Interpersonal Relationship

Interpersonal Relationship

Introduction

This paper is based on the topic of interpersonal relationships. This paper provides a comparative discussion on the concepts of conformity, compliance, and obedience. Fundamental interpersonal relationship orientation theory depicts that people are motivated to satisfy three needs: inclusion, control, and affection (Hawkins, 2008). People begin relationships to meet these needs. Inclusion is the need people feel to belong and be included. Control refers to people's desire to shape their interactions. The relationship development model depicts relationship movement as a series of stages through which couples may move. In the 1980s, Mark Knapp presented a 10-stage model of relationships coming together and coming apart. Each stage is characterized by different communication patterns (Knapp, 2007). Though movement through these stages is generally sequential and systematic, people may skip stages, stay in a stage, or repeat stages.

Uncertainty reduction theory assumes that people want stable and predictable interactions, which lead people to reduce their uncertainty about others and events (Parks, 2006). Uncertainty stems from the number of different things that might occur in a situation. Charles Berger and Richard Calabrese's theory provides insight into how uncertainty motivates communication behaviors, specifically information seeking, reciprocity, verbal intimacy, nonverbal expressiveness, and the amount of information shared. Additionally, uncertainty reduction theory makes predications about liking and perceived similarity (Stamp, 2007).

Discussion

Research on social influence makes a distinction between conformity and compliance. Conformity is not based on power or obedience to authority; rather, it is a process through which people internalize group norms as guides for their own actions, often because they identify strongly with the group that defines the norm. Conformity involves genuine and enduring attitudinal change that underpins behavior (Martin, 2007). Conformity does not require surveillance—people conform because they feel they belong.

In contrast, compliance is a superficial and transient change in behavior and expressed attitudes in order to satisfy a request or order from someone else. There is no genuine underlying change in attitudes and behavioral intentions. Compliance requires surveillance, because if no one is watching, one reverts to one's true attitudes and behavior (Hawkins, 2008). Compliance describes what happens when we agree to do someone a favor or accede to a request. But compliance also describes what happens when we obey a command or an order.

Although obedience is a form of compliance, it can be differentiated from compliance with a request. Compliance with a request is based on factors such as liking for the ...