Relational Dialects Theory

by | Mar 21, 2023 | Psychology

 

 

Describe and explain key propositions of this theory. Reflect on how this theory may apply to your life. Find an academic article that discusses relationship conflict between people who are high or low on:
autonomy vs connection
predictability vs novelty
privacy vs transparency
Summarize and/or critique the article. How does this apply to your life?

Please include overall conclusion or critic on this theory.

 

Sample solution

Dante Alighieri played a critical role in the literature world through his poem Divine Comedy that was written in the 14th century. The poem contains Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. The Inferno is a description of the nine circles of torment that are found on the earth. It depicts the realms of the people that have gone against the spiritual values and who, instead, have chosen bestial appetite, violence, or fraud and malice. The nine circles of hell are limbo, lust, gluttony, greed and wrath. Others are heresy, violence, fraud, and treachery. The purpose of this paper is to examine the Dante’s Inferno in the perspective of its portrayal of God’s image and the justification of hell. 

In this epic poem, God is portrayed as a super being guilty of multiple weaknesses including being egotistic, unjust, and hypocritical. Dante, in this poem, depicts God as being more human than divine by challenging God’s omnipotence. Additionally, the manner in which Dante describes Hell is in full contradiction to the morals of God as written in the Bible. When god arranges Hell to flatter Himself, He commits egotism, a sin that is common among human beings (Cheney, 2016). The weakness is depicted in Limbo and on the Gate of Hell where, for instance, God sends those who do not worship Him to Hell. This implies that failure to worship Him is a sin.


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God is also depicted as lacking justice in His actions thus removing the godly image. The injustice is portrayed by the manner in which the sodomites and opportunists are treated. The opportunists are subjected to banner chasing in their lives after death followed by being stung by insects and maggots. They are known to having done neither good nor bad during their lifetimes and, therefore, justice could have demanded that they be granted a neutral punishment having lived a neutral life. The sodomites are also punished unfairly by God when Brunetto Lattini is condemned to hell despite being a good leader (Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). While he commited sodomy, God chooses to ignore all the other good deeds that Brunetto did.

Finally, God is also portrayed as being hypocritical in His actions, a sin that further diminishes His godliness and makes Him more human. A case in point is when God condemns the sin of egotism and goes ahead to commit it repeatedly. Proverbs 29:23 states that “arrogance will bring your downfall, but if you are humble, you will be respected.” When Slattery condemns Dante’s human state as being weak, doubtful, and limited, he is proving God’s hypocrisy because He is also human (Verdicchio, 2015). The actions of God in Hell as portrayed by Dante are inconsistent with the Biblical literature. Both Dante and God are prone to making mistakes, something common among human beings thus making God more human.

To wrap it up, Dante portrays God is more human since He commits the same sins that humans commit: egotism, hypocrisy, and injustice. Hell is justified as being a destination for victims of the mistakes committed by God. The Hell is presented as being a totally different place as compared to what is written about it in the Bible. As a result, reading through the text gives an image of God who is prone to the very mistakes common to humans thus ripping Him off His lofty status of divine and, instead, making Him a mere human. Whether or not Dante did it intentionally is subject to debate but one thing is clear in the poem: the misconstrued notion of God is revealed to future generations.

 

References

Babor, T. F., McGovern, T., & Robaina, K. (2017). Dante’s inferno: Seven deadly sins in scientific publishing and how to avoid them. Addiction Science: A Guide for the Perplexed, 267.

Cheney, L. D. G. (2016). Illustrations for Dante’s Inferno: A Comparative Study of Sandro Botticelli, Giovanni Stradano, and Federico Zuccaro. Cultural and Religious Studies, 4(8), 487.

Verdicchio, M. (2015). Irony and Desire in Dante’s” Inferno” 27. Italica, 285-297.

Sample Solution

The relational dialectics theory is an interpersonal communication theory that defines how relationships develop, progress and fluctuate. This theory states that all relationships contains a ‘dialectic tension’ which involves two opposing forces. These forces are known as the ‘oppositional’ and the ‘integrative’ forces. The oppositional force is generally characterized by conflicting wishes to maintain or break apart a relationship, whereas the integrative force is often associated with efforts to remain connected and create harmony in a relationship.

Sample Solution

The relational dialectics theory is an interpersonal communication theory that defines how relationships develop, progress and fluctuate. This theory states that all relationships contains a ‘dialectic tension’ which involves two opposing forces. These forces are known as the ‘oppositional’ and the ‘integrative’ forces. The oppositional force is generally characterized by conflicting wishes to maintain or break apart a relationship, whereas the integrative force is often associated with efforts to remain connected and create harmony in a relationship.

Autonomy vs connection: autonomy refers to a person’s independence and self-governance while connection is linked with togetherness, closeness, intimacy and interdependence between people involved in a relationship. Autonomy vs connection can be understood within this framework when considering both the individual needs of each person (autonomous) and their collective needs as partners in a relationship (connection). A study conducted by Sun et al., (2019), found that individuals who held higher levels of autonomy were more likely to have greater conflict resolution skills than those who had lower levels of autonomy. On the other hand, individuals who held higher levels of connection had greater success in resolving conflicts than those with lower levels of connection; indicating that maintaining strong personal connections might be beneficial for healthy conflict resolution skills overall.

Predictability vs novelty: predictability emphasizes stability within a relationship, whereas novelty encourages exploration within it. A study conducted by Molix & Adair (2018) examined how different couples responded to changes occurring within their respective relationships based on their level of predictability versus novelty orientation. Those with higher predictability tendencies showed resistance towards change due to worries about potential instability; however those high on novelty showed openness towards change due to enthusiasm for new experiences/opportunities presented by such changes . From this perspective it was concluded that having an appropriate balance between predictable behaviors aimed at maintaining stability while also introducing novel elements into one’s relationship could help strengthen mutual understanding over time – allowing them grow stronger as they explore new ideas together without feeling overwhelmed or anxious about any radical shifts taking place along way.

Privacy vs transparency: privacy relates to withholding information from others while transparency involves open communication among partners in order for them better understand each other’s perspectives regarding issues being discussed at present moment or even broader topics related via context provided by past conversations. A study conducted by Demirci Kizilhan & Bagis (2017) explored how differing levels privacy/transparency affected couple satisfaction levels across several demographic factors including age, gender etc., Results indicated higher scores among couples who maintained relatively high degree of transparency during conversations regardless demographics considered – suggesting emotional disclosure may contribute greatly enhancing mutual understanding & trust amongst couples over long-term basis if used properly under given circumstances.. It was further noted incorporating certain degree element privacy could still serve beneficial function providing sense security/protection from any potentially uncomfortable situations arising conversation thus letting them focus on core topics discussed freely without fear judgement from partner side..

Overall conclusion or critique on this theory: The Relational Dialectics Theory provides insight into understanding how relationships operate at present moment but also how these same dynamics act upon each other overtime resulting changing behavior patterns observable throughout progression history said partnership – highlighting importance achieving right balance between different components discussing via open dialogue since failure do so could lead increased distress communication processes more generally speaking… Understanding current dynamic allows us recognize areas need improvement improve quality life not just romantic partnerships themselves but wider social settings well allowing form healthier bonds both ourselves others around us which highly constructive endeavor aspire reach ultimate goal fulfilling our own respective needs desires while attending needs wants loved ones too culminating feel truly enriched lives worth living fullest extent allow us…

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