Week 4 - Blog 1

Ch. 9 Escalating Relationships

Andersen’s six cognitive schemata are listed on p. 259. According to Andersen’s model, if all six schemata are positive when person A makes advances toward an increase in intimacy with person B, then a positive outcome will likely occur. However, if even one schemata is negative, then this theory predicts that the relational advances made by person A will result in a negative response from person B (p. 259-260).

It does seem that in order for there to be a positive response and an increase in intimacy, several of Andersen’s schemata must be in place. I do think, however, that there are a couple schematas that could be negative and not cause a negative response from person B, the recipient of the advances. For example, the 6th schemata considers the Psychological and Physical State of person B. This schemata states that if person B is not feeling well, he/she will not respond positively toward person A’s advances. However, this is dependent upon how person B feels toward person A. If person B has desired a relationship with person A prior to person A’s advances, then it’s likely person B will not dismiss the opportunity for relational intimacy simply because they are not feeling well at that given moment.