210 Part 2 Interpersonal Communication
self-disclosures increase or decrease your intimacy? Reflect on these lists as you
self-disclose in future relationships.- Consider a romantic relationship that has ended. Using the stages outlined in
this chapter, create a time line of the relationship. Include significant turning
points that encouraged the relationship to move into another stage as well as any
stages that may have been skipped. Reflect on your level of satisfaction at each
stage, and note any changes you would have made at that point. If any stages
were omitted from the time line, reflect on why. Based on your experiences
in this relationship, did you or will you communicate differently with later
romantic partners? - As a new romantic relationship begins, keep a journal of the communication
events that occur. In this journal, indicate the stage you perceive the relationship
to be in (based on the stages in this chapter). List key communication events
that increase or decrease attachment in the relationship. Reflect on and include
in your journal your level of satisfaction with the relationship and if and how
you would like the relationship to proceed. - In small groups in your class, discuss how popular culture and films portray
interpersonal relationships, considering specifically relationship stages. Discuss
communication techniques that the characters might have used to produce
different relationship outcomes. Analyze how accurately the communication
behaviors of the characters themselves and those they use in their relationships
reflect real-life communication episodes.