The Basics
What does RDT stand for?
What is Relational Dialect Theory
The pull between wanting closeness and independence.
What is Connection vs. Autonomy?
Can tensions ever go away completely?
What is No?
They must be managed!
What kind of talk helps partners understand each other’s needs?
What is Dialogue?
In Friends, Ross wants space and Rachel wants to stay together.
What is Autonomy vs. Connection?
Who created the theory?
Who is Leslie Baxter and Barbara Montgomery?
The pull between being open and keeping things private.
What is Openness vs. Closedness?
Taking turns focusing on different sides of a tension.
What is Spiraling Alternation?
True or False: Dialogue can help tensions stay healthy.
What is true?
In Frozen, Elsa hides her powers while Anna wants openness.
What is Openness vs. Closedness?
True or False: RDT says relationships are calm and stable.
What is False?
The pull between routine and excitement.
What is Predictability vs. Novelty?
Ignoring one side of a tension completely.
What is denial?
In RDT, relationships are created and shaped by what?
What is communication?
In The Office, Jim and Pam try to keep their marriage exciting.
Predictability vs. Novelty
RDT says relationships are full of what?
What is contradictions/ tensions?
Tensions that happen between the couple and the outside world.
What are External Dialects?
Keeping different areas of life separate to manage tensions.
What is segmentation?
A short moment of deep understanding between partners is called what?
What is An Aesthetic Moment?
In Encanto, Mirabel wants unity but also individuality.
What is Connection vs. Autonomy?
What makes relationships change and grow according to RDT?
What is communication?
Tensions that happen within the relationship itself.
What are Internal Dialectics?
Finding a balance and accepting both sides of a tension.
What is Integration?
Listening to both voices equally and showing respect for both sides.
What is Dialogic Communication?
In Barbie (2023), Barbie wants to explore the real world but misses home.
What is Novelty vs. Predictability?