Discuss the strategies to maintain dialectical tension.

What will be an ideal response?


A dialectic is a tension between conflicting forces. Relational dialectics are the competing psychological tensions that exist in any relationship. How these tensions are dealt with can alter the stage and life cycle of a relationship.
I. Temporal selection: This is the strategy of choosing one desire and ignoring the other for the time being. Partners may realize that they have spent too much time apart lately (autonomy), so they make a conscious decision to pursue connection.
II. Topical segmentation: This is the strategy of choosing certain topics to satisfy one desire and other topics to satisfy the opposite desire.
III. Neutralization: This is the strategy of compromising between the desires of one person and the desires of the other. Neutralization partially meets the needs of both people but does not fully meet the needs of either.
IV. Reframing: This is the strategy of changing one’s perception about the level of tension. After reframing, the opposing desires no longer seem quite so contradictory.
In most cases when you are developing, maintaining, or trying or repair a deteriorating relationship, it helps to openly talk with your partner about the tensions you are feeling and come to an agreement about how you will manage the dialectic going forward. Sometimes however, partners will be unable to resolve the tensions. In these instances, the relationship may deteriorate or end.

Communication & Mass Media

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