Dialectic approach considers the relationship between intimate partners as progress and contradiction. These contradictions are conceptualized as dialectics.Intimate partners are the focus of intimate relationships. According to Baxter (1993), Baxter and Montgomery (1996), Montgomery and Baxter (1998) and Baxter and Braithwaite (2008), relational dialectics theory focuses on communication dynamics of the relationship and each relationship consists of innate contradictions. Relational dialectics theory explains intimate relationships as the continuous manifestation of new dialectics by the interactions of two different parties, and organization of the relationship by these dynamics. Intimate relationships are communal relationships.

In an intimate relationship, each individual improves the welfare of another person. By their nature, human beings want to achieve satisfaction in their relationships and this is often closely related to the need of being loved and approved. A sound relationship with one?s family, friends, colleagues, etc., is the root of communication goals of a person and it also influences that person?s other relationships. Communication has a key role in starting, maintaining and mending a relationship. AAI9609433.Int?mate relationships constitute the most important interpersonal communication area in people?s lives. ETD collection for University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Pawlowski, Donna R, 'Dialectical tensions in marital couples' accounts of their relationships' (1995). Subject AreaĬommunication|Families & family life|Personal relationships|Sociology Recommended Citation Overall, the findings suggested that dialectical tensions were prevalent in relationships and may be an important component in understanding the maintenance and changes in marital relationships. Thus, wives were more concerned with establishing external networks than were husbands.

Results also showed that inclusion-seclusion and revealment-concealment were more important for wives than husbands. This finding indicated that the competing forces to self-disclose and remain discrete may not be a topic of frequent discussion, but is perceived as being vitally important. Couples perceived openness-closedness as the most important tension however, this tension was not frequently mentioned in the couples' accounts. One key finding was that the tension of autonomy-connection was the most frequently experienced contradiction this result suggested that individuals often struggle with the need to be with their partner and the need to be by themselves. Transcripted data were coded in terms of the six dialectical tensions. Couples also completed an instrument identifying the importance of tensions at three relational points. Three research questions are specifically addressed: (1) Do married couples identify the six tensions proposed by Baxter-autonomy-connection, predictability-novelty, openness-closedness, inclusion-seclusion, conventionality-uniqueness, and revelation-concealment? (2) Do married couples identify different tensions at the different relational points? and (3) Which of the six tensions do couples perceive as most important at different relational points? To address these questions, fifteen couples were interviewed about their relationships. The present study identifies contradictions in married couples accounts' of their relationships and assesses couples' perceptions of the importance of tensions.

Past dialectical studies are problematic as they neglect to include both couples' accounts of the relationship, and they fail to distinguish between the frequency and importance of the tensions. Predictability-novelty, for instance, is an example of a tension manifested by partners simultaneously desiring predictability and spontaneity in their relationships. Dialectical tensions in marital couples' accounts of their relationshipsĭonna R Pawlowski, University of Nebraska - Lincolnĭialectical tensions, defined as opposing forces that people experience in their relationships, are important for relational development.

Dialectic relation