Interpersonal theories of communication explain the message which takes place between two people. It focuses on the patterns or relationships that develop in different people who interact more often. However, there are several theories that illustrate the development of relationships, maintenance, and termination of relationships. This paper, therefore, covers the two theories that illustrate the development of the relationship, the model of the relationship, and the development and maintenance or end of the relationship. It also uses various concepts of the films to explain the theoretical idea of the film to make it understandable.
Evolutionary Theory Of Relationship Development
The concept of the evolutionary theory of development states that all relationships are started with the purpose of reproducing. As stated by Guerrero (192), males and females usually make different contributions during the reproduction stage because they perform different functions in different reproduction as well. It is because everyone starts a relationship with a reason, and in most cases, women would want to start a relationship with a man who is trustworthy, reliable and committed to the relationship because she will need assistance to raise her children (Guerrero 193). In the film “When Harry Met Sally” Sally and Joe broke up because Joes was not ready for marriage while Sally wanted to start a family. This means that Sally does not feel that Joe is trustworthy and reliable enough to secure her future, and therefore, she decides to end the relationship. In the film, Sally and Harry argue that no relationship can exist without engaging in affairs, which explains almost all three occasions they met. It clearly explains that relationships are for reproduction, which explains the evolution theory of relationship development.
Attraction Theory
Attraction theory illustrates that for any romantic relationship to exist, there must be a person who is interested in initiating contact. Attraction theory explains that there are forces which attract people to relationships, and these forces are interpersonal attractiveness, proximity and similarities. In the film Harry Met Sally, Harry and Sally meet several times on different occasions and discuss different issues related to their relationship. Attraction theory states that a relationship begins at a point when people are attracted to each other based on shared interest, and therefore, in the film, Harry and Sally seem to have a shared interest in having a family and reproduction. It is noted that “Harry told Sally that she is attractive and beautiful, though Sally looked shocked and broken by such words. They ended up meeting again and confessing their affection to one another, and therefore, Hurry and Sally ended up getting married.
Models Of Relationship Development
Most relationships are developed through shared values and similarities between couples. In a romantic relationship, it is proper to have an attraction to each other so that individuals can have a lot to share. Similarities are values people share, vision, and other things that bond couples. Therefore, in the film Harry Met Sally, they have some similarities since both graduated from the same university and share the same vision in life since both Harry and Sally had plans to start a family. Harry noted that he would want to be a family man at the same time. Sally leaves Joe because she feels Joe is not serious about starting a family; therefore, Harry and Sally have similarities, which develops their relationship. Despite the fact that both had past relationships, they still ended up loving each other and getting married to have a family.
The proximity between Harry and Sally also strengthened their relationship, hence making them become a couple. In the film, Harry and Sally unexpectedly run into each other in the bookstore on the flight, and they also meet on several occasions to discuss their past relationship. This made it possible for them to develop their relationship and be familiar with each other. This made Sally and Harry to start liking each other and therefore, they ended up discussing their personal feelings towards each other, though on the first date, Sally predicted she was not for the topic but ended up expressing her feelings to Harry.
Maintenance Or Ending Relationship
Relationships are always terminated when either partner does not see the value of the relationship. It is mostly affected by what and how each partner contributes to the existence of the relationship. It can be ended when there are no shared values and similarities as well. For instance, Sally and Joe ended their relationship since it was not based on any shared values or similarities. Sally was ready and willing to settle down and start a family, while Joe was not committed to long-term relations and never wanted to start a family as soon as Sally wanted (Reiner and Nora 2). In a relationship, the partner should be satisfied, and satisfaction can be through sexual and equity; therefore, without either relationship, it would fail. For instance, Sally and Harry agreed that a relationship between male and female cannot exist without sexual intercourse. In the film “Harry met Sally” Sally had sex with Joe, Harry with Amanda his ex-girlfriend to keep their relationship strong and therefore, sexual intercourse and equity are some of the best method which can be used to maintain relationship.
In conclusion, the film “When Harry Met Sally represents themes of communication theories. The characters explored the model of relationship development and theories of relationship development to build the relationship. The relationship between Harry and Sally is a classic example of how interpersonal theories and models determine the existence of relationships in the world today.
Works Cited
Guerrero, Laura K. Communication in Close Relationship. New York: Pearson, 2014.
Reiner, Rob and Ephron Nora. When Harry met Sally. New York, 1989.
