have any bearing on this family relationship.