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Com 421 Group Presentation Outline

Relational dialectical theory examines the normal tensions that exist within relationships. These tensions, or contradictions, include autonomy-connectedness, novelty-predictability, and openness-closedness. They arise from opposing needs and desires, such as the need for both independence and intimacy. The theory posits that these contradictions are key to understanding relationships and are resolved through open communication between parties. There are four phases in relationships according to this theory: autonomy to connection, autonomy and connection, autonomy-connection synthesis, and connection to autonomy.

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38 views

Com 421 Group Presentation Outline

Relational dialectical theory examines the normal tensions that exist within relationships. These tensions, or contradictions, include autonomy-connectedness, novelty-predictability, and openness-closedness. They arise from opposing needs and desires, such as the need for both independence and intimacy. The theory posits that these contradictions are key to understanding relationships and are resolved through open communication between parties. There are four phases in relationships according to this theory: autonomy to connection, autonomy and connection, autonomy-connection synthesis, and connection to autonomy.

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What is relational dialectical theory?

Dialectics can be defined by “The founder of dialectical theory” Leslie Baxter & Barbara
Montgomery as: Dialectics are described as the tensions an individual feels when experiencing
paradoxical desires that we need and/ or want.

RDT: The theory can be defined as tensions or contradictions within a relationship. These
tensions are normal in a relationship and they assist in developing, prolonging, sustaining and
improving relationships.

This theory is not just limited to one type of relationship, but all forms of relationships. Whether
it is something like: intimate, or a friendship, workplace relations, etc…

The theory focuses on contradictions. These contradictions are key in understanding and having
a healthy relationship. Without these contradictions, good and clear communication from the
parties involved in the relationship is not present.

What are the contradictions?


There are many that can be listed, but the main and most prevalent ones within each form of a
relationship are:

Autonomy-Connectedness
● Family.Jrank.Org says: “the tension experienced due to the pull between wanting to
connect as a partner and wanting to preserve an independent identity.”
● This is the principal contradiction in relationships
● Our reading for this topic A Dialectical Perspective on Communication Strategies in
Relationship Development by Leslie Baxter says:“No relationship can exist by definition
unless the parties sacrifice some individual autonomy”(p. 258).
● Too much autonomy destroys an individual identity because the connection they have
with others is a big part of someone's identity
Novelty-Predictability
● Pressbook Publications says: The idea that we “desire predictability as well as
spontaneity in our relationships.
● Our reading for this topic A Dialectical Perspective on Communication Strategies in
Relationship Development by Leslie Baxter says:“In short, relationships require both
novelty and predictability, leaving relationship parties a challenging dilemma with which
to cope” (p. 259).
Openness-Closedness
● Pressbook publications says:“the desire to be open and honest with others while at the
same time not wanting to reveal everything about yourself to someone else”
● Our reading for this topic A Dialectical Perspective on Communication Strategies in
Relationship Development by Leslie Baxter says: Open disclosure between the
relationship parties is a necessary condition for intimacy, but openness creates
vulnerabilities either for oneself, the other, or the relationship that necessitate information
closedness” (p. 260).

Some other “runner up” dialectics found in multiple scholar articles like: “Ethics and relational
dialectics in mentoring relationships” are: Stability-Change, Expression-Privacy, and
Integration-Separation.

These three also apply to RDT directly. However the article reference dives more into the ethical
aspects and issues of relational dialectics. They establish the impact within mentoring
relationships and therefore make the dialectics more niche to the broader theory at hand.

While we will be focusing on these contradictions it is also important to introduce the four
phases / stages of RDT. Matt and Logan will be elaborating on them further in the presentation.
The four phases are:

● Autonomy to connection
● Autonomy and connection
● Autonomy-Connection Synthesis
● Connection to Autonomy

https://psycnet.apa.org/doiLanding?doi=10.1037%2Ftep0000166

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bility%20is%20the%20idea,other%20person%20in%20the%20relationship

https://pressbooks.pub/spc101rev3/chapter/relationship-dialectics/#:~:text=Openness%2DClosed
ness%20refers%20to%20”the,is%20a%20normal%20human%20need

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