Final answer:
Two people become a couple at the mutual dependence stage of the wheel theory of love, where both partners rely on each other emotionally and recognize their interdependence, reflecting intimacy and commitment.
Step-by-step explanation:
At what stage in the wheel theory of love would two people become a couple? The correct answer is D. mutual dependence. In the context of the wheel theory of love, which involves a progression through different stages of relationship development, mutual dependence indicates a stage where both partners rely on each other emotionally and perhaps in other significant ways. This is the point where the couple has moved past initial attraction and self-revelation to form a strong bond and recognize their interdependence, reflecting both intimacy and commitment aspects of Sternberg's triangular theory of love.
Reciprocity and self-disclosure are important elements in the formation and deepening of relationships, as they contribute to intimacy. According to social exchange theory, the satisfaction and maintenance of a relationship are influenced by the perceived balance of costs and benefits, including emotional investments like mutual dependence. In this stage, both partners have likely navigated through self-disclosure, building rapport, and are now at a point of experiencing mutual dependence which solidifies their status as a couple.