the more serious the intrusion (for example, violence), the more formal the coping response (for example, calling the police). ORI behavior, as well as non-ORI sexually coercive behavior, can involve types of coercion identified as deception coercion, mild force coercion, psychological coercion and severe force coercion. Stalking Stalking, a severe form of ORI, is typically defined as "the willful, malicious, and repeated following and harassing of another persons that threatens his or her safety". Connection between ORI and stalking Spitzberg and Cupach state more research is needed to correctly capture the connection, but ORI and stalking are pervasive and impactful occurrences. A clearer picture is needed to better understand the incidence, prevalence and consequences of ORI and stalking. Better understanding will provide improvements in prevention, intervention and treatment of offenders and victims. Authors The authors Brian Spitzberg and William Cupach developed ORI in 1998, and published their research in their book The Dark Side of Close Relationships. Social theory use of ORI Relational Goal Pursuit Theory According to the Relational Goal Pursuit Theory (RGPT), people expend energy to develop or reinitiate relationships to the extent that they perceive a relationship desirable and attainable. It becomes all about achieving the goal of a relationship. ORI occurs when people continue to believe that a relationship is attainable even though it is not. The pursuer begins to escalate when they meet challenges to their goal. RGPT identifies processes that conspire to transform otherwise normal relationships into ORI and stalking. All relationships begin with a goal to pursuit. The following are some rules: Obsessive pursuers link the relationship to higher order goals, such as happiness and self-worth This linking results in exaggerated positive attitudes regarding the success of the relational goal There is an exaggerated positive attitude regarding the success of the relational goal Linking also produces exaggerated negative attitudes towards failure of the relational goal This failure produces heightened negative emotions The linking renders goal abandonment as unlikely These exaggerated attitudes reinforce the importance of the relational goal The strength of the attitudes can predict persistence Other reasons for ORI use Cultural scripts – if people play hard to get enough, eventually win the affection of person trying to love – usually work against the realization that the relationship is unattainable. Ambiguous communication – initiation, reinitiating and rejection of relationships may keep hope alive. Using indirect signals to reject people because they are