{"id":258,"date":"2026-01-09T08:34:40","date_gmt":"2026-01-09T08:34:40","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/localhost\/interpersonalcomm\/?post_type=content&#038;p=258"},"modified":"2026-03-03T08:08:47","modified_gmt":"2026-03-03T08:08:47","slug":"chapter-8","status":"publish","type":"content","link":"https:\/\/staging.routledgelearning.com\/interpersonalcomm\/chapter-resources\/chapter-8\/","title":{"rendered":"<span>Chapter 8:<\/span> Intimacy and Interpersonal Communication"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-b084daf530bce242730feeac4478cd76 has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"background-color:#627058;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--60)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><div class=\"aioseo-breadcrumbs\"><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/staging.routledgelearning.com\/interpersonalcomm\" title=\"Home\">Home<\/a>\n<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">\u203a<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t<a href=\"https:\/\/staging.routledgelearning.com\/interpersonalcomm\/chapter-resources\/\" title=\"Chapter Resources\">Chapter Resources<\/a>\n<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb-separator\">\u203a<\/span><span class=\"aioseo-breadcrumb\">\n\t<span>Chapter 8:<\/span> Intimacy and Interpersonal Communication\n<\/span><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\"><h2 style=\"font-style:normal;font-weight:600;\" class=\"alignwide wp-block-post-title has-large-font-size\"><span>Chapter 8:<\/span> Intimacy and Interpersonal Communication<\/h2>\n\n\n<p>Intimate relationships are enacted and maintained through interpersonal communication. There are several components of intimacy, ways of experiencing love, and features of romantic love which add to the complexity of intimate relationships. Individuals enact an array of strategies to maintain their relationship, cope with tensions inherent within them, and sometimes deal with major transgressions like infidelity. People also differ in their attitudes about close relationships, based on their childhood experiences, or their priorities for relationships, based on where they are in the lifespan. After examining the nature of intimacy, the role of communication in intimate relationships, and how attachment style and age shape close relationships, this chapter offers recommendations for effective communication in close relationships.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group alignwide is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-columns is-layout-flex wp-container-core-columns-is-layout-28f84493 wp-block-columns-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-column is-layout-flow wp-block-column-is-layout-flow\" style=\"flex-basis:66.66%\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/icon_HDYR.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-45\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:4px;border-top-right-radius:4px;border-bottom-left-radius:4px;border-bottom-right-radius:4px;width:40px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/icon_HDYR.jpg 200w, https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/icon_HDYR-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-how-do-you-rate-15\">How Do You Rate?<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fse-isr-plus-2025-flat-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/HDYR-chapter8.zip\" style=\"background-color:#e4bca3;padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Download all <em>How Do You Rate?<\/em> assessment forms (zip 69KB)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-hdyr-scale-8-1-how-much-love-do-you-feel-13\">HDYR Scale 8.1: How much love do you feel?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ef310a45 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#f1f5f6;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-color has-black-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-63d087b9115e26ed61ae3c53bc50bdd8 has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-50bd6d79 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:-25px;margin-bottom:-25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-extra-small-font-size\" id=\"aioseo-multiple-choice\">Questionnaire<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#d5e3fa;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">The content for this section has not been posted yet and is coming soon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-hdyr-scale-8-2-strategies-for-maintaining-intimate-relationships-19\">HDYR Scale 8.2: Strategies for Maintaining Intimate Relationships<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background is-vertical is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-ef310a45 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\" style=\"background-color:#f1f5f6;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--70)\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-base-color has-black-background-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-elements-63d087b9115e26ed61ae3c53bc50bdd8 has-global-padding is-layout-constrained wp-container-core-group-is-layout-50bd6d79 wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\" style=\"margin-top:-25px;margin-bottom:-25px;padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--20);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading has-extra-small-font-size\" id=\"aioseo-multiple-choice\">Questionnaire<\/h3>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\" style=\"margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--50)\">\n<p class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#d5e3fa;margin-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);margin-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-top:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-bottom:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40);padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--40)\">The content for this section has not been posted yet and is coming soon.