TESTING A CYCLICAL MODEL OF COMMUNICATIVE OPENNESS IN RELATIONSHIP DEVELOPMENT - 2 LONGITUDINAL-STUDIES

This paper reports the results of two longitudinal studies of openness-closedness cycling in relationship development based upon a model by Altman, Vinsel, and Brown (1981). Study 1 consists of behavioral observations of interactions among acquainting dyads over four weeks. Study 2 consists of self-reported measures of subjects' openness, openness of other, communication satisfaction, and relationship satisfaction in intact relationships over ten weeks. Fourier Analyses of the time series were conducted and meta-analyses were conducted to test the hypotheses. Both studies strongly support a cyclical model. There appear to be short cycles recurring within conversations superimposed over larger cycles across conversations. The results also suggest that people match and time the amplitude and frequency of their own cycling behavior to coincide with that of their partner. Study 2 found that the cycles of perceived openness coincide with fluctuations in communication satisfaction and that deteriorating relationships and older relationships evidence greater amplitudes in their cyclical fluctuations.