Friendship, Love, Family

1
Friendship, Love, Family
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The role of Interdependence

• Three criteria are critical to interdependence in
  our relationships.
• We have to interact frequently.
•  We need to engage in a variety
• of activities together.
•  We need to influence each other's behavior.

3
The role of interpersonal trust

• Interpersonal trust is the degree to which we
  feel safe in disclosing personal information to
  another person

4
Interpersonal trust vs. other types of trust

• Trust in someones ability
• (e.g., a car mechanic, an accountant)
• Trust in someones regard for your welfare
• (e.g., a physician)

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The role of trust

• High level of trust permits people to
  self-disclose.
• Self-disclosure, in turn, brings intimacy.  
• Self-disclosure brings better understanding and
  empathy. Affection. Emotional support.
• Sexual contact does not have to be the result of
  all of the above, but is a natural next step.
• (sexual relationship alone does not indicate
  intimacy).

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Friendships

• Friends are people who (generally)
• are liked,
• (whose) company is enjoyed,
• share interests and activities,
• are helpful and understanding,
• can be trusted,
• with whom one feels comfortable, and
• will be emotionally supportive.

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Characteristics of Friendships

•  voluntary
•  informal
• personalistic focus
• hierarchy and authority are not relevant
  (equality)
•  concerned mainly with sociability 

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Psychological Processes Underlying Friendship

• We tend to form friendships with people who
  support our self-concepts and whose behavior is
  predictable.
•  Social exchange theory we remain friends with
  people because our exchange of resources with
  them is equitable.
•  An alternative explanation the idea that
  friendships are communal relationships.

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Communication in Close Friendships

• High levels of
•  
• Affection 
• Depth of communication 
• Receptivity
• Composure
• Equality

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Communication in Close Friendships

• Low levels of
•  
• Formality
• Task-orientation 
• Domination

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Romantic Relationships

• The Triangular Theory of Love
• Intimacy involves feelings of closeness and
  support  
• Passion refers to our physiological arousal and
  desire to be united with our romantic partner.
•  Commitment includes a short-term decision to
  love our romantic partner and a long-term
  decision to maintain the relationship.

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Taxonomy of kinds of love

• Nonlove (the three components are low or absent)
• Liking (intimacy is high commitment and passion
  are low or absent)
• Infatuation (passion is high commitment and
  intimacy are low or absent)
• Empty (commitment is high passion and intimacy
  are low or absent).

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Taxonomy of kinds of love

• Romantic (high levels of intimacy and passion
  commitment is low or absent)
• Companionate (high levels of commitment and
  intimacy passion is low or absent)
• Consummate (high levels of passion, intimacy, and
  commitment the ideal love).

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Another taxonomy

• Eros Beauty and Sexuality
• Ludus Entertainment and excitement (love as a
  game)
• Storge Peaceful and slow (familial love, lacks
  passion and intensity)
• Pragma Practical and traditional
• Mania Elation and depression
• Agape Compassionate and selfless