ABSTRACT
Relational Turbulence Theory focuses on communication processes that occur during relationship change, in particular, how partners respond to uncertainty and assess their interdependence. Turbulence may result in “polarizing effects on people’s cognitive appraisals, emotional reactions, and communication behaviors”, a consequence of high uncertainty, knowledge deficit, and subsequent biased appraisals of communication events. Commonly, relational interruption leads to strong emotional reaction and increased sensitivity to future interruptions. Cumulative effects of repeated turbulence may include a fixation on the proximal confines of a given interaction, reducing the ability to contextualize the event in terms of long-term relational goals. The Theory of Motivated Information Management is an uncertainty-based theory that provides insight regarding relationship reimagination. Managing uncertainty is further complicated because the process may not unfold in a linear way. The Theory of Motivated Information Management also suggests that individuals will be more interested in seeking out information with large discrepancies.