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/icon_CIA.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:4px;border-top-right-radius:4px;border-bottom-left-radius:4px;border-bottom-right-radius:4px;width:40px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/icon_CIA.jpg 200w, https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/icon_CIA-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-communication-in-action-27\">Communication In Action<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-buttons is-layout-flex wp-block-buttons-is-layout-flex\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-button is-style-fse-isr-plus-2025-flat-button\"><a class=\"wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-text-color has-background has-link-color wp-element-button\" href=\"https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/CIA-chapter8.zip\" style=\"background-color:#e4bca3;padding-top:0;padding-right:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30);padding-bottom:0;padding-left:var(--wp--preset--spacing--30)\">Download all <em>Communication in Action<\/em> forms (zip 127KB)<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/CIA-08-1.docx\" title=\"CIA-08-1\">Download CIA Form 8.1: <em>Love Styles in the Songs of Taylor Swift<\/em> (docx 43KB)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/CIA-08-2.docx\" title=\"CIA-08-2\">Download CIA Form 8.2: <em>Filling Gaps in Intimate Relationships<\/em> (docx 28KB)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/CIA-08-3.docx\" title=\"CIA-08-3\">Download CIA Form 8.3: <em>Making Relational Maintenance Part of the Routine<\/em> (docx 26KB)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/CIA-08-4.docx\" title=\"CIA-08-4\">Download CIA Form 8.4: <em>Coping with Relational Dialectics<\/em> (docx 27KB)<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/CIA-08-5.docx\" title=\"CIA-08-5\">Download CIA Form 8.5: <em>Assessing the Pros and Cons of Attachment Styles<\/em> (docx 26KB)<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"200\" height=\"200\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/icon_CWT.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-47\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:4px;border-top-right-radius:4px;border-bottom-left-radius:4px;border-bottom-right-radius:4px;width:40px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/icon_CWT.jpg 200w, https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/icon_CWT-150x150.jpg 150w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 200px) 100vw, 200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-connect-with-theory-19\">Connect with Theory<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>Connect with Theory 8.1: Theory of Resilience and Relational Load<\/strong><\/summary>\n<p>The <strong>theory of resilience and relational load<\/strong> (TRRL) offers a perspective on how every day, routine, and active investment in relationships can have significant and far-reaching benefits on&nbsp; the quality and functioning of the relationship, as well as individuals\u2019 health, emotional and mental well-being, and their ability to constructively cope with or even thrive under stress in personal and relational life. Stress presents challenges and often contributes to the deterioration of a relationship because it depletes individuals\u2019 cognitive and emotional resources, making it more difficult for them to behave in kind, affectionate, and relationship-affirming ways. When couples respond negatively to their stress by blaming, criticizing, or avoiding their partner, it hinders their ability to support and help each other through stress and to strengthen their bond; instead, couples find themselves trapped in a negative cycle where stress reduces their investments in relationship maintenance, which further exacerbates the negative impact of stress and gradually contributes to a sense of burnout in the relationship\u2014a phenomenon labeled as <em>relational load<\/em> in the TRRL. The theory proposes that in order to combat the wearing away of a relationship due to chronic stress and conflict, partners need to actively invest in relationship maintenance behaviors during normal times. When relational partners and family members regularly feel validated and supported, they build up their emotional reserves, <em>or emotional capital<\/em>, which helps partners better able to appraise their stress from a more positive mindset and even prevent unhealth levels of stress to develop in the first place. TRRL further argues that <em>communal orientation<\/em>, or a tendency to embrace a sense of unity and shared identity in face of stress, is beneficial for couples because it motivates partners to invest in their relationship and engage in more constructive communication patterns. Prolonged, consistent relationship maintenance and communal orientation foster a relationship environment where partners help each other minimize the negative effects of stress and achieve personal growth, contributing to the <em>resilience<\/em> for each partner as well as their relational bond. Propositions of the theory have received empirical support in various contexts, such as in couples managing financial hardship (Afifi et al., 2020), romantic partners coping with different voting patterns during the 2016 presidential election (Afifi et al., 2019), and interracial couples experiencing racial stigma from friends and family (Haughton &amp; Afifi, 2020)&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>References and other suggested readings:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Afifi, T. D., Harrison, K., Zamanzadeh, N., &amp; Acevedo Callejas, M. (2020). Testing the theory of resilience and relational load in dual career families: Relationship maintenance as stress management. <em>Journal of Applied Communication Research, 48<\/em>(1), 5\u201325. