Introduction
An interpersonal relationship is an interaction between two or more people from varied backgrounds and different situations. It develops between individuals who share common goals and interests. Establishing an effective interpersonal relationship depends on stages characterized by specific messages and communication patterns.
These stages include contact, involvement, intimacy, repair, deterioration, and dissolution. Trust and respect are required between partners to avoid conflicts and misunderstandings. Understanding communication patterns, analyzing past experiences, and communicating uniquely are essential for comprehending the stages of establishing and maintaining strong interpersonal relationships.
Stages
Contact Stage
This is the initial stage of forming interpersonal relationships that involve initial perception and interaction with others. Two individuals start a relationship as strangers who later get to know each other better, become emotionally attached, and develop a lasting commitment (Stanley & Markman, 2020). Conversely, people might start their relationship well but face problems and fail to reach the other stages. DeVito (2019) suggests that the contact stage involves exchanging preliminary information and initiating communication.
During this stage, an individual engages in perceptual and interactional contact. In my past relationship, the contact stage was evident when I met my partner for the first time at a social gathering. We engaged in a superficial and invitational conversation, introduced ourselves, and exchanged basic information. Verbal and nonverbal behaviors were essential in establishing a favorable impression and revealing personal qualities.
We expressed interest in getting to know each other more. Physical appearance was essential at this stage since it made me decide to pursue the relationship. My partner was beautiful, with a cute smile that attracted me to her. Personal qualities of warmth, friendliness, and openness to my partner were revealed during this stage.
Involvement Stage
This second stage is characterized by an intense desire to learn more about the other person and create a sense of mutuality. In this phase, individuals are no longer strangers and trust each other. The involvement stage is when the relationship grows; it is a phase of testing and exploration where people try to determine if their preliminary judgments have been accurate (DeVito, 2019). Individuals should be compatible for the relationship to last long.
In my relationship, this level was marked by symbolic interaction and a growing curiosity about each other’s lives. We asked questions about hobbies, work, and personal interests to deepen our understanding. My initial judgments of my partner were right since they were friendly and kind. We tended to gel with each other since we shared interests and backgrounds. I wished to know her better; thus, I followed her on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook. I wrote affectionate messages to her through Facebook and flirted with her.
Intimacy Stage
The intimacy stage represents a dedication to deepen a commitment to an emotional connection with another person. At this stage, the relationship blossoms into a lasting commitment. It involves sharing social networks, increasing the quantity and quality of interpersonal exchanges, and speaking in greater detail about the relationship (DeVito, 2019). In my relationship, intimacy was evident when we shared our deepest thoughts, fears, and aspirations. We have become each other’s closest confidants, and our conversation has become extra open, sincere, and vulnerable. Trust and transparency were essential for the success of our relationship since we shared deep secrets.
The intimacy stage is further divided into interpersonal commitment and social bonding. Interpersonal commitment indicates a private commitment between individuals involved. In this stage, the relationship becomes unique, and each partner acknowledges their dedication to the other (DeVito, 2019). In my relationship, this stage was characterized by private discussions on our future together and the decision to build a life as a couple.
The messages we shared emphasized the importance of the relationship and the willingness to invest in its growth and development. The social bonding stage represents the public acknowledgment of the dedication. This could include sharing the connection on social media platforms and introducing each other to friends and family. In my relationship, we made our dedication public via a Facebook post and introduced each other to our respective social circles. The messages in this stage communicated our intention to integrate the relationship into the social fabric and establish a shared identity as a couple.
Deterioration Stage
Not all relationships pass through this stage since it involves weakening friendship bonds. Individuals who pass through this stage lack compatibility, love, and trust, and have misunderstandings. Some might find it hard to adjust to each other and decide to end the relationship. Compromise is essential to every relationship (Shimshock & Le, 2022). People failing to compromise with each other may find it difficult to take the relationship to the next level.
In my relationship, we experienced this stage since we had intrapersonal dissatisfaction. We began experiencing personal dissatisfaction with daily interactions and could view the future with my partner more negatively. Further dissatisfaction led to more withdrawal; we parted ways and became strangers.
Conclusion
Interpersonal relationships progress through different stages, each with its own variety of messages and conversation patterns. The contact stage initiates interaction, and the involvement stage entails mutual exploration. The intimacy stage deepens the emotional connection, leading to the interpersonal commitment and social bonding phase. Analyzing a past relationship through these stages provides many insights into the evolution of interpersonal relationships and the significance of effective messages in establishing and preserving connections with others.
References
DeVito, J. A. (2019). Essentials of human communication (10th ed.). Pearson.
Shimshock, C. J., & Le, B. M. (2022). Having the will, finding the ways, and wishes for the future: A model of relational hope and well-being. Social and Personality Psychology Compass, 16(8), e12697. Web.
Stanley, S. M., & Markman, H. J. (2020). Helping couples in the shadow of COVID-19. Family Process, 59(3), 937–955. Web.