Describe Knapp’s stage model of relationship development and identify and define the five steps leading up to commitment

Question

Please provide the best answer for the best statement.

Answer 1

Answer: Knapp’s stage model is a communication model because it explores how individuals’ communication practices affect relationship development and decline. For example, the stage known as circumscribing is identified by the fact that couples’ conversations focus mostly on “safe” topics, such as household tasks, whereas experimenting is defined by couples’ communication efforts to learn more about one another. This stage model assumes one can determine what stage a couple is in by observing what the two people say and do. Knapp’s stage model conceptualizes relationship development as a staircase. The staircase depicts relationship development as being composed of five steps that lead upward toward commitment: initiating, experimenting, intensifying, integrating, and bonding.Initiating is the stageof romantic relational development in which both people behave so as to appear pleasant and likeable. Experimenting is the stage of romantic relational development in which both people seek to learn about each other. Intensifying is the stage of romantic relational development in which both people seek to increase intimacy and connectedness. Integrating is the stage of romantic relational development in which both people portray themselves as a couple. Bonding is the stage of romantic relational development characterized by public commitment.