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/00909882.2019.1706097\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/00909882.2019.1706097<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Afifi, T. D., Haughton, C., &amp; Parrish, C. (2021). Relational load: Implications for executive functioning, mental health, and feelings of unity in romantic relationships. <em>Communication Monographs, 88<\/em>(4), 506\u2013529. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/03637751.2021.1896015\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/03637751.2021.1896015<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Afifi, T. D., Merrill, A. F., &amp; Davis, S. (2016). The theory of resilience and relational load. <em>Personal Relationships, 23<\/em>(4), 663\u2013683. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/pere.12159\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/pere.12159<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Afifi, T. D., Zamanzadeh, N., Harrison, K., &amp; Torrez, D. P. (2019). Explaining the impact of differences in voting patterns on resilience and relational load in romantic relationships during the transition to the Trump presidency. <em>Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 37<\/em>(1), 3\u201326. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0265407519846566\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/0265407519846566<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Arroyo, A., Richardson, E. W., Hargrove, C. M., &amp; Futris, T. G. (2024). Foster caregivers&#8217; depressive symptoms and parenting stress: Applying the theory of resilience and relational load. <em>Family Relations, 73<\/em>(2), 1438\u20131454. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/fare.12908\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/fare.12908<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Haughton, C., &amp; Afifi, T. D. (2022). Resilience in interracial\u2013interethnic relationships in the United States: Assessing relationship maintenance and communal orientation as protection against network stigma. <em>Human Communication Research, 48<\/em>(2), 265\u2013291. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/hcr\/hqab023\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1093\/hcr\/hqab023<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp; LaFreniere, J. R., &amp; Ledbetter, A. M. (2021). How parental confirmation is associated with family quality: Applying the theory of resilience and relational load to parent-young adult child relationships. <em>Western Journal of Communication, 85<\/em>(5), 609\u2013631. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/10570314.2021.1986636\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/10570314.2021.1986636<\/a><\/p>\n<\/details>\n\n\n\n<details class=\"wp-block-details is-layout-flow wp-block-details-is-layout-flow\"><summary><strong>Connect with Theory 8.2: Relational Dialectics Theory<\/strong><\/summary>\n<p><strong>Relational dialectics theory <\/strong>explains how people manage conflicting desires that cause tension within close relationships. The dialectical perspective of relationship development and maintenance argues that relationships are constantly changing as people go through ups and downs in their relationships. In healthy relationships, people manage ongoing tensions by adapting to one another\u2019s changing needs, desires, or goals. According to the theory, tensions that occur within relationships are due to two simultaneous and incompatible needs or goals. <em>Internal dialectic<\/em> is the tension between the two partners within a relationship. For example, you might not want to have a lot of relationship talks, but your partner wants to talk about the relationship all the time. This reflects opposing views of intimacy that exist between you and your partner. <em>External dialectic<\/em> refers to the tension between the couple and people outside the relationship. For example, you may want to stay together with your partner, but everyone else, including your friends and family members, is telling you to break up, which can create tension. The theory suggests three basic sources of tension in close relationships. Specifically, people want to have both interdependence and autonomy while maintaining an intimate connection (autonomy vs. connection); people struggle with how novel or predictable they would like their relationship to be (novelty vs. predictability); and people manage the tension between being open and maintaining privacy (openness vs privacy). The theory has been used to understand how women make sense of their dissatisfaction during the transition to motherhood through examining competing cultural norms and expectations (Cronin-Fisher &amp; Parcel, 2019). Another application of the theory was to examine how family members\u2019 talk about severe mental illness and how they manage competing discourses to create family identity (i.e., a normal yet abnormal family, a physically\/emotionally close yet distant family relationships; Sporer &amp; Toller, 2017).