Knapps Relational Model

 We are learning more about how Knapp's Relational Model can give us a better understanding of the levels we hold in our interpersonal relationships and the stages we go through when entering and leaving a new or old relationship. The personal relationship that I want to connect with these ideas is the relationship I have with my older sister. There are many things to consider here, we are 5 years apart, we were not always the closest growing up and even now I would not consider us close in comparison to the other sibling relationships I have perceived in my life. Through the last 20 years, we have been in the stages of coming together and coming apart at the exact same time, this sibling dynamic can sometimes be hard for others to perceive but with us being so connected through our family, we understand each other. I would say right now at this moment, we are in the coming together part of Knapp's model, and slowly getting into the bonding stage, it is funny to think that this is where I am at in my relationship with my sister but we are just starting to really get to know each other as human beings, and not just each other's annoying sister. It is interesting to consider how online communication impacts my relationship with my sister, she lives in Portland and I go to school here and the only times we ever can communicate when I am at school is through the use of online platforms and technology. We can text and call on our phones but we also see some of the biggest aspects of each other's lives on Instagram and through photos we share in our posts. It positively influences our relationship and my other interpersonal relationships as communicating and sharing things with other individuals in my life keeps me connected to them no matter how far away they are. Thank you! 

Below is an article that shares similar reflections to the ideas I have shared in this post: 

FORBES: 3 ways sibling relationships change over time