1. Ch 9: Interpersonal Relationships
 Stages
 Theories
 Communication

2. Theories
Attraction
Rules
Relationship dialectics
Social penetration
Social Exchange
Equity

3. Attraction theory
Major factors influence
“Attraction”
• Similarity
• Proximity
• Reinforcement
• Attractiveness: Physical &
Personality
• Status
• Reciprocity

4. Rules Theory
 Relationships are governed by rules.
 When these are broken, the relationship
experiences deterioration and possible
dissolution.
◦ Friendship
◦ Romantic
◦ Family

5. Relationship Dialectics theory
 In any relationship, there are natural
ongoing tensions within certain areas:
◦ Closedness vs openness
◦ Autonomy vs connection
◦ Novelty vs predictability

6. Closedness
Openness

7. Connection
Autonomy

8. Predictability
Novelty

9. Social Penetration Theory
 As you progress in developing a
relationship, social penetration is likely to
increase.
 As intimacy increases, breadth and depth
of conversations increase.

10. Breadth
Topic Topic
one two
Topic
three

11. Depth
Very
personal
Less
personal
Not
personal

12. Depth
Intimate
Involvement
Contact

13. Social Penetration Theory
 This theory works in reverse as well.
What does that mean?

14. Social Exchange
 Social Exchange: we develop social
relationships that allow us to maximize
“profit”
◦ Comparison level
◦ Comparison level for alternatives

15. Equity theory
 Similar to Social Exchange
 We develop and maintain relationships
that seem “equal” – our ratio of rewards
to costs is equal to the other’s.

16. Theories
Attraction
Rules
Relationship dialectics
Social penetration
Social Exchange
Equity