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>References and other suggested readings:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Amati, R., &amp; Hannawa, A. F. (2014). Relational dialectics theory: Disentangling physician-perceived tensions of end-of-life communication. <em>Health Communication, 29<\/em>(10), 962\u2013973. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/10410236.2013.815533\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/10410236.2013.815533<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Baxter, L. A., &amp; Montgomery, B. M. (1996). <em>Relating: Dialogues and dialectics.<\/em> Guilford.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Baxter, L. A., Scharp, K. M., &amp; Thomas, L. J. (2021). Relational dialectics theory. <em>Journal of Family Theory &amp; Review, 13(<\/em>1), 7\u201320. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/jftr.12405\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1111\/jftr.12405<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cronin-Fisher, V., &amp; Parcell, E. S. (2019). Making sense of dissatisfaction during the transition to motherhood through relational dialectics theory. <em>Journal of Family Communication, 19<\/em>(2), 157\u2013170. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/15267431.2019.1590364\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/15267431.2019.1590364<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Sporer, K., &amp; Toller, P. W. (2017). Family identity disrupted by mental illness and violence: an application of relational dialectics theory. <em>Southern Communication Journal, 82<\/em>(2), 85\u2013101. <a href=\"http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1080\/1041794X.2017.1302503\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">http:\/\/dx.doi.org\/10.1080\/1041794X.2017.1302503<\/a>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Suter, E. A., Parcell, E. S., Adebayo, C. T., Romo, D. C., &amp; Weadock, C. R. (2024). Charting a research agenda for relational dialectics theory: Forwarding critical theorizing in interpersonal and family communication research. <em>Journal of Family Communication, 24(<\/em>3-4), 177\u2013195. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/15267431.2024.2394027\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1080\/15267431.2024.2394027<\/a>&nbsp;&nbsp; Wolfe, B. H., &amp; Scharp, K. M. (2022). Resisting and reifying meaning in everyday life: Using relational dialectics theory to understand the meaning of heterosexual dating. <em>Journal of Social and Personal Relationships, 39<\/em>(9), 2680\u20132700. <a href=\"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/02654075221087462\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">https:\/\/doi.org\/10.1177\/02654075221087462<\/a><\/p>\n<\/details>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-flow wp-block-group-is-layout-flow\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-nowrap is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-6c531013 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full is-resized has-custom-border\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"74\" height=\"74\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn-staging.routledgelearning.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/assets\/sites\/46\/icon-FLASH.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-409\" style=\"border-top-left-radius:4px;border-top-right-radius:4px;border-bottom-left-radius:4px;border-bottom-right-radius:4px;width:40px\"\/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"aioseo-flashcards-21\">Flashcards<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<!-- Swiper -->\n<div class=\"swiper mySwiper\">\n    <div class=\"swiper-wrapper\">\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Agape<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A compassionate and selfless love that combines the passion of eros and the companionship of storge. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Attachment Style<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A general orientation toward close relationships that reflects how people see themselves in relation to others.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Complete\/Consummate Love<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>When relationships are characterized by intimacy, passion, and commitment. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Emotional Infidelity<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Devoting time, attention, and feelings to someone other than a committed romantic partner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Eros<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Love characterized by beauty and sexuality.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Insecure Attachment<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A bond characterized by a lack of confidence in close relationships.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Intimacy<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A connection between two people that includes psychological, emotional, and behavioral bonds.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Ludus<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Love characterized as a game that is entertaining and exciting.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Mania<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Love that blends the passion of eros with the games of ludus, resulting in a dramatic love that involves both elation and depression.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Pragma<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Love that combines the strategies of ludus with storge\u2019s focus on friendship and values when someone meets criteria for a good partner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Relational Dialectic <\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Opposition between alternative ways of being intimate.