This stage is where the partners tend to limit their interactions with each other. Communication will lessen in quality and quantity.
A Differentiating
B Stagnating
C Circumscribing
D None of the above
The correct answer and explanation is:
The correct answer is C. Circumscribing.
Circumscribing is a stage in relationship development where communication begins to decrease and becomes more restricted. In this phase, partners begin to limit the areas of conversation they engage in, often avoiding topics that may lead to conflict or discomfort. Communication becomes more superficial and less frequent, with individuals focusing on safe, neutral subjects rather than sharing personal thoughts and feelings. This limitation of communication is often a sign that the relationship is experiencing a decline, as the emotional connection weakens and partners start to pull away from each other.
During this stage, the couple may still interact, but their conversations are likely to be routine and lack the depth and intimacy seen earlier in the relationship. They may avoid discussing problems or concerns, leading to further emotional distance. The partners may also stop sharing important aspects of their lives, which can create a sense of isolation between them.
Circumscribing can occur for a variety of reasons, such as unresolved conflicts, unmet needs, or external pressures like work or family stress. If this phase is not addressed, it can progress to further stages of relationship deterioration, including stagnation, where the relationship reaches a point of standstill, or differentiation, where individuals start to highlight their differences more than their similarities.
Overall, circumscribing marks a period where the partners consciously or unconsciously reduce the scope and quality of their interactions, signaling a critical point in the relationship’s trajectory.