Knapp’s Ten Relational Stages

* A detailed breakdown of the ten stages of relational development can be found on pgs. 272-278 of the twelfth edition of our text. (If you have a different edition, please search your index to locate this information.)
Communication theorists believe romantic relationships and close friendships occur in distinct stages. For instance, Mark Knapp (2003) suggests that all close friends and couples experience a “coming together process,” and those who do not take careful steps to maintain their relationship undergo a “coming apart” process.
Using Knapp’s developmental model, describe how a close friendship or romantic relationship in your past fits all of the ten stages of the relationship cycle. If you were the primary reason for the relationship’s dissolution, outline some of the steps you could have taken to prevent the relationship from ending. If, on the other hand, your friend or romantic partner should shoulder the blame, what future precautions will you take to ensure that you do not date or befriend individuals who either cannot meet your needs, or who are not as committed to relational success as you are?
The structure of your homework should be as follows:
1. Identify the nature of the relationship to be described (i.e., friendship or romance).
2.Describe Knapp’s stages within the context of your relationship and what occurred during each.
3.Depending on your particular situation, discuss how you could have prevented the relationship from ending, and/or how you will choose more appropriate friends or really romantic partners in the future.