Proceedings of the 24th International Academic Conference, Barcelona

INTERPRETATIONS OF DIFFERENCES AND SIMILARITIES IN INTIMATE PARTNERS ACCORDING TO DIALECTIC APPROACH

AYŞEN TEMEL EGINLI , SELMA DIDEM OZSENLER

Abstract:

Intımate relationships constitute the most important interpersonal communication area in people’s lives. Communication has a key role in starting, maintaining and mending a relationship. A sound relationship with one’s family, friends, colleagues, etc., is the root of communication goals of a person and it also influences that person’s other relationships. By their nature, human beings want to achieve satisfaction in their relationships and this is often closely related to the need of being loved and approved. In an intimate relationship, each individual improves the welfare of another person. Intimate relationships are communal relationships. Relational dialectics theory explains intimate relationships as the continuous manifestation of new dialectics by the interactions of two different parties, and organization of the relationship by these dynamics. According to Baxter (1993), Baxter and Montgomery (1996), Montgomery and Baxter (1998) and Baxter and Braithwaite (2008), relational dialectics theory focuses on communication dynamics of the relationship and each relationship consists of innate contradictions. These contradictions are conceptualized as dialectics. Intimate partners are the focus of intimate relationships. Dialectic approach considers the relationship between intimate partners as progress and contradiction. Changes may occur and harmony may be achieved in subjects, which are perceived as differences within the process. Contradiction, however, is discussed interdependently and reciprocally, and it deals with closeness and autonomy interactions of partners. While similarities are more evident in the early stages of a relationship (age, education level, social class, activities and interests, personality, cognitive style etc.), individuals begin to realize the differences as the time goes by and these differences constitute the internal and external dialectical contradictions. In this study, the authors attempted to find an answer to the following question: “How intimate partners make sense of differences and similarities between them”. Therefore, in-depth interviews were conducted with 7 couples/partners and the obtained results were analyzed through qualitative content analysis method.

Keywords: intimate relationships; intimate partners; relational dialectic approach

DOI: 10.20472/IAC.2016.024.086

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