The first 3 Relationship Stages

Contact

According to Devito the first stage of a relationship is where the people become aware of one of one another's existence. This may be very brief and very distant. It may be formal, as in a job relationship or more informal, such as seeing a person on a train.

Perceptual- That moment when you first notice someone visually. You may or may not see each other a the same time. Just think of when you check out someone that you think is super sexy.

Interactional- Contact is usually brief and no personal information is exchanged. If you're lucky that sexy crush of yours will say hi to you each day they see you.

Initial Assessment- We all do it out of nature, judging a book by its cover.
You quickly make some assessment of a person, categorize them, and base your interaction with them based on how you categorize them. For example, you may categorize a boring professor differently from how you would categorize a hilarious classmate.

Involvement

You are now awkward friends/acquaintances and are slowly making a small bond.

Mutuality- It's not just a hello when passing through the halls anymore, you actually interact more with that person and may develop have certain feelings associated to instances when you see them.

Testing- Remember those personal pieces of your life you wouldn't exchange? Devito says that you may start to contemplate whether or not you want to become intimate with that person and that you test that person to determine so, "Tests may first be around the level of involvement at this stage that the other person is seeking, and then whether they want to move to the more intimately engaged next stage. Typically this asks them to do something that demonstrates whether they are ready to move to the next stage."

Intimacy

Ever been in a deep committed relationship? Well now you are! This is as deep as it gets.

Personal commitment- Time builds a great connection that courses through your veins or your brain, it depends. If the feelings are mutual, you're all good, but look out for unrequited love. Even Shakespeare got bit by the love bug.

Interpersonal Commitment- Him: I love you baby. Her: I love you too sweetheart!. Both parties express their affections for one another.  But, love isn't always the case, Him: I love you as a friend Her: I was thinking the same thing Them: Friends Forever!

Social Bonding- In the words of Devito, "Beyond the personal and interpersonal levels, communicating the depth of their relationships to others makes it more difficult for either to back out. This may include a formal ceremony, from signing joint declarations to marriage.no one likes to be stuck in a boring relationship, Will things always be fun?

Social bonding demonstrates to one another their longer-term commitment and should strengthen the relationship. Having formalized the arrangement. any dissolution will also need a formal process."

Anxiety- No relationship is perfect!

     ~ Security Anxiety no one likes yo be dumped, at least not for someone else!

     ~Fulfillment Anxiety keeping that connection.

     ~Excitement Anxiety


Sorry About the information OVERLOAD! Jameliah J. Over and out!