relational dialectics theory + culture

relational dialectics theory

how people create meaning through communication (focusing on tension and struggle in relationships)

struggles are known as

contradictions or competing discourses

dialectics is

tension

3 central tensions

1. integration-separation

2. stability-change

3. expression-privacy

each central tension is expressed

internally (with each other) and externally (any pair of partners with other people in social networks)

1. internal-separation

internal (autonomy-connection) to external (inclusion-seclusion; couple choosing time with friend vs. s/o)

2. stability-change

predicability-novelty (surprises vs. normalcy) to conventionality-uniqueness (marriage vs. eloping)

3. expression-privacy

openess-closeness (sharing vs. secrets) to revelation-concealment (revealing or not to social network)

RDT strategies

• selection

• separation

• neutralization

• reframing

RDT selection

emphasizing one decision over another

RDT separation

cyclic alternation → alternative between ends of pole; segmention = same topics get one end of the pole and some get another

RDT neutralization

trying to compromise; find happy middle, no one’s truly happy because they have to give up something

RDT reframing

taking tension and using it as a good thing

dialogic process

use of conversation to explore meaning

4 tenets

• discourses

• interplay

• utterances

• power is embedded in the discourses

interplay

2 different ideas

utterances

form chains; through individual communication, we form more links/connections

power embedded through discourse is either ___ or ____

centripetal or centrifugal

centripetal

bring people together

centrifugal

bring people apart

hofstede’s cultural framework has 4 dimensions

1. individualism-collectivism

2. uncertainty avoidance

3. power distance

4. masculinity-femininity

individualism-collectivism

for your own sake/on your own vs an ingroup/outgroup where everyone thinks the same

uncertainty avoidance

• tolerance vs. ambiguity

• high avoidance → low tolerance & ambiguity

• low avoidance → high tolerance & ambiguity

• high/strong avoidance → many rules, laws, punishments

power distance

status/power difference in cultures

masculinity-femininity

masculine: value strength, success, achievement, clear gender role divisions, weak ←→ strong