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Relational Maintenance<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>The actions people take to keep their relationship in a desired state.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Routine Maintenance<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Behaviors that are performed unintentionally but that help to keep a relationship functioning.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Secure Attachment<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>A bond characterized by comfort with closeness and an ability to trust or be trusted by others.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Sexual Infidelity<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Having physical intimacy with someone other than a committed romantic partner.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Storge<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Love characterized as peaceful and grounded in friendship.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <!-- Swiper Slide -->\n        <div class=\"swiper-slide\">\n          <!-- Flashcard -->\n           <button class=\"flip-card\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\">\n            <div class=\"flip-card-inner\">\n              <div class=\"flip-card-front\"><p><p>Strategic Maintenance<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n              <div class=\"flip-card-back\"><p>Behaviors that are intentionally performed with the goal of maintaining the relationship.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n            <\/div>\n          <\/button>\n        <\/div>\n\n        \n        <div id=\"flashcard-instruction\" class=\"sr-only\">Press Enter or Space to flip the card<\/div><div id=\"flip-announcement\" class=\"sr-only\" role=\"status\" aria-live=\"polite\"><\/div>\n\n    <\/div>\n\n    <div class=\"swiper-button-next\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"swiper-button-prev\"><\/div>\n    <div class=\"swiper-pagination\"><\/div>\n    \n<\/div>\n<div role=\"region\" aria-live=\"polite\" id=\"announcement\" class=\"visually-hidden\"><\/div>\n\n<script>\n\nvar swiper = new Swiper(\".mySwiper\", {\n    pagination: {\n    el: \".swiper-pagination\",\n    type: \"fraction\",\n    },\n    navigation: {\n    nextEl: \".swiper-button-next\",\n    prevEl: \".swiper-button-prev\",\n    },\n});\n\n\n\nconst flipCards = document.querySelectorAll('.flip-card');\n  const announcement = document.getElementById('announcement');\n\n  flipCards.forEach(flipCard => {\n    flipCard.addEventListener('click', () => {\n      flipCard.classList.toggle('flipped');\n      const frontContent = flipCard.getAttribute('data-front');\n      const backContent = flipCard.getAttribute('data-back');\n      const isFlipped = flipCard.classList.contains('flipped');\n      \n      if (isFlipped) {\n        announcement.textContent = `${backContent} is now visible.`;\n      } else {\n        announcement.textContent = `${frontContent} is now visible.`;\n      }\n    });\n\n    flipCard.addEventListener('keydown', event => {\n      if (event.key === 'Enter' || event.key === ' ') {\n        flipCard.classList.toggle('flipped');\n        const frontContent = flipCard.getAttribute('data-front');\n        const backContent = flipCard.getAttribute('data-back');\n        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href=\"#aioseo-how-do-you-rate-15\">How Do You Rate?<\/a><ul><\/ul><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-communication-in-action-27\">Communication In Action<\/a><ul><\/ul><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-connect-with-theory-19\">Connect with Theory<\/a><\/li><li><a class=\"aioseo-toc-item\" href=\"#aioseo-flashcards-21\">Flashcards<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:60px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Intimate relationships are enacted and maintained through interpersonal communication. There are several components of intimacy, ways of experiencing love, and features of romantic love which add to the complexity of intimate relationships. Individuals enact an array of strategies to maintain their relationship, cope with tensions inherent within them, and sometimes deal with major transgressions like&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":0,"parent":88,"menu_order":0,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-258","content","type-content","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.routledgelearning.com\/interpersonalcomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content\/258","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.routledgelearning.com\/interpersonalcomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.routledgelearning.com\/interpersonalcomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/content"}],"version-history":[{"count":14,"href":"https:\/\/staging.routledgelearning.com\/interpersonalcomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content\/258\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":675,"href":"https:\/\/staging.routledgelearning.com\/interpersonalcomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content\/258\/revisions\/675"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/staging.routledgelearning.com\/interpersonalcomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/content\/88"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/staging.routledgelearning.com\/interpersonalcomm\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=258"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}