KNAPPS RELATIONSHIP MODEL 8
Knapp’s Relationship Model
Thru Silver Linings Playbook
Anna Smith
Eastern Michigan University
Abstract
Relationships, especially close and trusting relationships, are very important for the
positive, social, and psychological growth of the individuals involved in the relationship. In our
society, people in close relationships desire physical contact, emotional support, acceptance and
love. These traits and feelings are part of human nature, and people strive for these types of
interpersonal relationships to fulfill the void in people's lives and, above all, to make
sense of life through trust, sharing and caring.
In the movie, Silver Linings Playbook, Pat and Tiffany go through the stages of Knapp’s relationship model to help each other fill these voids in their lives. Knapp’s relationship model explains how relationships grow and last and how they end. This model is categorized into ten different stages which come under two interconnecting stages are Knapp’s relationship coming together stage and the coming apart stage. This helps to understand how a relationship progresses and deteriorates. It is important to remember that these stages do not have to happen in order they can switch back and forth amongst each other.
The first stage, is the initiation stage, is very short and all about making an impression. The physical appearance plays a great role in impression making such as the dress that they wear, the perfume they use and the overall appearance.
In the movie, Tiffany makes a favorable first impression with her looks. Pat, on the other hand, does not give off as great of physical impression and does not improve it with his greeting towards Tiffany. (Movie Time)
Experimentation is the next stage where individuals begin to engage in self-disclosure to learn information about each other. The individuals use this stage to explore and get a feel for the relationship as well as one another. Small talk is a common form of communication in this stage, as both parties use it to search for an area of common interest of experience. At this stage, relationships are generally pleasant, casual, and uncritical. Knapp says that most relationships will not go beyond this point.
Pat and Tiffany start this process when they are out for a jog. (movie time) However, the main time that you see them in the experimentation stage is when they are at the dinner on Halloween. At this time, they talk more about themselves and are learning about each other’s past. (Movie Time)
During the third stage, the intensifying stage, the two individuals will continue experimentations to determine whether there is mutual emotional affection and attachment. Whereas in the previous experimentation phase, conversation focused more on superficial topics such as discovering shared areas of interest and commonalities, in...
