Relational Tensions

Conflict is a natural part of being in a relationship, there are ongoing tensions in a relationship that can be the beginnings of conflict. “A relationship is a union where two individuals from different background compromise in many ways. People experience internal tensions inconsistently while being in a relationship” (Relational dialectics theory, 2010). To further explain and understand these ongoing conflicts, the theory of relational dialectics developed by Leslie Baxter explains the dialectical tensions which contain three tensions, including integration-separation, expression-non-expression, and stability-change. Each of the tensions then have an internal dialect and external dialect, which means there are different tensions within

A study was done to find the influence Facebook has on relationships. According to Fox, the most relevant tension to social media practices is expression versus non-expression. The reason for this tension being the most relevant, is the contrasting difference in people’s posting habits. People may choose to post about personal information while others may feel awkward disclosing information to the public. Fox then goes onto explain that finding a balance between expression and non-expression in their social media habits so all relationships will be harmonious. “Within the couple, individuals may have differing privacy practices and expectations for SNSs, which may cause tension… As such, this wealth of information is likely to affect the expression–privacy struggle between the couple and the network” (Fox&Warber, 2014). Conflict may arise due to the social media habits of their significant other and it could be a branch of relational dialectics, to analyze the social media habits of partners. With technology becoming more present in society, social media is gaining more members and still continues to grow hence it is evident that open communication is necessary to establish the boundaries of social media habits within the

Connection and autonomy seem to be the most important tension among interpersonal relationships, meaning people like to spend time with their friends or significant other but simultaneously require independence from them for a period of time. A study was done on international students and the friendships they formed with others, in which the dialectical tension if connection versus autonomy differed among the students. The author stated that the international students may develop more independence due to the western culture relying heavily on independence but at the same time, the students’s traditional culture would still be present which relies on interdependence (Terria Chia-Chia Chen & Sias, 2001). Connecting different cultures together can cause conflict in people’s relationships, due to the differences in their upbringing. Different cultures look at interpersonal relationships differently than western culture, for example marriage is practiced differently in Indian and Muslim culture than in the United States. With that being said, Nasser analyzed relational dialectics in arranged marriages within Lebanese Muslims. The tension of connection versus autonomy was changed to fit the cultural differences, instead the dialectic was named commitment versus