Relational Dialectics Theory Paper

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A Look into Relational Dialectics Theory
Interpreting Conflict in the College Setting
Ryan O’Donnell
Interpersonal Communication 20113 *This paper is in MLA Format
A look into Relational Dialectics Theory
Interpreting Conflict in the College Setting Relational Dialectics Theory (RDT) is a theory that was created by Leslie Baxter, a research director from the University of Iowa, and Barbara Montgomery, former Provost and VP for Academic Affairs at Colorado State in 1996 (Griffin, Ledbetter, & Sparks, 2014). RDT defines what dialectical tensions are and where they can be found in certain interpersonal relationships (Schrodt 2015). Afterwards, RDT summarizes and explains the various ways in which people react to dialectical tensions …show more content…
predictability (Schrodt 2015). This tension became evident during the friends senior year before graduation. Jenifer and Ashley were presented with the tension of novelty when Ashley stated, “ it definitely is going to be strange without you” (Dindia ). This dialogue shows that although there desire for spontaneity was reached with their lives taking different paths, they still are scared about loosing secure behavioral patterns (Schrodt, 2015). Through this tension they were able to use the compromise method in order to deal with the separation. When Ashley stated, “ I promise to write and call often” (Dindia, 2000) this statement shows how the two were able to come to a compromise in order to combat the strange feeling of separation that the two are feeling. By finding a way to compromise for there parting the two effectively showed how RDT can again be used to fix broken ties in a …show more content…
In every conflict that arose different characteristics of the theory, dialogue, tensions and responses were seen. If one was to read this case study without knowledge of RDT they might believe that Ashley was ignorant, and a bad friend for ignoring and ditching Jennifer any time a conflict ascended. However once looking at the study through RDT one can see that both friends are responsible for the conflicts that arose. Although Ashley’s responses to these conflicts were impulsive and sometimes extreme, Jennifer became suffocating and reacted based off of impulse instead of thinking her actions through. Her failure to grasp the opposing forces of the dialectical tensions would be hard for anyone to
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