Knapp's Relationship Escalation Model

 Knapp’s Relationship Escalation Model

Knapp's Relationship Escalation Model consists of five different levels of either coming apart in a relationship, or coming together. The first level in coming together is the initiating stage. This stage includes trying to make good impressions on people through changing their appearance literally or mannerisms. For example, on my first date with my boyfriend I wore a dress because I wanted to look nice and I tried to have better table manners than usual. The second stage is the Experimentation stage. This stage is about getting to know someone better. For example, asking someone about what they like to do in their free time or what their interests are. The third stage is the Intensifying stage.  This is when you begin to get more comfortable with the person and may share more personal information about yourself. For example, you may share about trauma that you have experienced, or maybe you want to talk about how committed you are to each other relationship wise. The next stage is the Integration stage. This is where you make the relationship that is closer than the current one. For example, after about a month and a half of dating, my boyfriend asked if I would be his girlfriend. The last stage is the Bonding stage where the relationship is made known to friends, family, acquaintances, etc. This stage could include getting married. As for the coming apart route, the five levels are Differentiating, Circumscribing, Stagnating, Avoiding, and Terminating. 

Attached below is a link if you want to learn more about the different stages! 

https://www.communicationtheory.org/knapps-relationship-model/