Question

John and Samantha are in a long-term, committed relationship. One Saturday night, John says "Let's do something new. I really want to go to a new restaurant in Central Square and then check out a bar around there." Samantha replies, "I would much rather go to the Cheesecake Factory like we always do and then go to Conor's, like we always." John and Samantha then get into a small conflict over what they are going to do. According to Dialectic's Theory, John and Samantha are dealing with a tension between:

A: Certainty and uncertainty
B: Connectedness and autonomy
C: Openness and closedness
D: Affection and instrumentality

Answer 1

John and Samantha's conflict illustrates a Dialectical Theory tension between certainty and uncertainty, where John seeks novelty while Samantha prefers their routine.

Step-by-step explanation:

John and Samantha are experiencing a tension between certainty and uncertainty. John is seeking a change, or uncertainty, by wanting to explore a new restaurant and a new bar, which represents a desire for novel experiences. On the other hand, Samantha prefers the known and predictable, or certainty, by suggesting they go to their usual spots. This scenario reflects a classic tension described in Dialectical Theory, where individuals in a relationship must balance the comfort of known routines with the excitement of new experiences.