Activities

1. To enrich your understanding of the chapter, check out:

   LearningCurve for adaptive quizzing for the chapter.

   The “Browse Resources for this Unit” tab to view videos illustrating key concepts.

2. Question

   List one family relationship, one friendship, and one romantic relationship in which you are or have been involved. For each of these relationships, list at least five self-disclosures you made to those individuals, and describe how each revelation advanced relational intimacy. Now list at least five self-disclosures you wish you had not made to each of these individuals. Did these inappropriate self-disclosures increase or decrease your intimacy? Reflect on these lists as you self-disclose in future relationships.

   List one family relationship, one friendship, and one romantic relationship in which you are or have been involved. For each of these relationships, list at least five self-disclosures you made to those individuals, and describe how each revelation advanced relational intimacy. Now list at least five self-disclosures you wish you had not made to each of these individuals. Did these inappropriate self-disclosures increase or decrease your intimacy? Reflect on these lists as you self-disclose in future relationships.

3. Question

   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?

4. Question

   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.

5. Question

   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.

   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.