In this article, I will analyze a relationship that I had with my college school friend. This will be based on Knapp's Model of Relational Development, which is an archetypal of phases through which a relationship undergoes. I will address the five stages of coming together as well as the five steps of coming apart as applicable in this relationship.
Coming Together
The initiation phase, in our case, could be attributed to same course enrollment. Thus, we could see each other more often in class. Furthermore, since we attended the same group discussion and did group assignment together, we realized that we had common interests in other areas and we were comfortable to share and spend time together. As the relationship intensified, we could share beyond our school and social life to more private matter ("Knapp's Relationship Model"). This saw the relationship deepens. Consequently, we became inseparable and could see each other more often or spend our free time together. Also, we could assist each other when one was having issues. Finally, we had bonded enough to become roommates.
Coming Apart
After school, we had to go our separate ways, which saw our relationship come apart. First, since we could not see each other more common, we started to share and communicate less. Second, we began to become less aware of or concerned about each other's issues and began to have space. Third, we became stagnant in our friendship in which we could hardly communicate or see each other. However, we did not go through the avoidance phase since our association persisted, though was in dormancy ("Knapp's Relationship Model"). Therefore, in the long run, we never terminated our relationship, and we still consider ourselves long distance friends.
Work Consulted
"Knapp's Relationship Model". Communication Theory, 2018, https://www.communicationtheory.org/knapps-relationship-model/. Accessed 22 June 2018.
