Knapp's stages of relationship development

Description
Initiating-This is a very short stage and is all about making an impression. In this stage judging the person would not be accurate. Most people are concerned with making good first impressions. The physical appearance plays a big role in impression making such as the clothing they wear or the car that they drive.

Movie incident
The scene where Rosalee and Tad first meet at Rosalee's hotel room. Rosalee is speechless and mixes up her sentences. At the same time Ted is shocked at her beauty and immediately is excited about the date. And then she sees Tad's limo and is impressed

Connection
This is a great example if Initiating because it shows when they first meet and interact with each other for the first time, getting all googly eyed at each other. And clearly both attracted to each other.

Description
Experimenting- In this stage of relationship development, it’s all about exploring to get to know each other. The experimentation is also called the probing stage because each person analyzes the other for information or common interests so they can decide whether to keep the relationship going.

Movie incident
Experimenting occurs in the movie in the scene where Rosalee and tad are on there first date at the restaurant At dinner Tad opens up to Rosalee when he talks about his movie auditions. Tad then asks Rosalee what she does for a living. As the conversation continues, Rosalee sees all the signs that Pete warned her about

Connection
This is an example of experimenting because during the dinner conversation it gave both of them lots of information about one another like where Rosalee works. And it is implied later in the move that Rosalee had told Tad all about her two best friends Pete and Cathy.

Description
Intensifying- this stage of relationship development intensifies and becomes less formal. People start revealing their personal information and will analyze what the other person thinks of them. They find various ways to intensify the relationship to keep the love going strong such as giving gifts, spending more time together, asking for dates, expecting a relationship commitment.

Movie incident
Intensifying occurs when Tad comes to West Virginia and Rosalee takes him to the local diner and then they go to the local kissing spot where Pete gets them in trouble and in the later couple of scenes where they go on more dates and Tad buys a farm.

Connection
This is a good example of intensifying because this is when they begin to understand each other and their intentions in the relationship. And Tad tries to intensify the relationship by buying a farm in their little town in West Virginia to show that he is very committed to the relationship.

Knapp's stages of relationship dissolution

Description
Differentiating- When people progress in a relationship they sometimes will start thinking individually rather than with the partner due to outside pressures. They may start developing hobbies or other projects. The relationship and love for each other will start to fade.

Movie incident
Differentiating takes place in the movie when Rosalee begins to see the bad parts of Tad when he gets the part for the new movie and he is jumping for joy and completely forgetting about Rosalee

Connection
This is an example if differentiating because Rosalee can see that Tad's main priorities are not the relationship and love he has for Rosalee but his relationship and love for making movies this causes the relationship to start fading slightly.

Description
Stagnating is by simply going through the motions of the relationship and behaving as though nothing has changed from when times were good. Doing what has become usual and expected, yet with diminished interest, enthusiasm, joy or meaning.

Movie example
Stagnating takes place in the movie in the scene when Rosalee goes with Tad on the plane to Hollywood and she is longingly looking out the window.

Connection
This is an example of Stagnation because it shows Rosalee just going through the motions of the relationship by going on a trip with Tad and you can tell she is doing it with less enthusiasm than she would have if they still loved each other, when you see her longingly looking out the window as the plane is taking off.

Description
Termination- Is when a couple speaks about wanting to go their separate ways and they then make the decision final. Speculations regarding what went wrong might also be talked about, and the relationship may continue on good or bad terms.

Movie example
Termination occurs in the movie when Tad confesses on the plane that he stole the six smiles speech from Pete and then Rosalee tells Tad that she has loved Pete her entire life and only just now realizes it

Connection
This is an example of termination in the movie because after Tad tells the truth they both realize that it is not going to work out, then Tad tells Rosalee that he has had his heart broken but he lets the relationship continue on good terms by turning the plane around for her to go to Pete.

Dialectics section

Openness vs Closedness

Description- When two people in a romantic relationship feel the pressure to reveal extensive personal information. However, this is the opposite of a natural individual desire for privacy that one has.

Movie example
Openness vs closedness occurs in the movie when Tad and Rosalee are on their first date after Rosalee asks Tad what he does when he is not making movies he replies by saying he reads and plays with his dog and his cat.

Connection
This is an example of Openness vs Closedness because Tad does not tell the truth about what he does in his spare time, drinking smoking and dating women, he tells her different things because he thinks that is what she wants to hear.

Culture/Stereotypes section

Rosalee's impression of Tad

In the beginning scene where Rosalee and cathy are talking about what Tad is like in real life shows her stereotypes about people like tad. After the movie staring Tad Cathy asks Rosalee if she thinks that his is like the character he plays in the movie in real life and she responds “absolutely you cant just fake that kind of thing” her impressions of Tad are the perfect man.

Tad's impressions of Rosalee

The scene where Tad is getting dressed for the date with Rosalee and he says tell me again why your making me have dinner with an oaky and then hears her name and says wow sounds really hot.
This explains Tads cultural differences with Rosalee because he thinks the only attractive people are in Hollywood.

Face management section

competence face

Description
Competence face- our need for others to acknowledge, respect and realize our abilities and intelligence

Movie Scene The scene after Tad buys the farm Pete and Tad go around the farm doing manly farm work like chopping wood

Connection
This is an example of Competence face on Pete's part because he wanted to show Rosalee that he was manly and a hard worker and wanted to prove that Tad was only good at making movies. Although this backfired on poor Pete.