Knapps Relational Development in the Movie No Strings Attached Essay

Knapps Relational Development in the Movie No Strings Attached - Essay Example This essay discusses that according to Knapp, Initiating as the first stage of the relationship begins with the simple introduction between two individuals. Between Adam and Emma, their relationship began at a summer camp when they were young teenagers. Their body language apparently shows that it was an awkward meeting, especially with the way their small talk has progressed. Seeing each other again after five years in a fraternity party when they were university students was made led to what Knapp calls the Experimenting stage in a relationship. When Emma invited Adam to her father’s funeral, it became obvious in the movie that she is not comfortable talking about situations concerning emotions. Calling her father’s funeral â€Å"this thing† shows that it is her way of coping with the loss of a member of her family. Although Emma did not express her feelings and beliefs about the situation and certain issues to Adam, her gestures simply speak of her opening up herself and sharing her beliefs with him. Bringing someone to an event where he or she meets the family is a step further to making closer and letting them know that you are no longer just an acquaintance. A father’s funeral is rather a very emotional and personal event that is supposed to be shared only to people who we know well and we are familiar with, physically and emotionally. In addition, the mere introduction of Adam to her family made Emma open up a part of her life to Adam, which makes their relationship move further to Knapp’s second phase of relational development.... m to her family made Emma open up a part of her life to Adam, which makes their relationship move further to Knapp’s second phase of relational development. It took Adam and Emma a few more years to see each other again and continue where they left off. After running into each other in a farmer’s market in Los Angeles, they exchanged contact numbers and promised to keep in touch. However, it was only after Adam’s desperation after finding out his father is living with his ex-girlfriend that they were able to get together again. Adam, having exposed his vulnerability to Emma when he passed out and slept over at her apartment, became comfortable talking with her. After a short conversation and a few laughs, they made out right before Emma went to work. When Emma seemed to be ignoring his messages and calls, Adam surprised her at the hospital with a heart-shaped balloon hoping she would be impressed by the gesture and probably for them to become a couple considering what just happened the morning before. To his surprise, Emma was â€Å"not the type who is good at relationships.† When they saw each other again and had sex the second time at Adam’s place, Emma proposed an agreement to Adam for which he thought he could â€Å"handle.† The Intensifying stage of their relationship began at this point as they have agreed to â€Å"use each other for sex† since Emma thought it would be better for them so they would not have to have breakfast together when they wake up. Having breakfast is in fact a common gesture for couples who are in a real relationship, and it is usually at breakfast when couples get to talk about each other and makes plans. Obviously, this situation is what Emma wanted to avoid. She does not feel comfortable feeling vulnerable and needy of a man next to