In Sociology and in Popular Culture , involve Social associations, connections, or Affiliation s between two or more people. These people may interact overtly or covertly; they may operate face-to-face or they may remain effectively unknown to each other — such as those in a Virtual Community who may maintain anonymity and not socialize together outside of a Chat Room .
Sometimes an observer can detect explicit interactions that define an interpersonal relationship — such as Body-language or Dialogue . Erving Goffman and his followers see any public appearance as a Ritual built from a "ceremonial idiom".
Christian Bromberger, « Paraître en public », (" To appear in public") ''.
Erving Goffman , (1967) '' Interaction Ritual '' p.56
Implicit interactions include standing in a shopping-line or in an emergency-room. Most actions consist of a mixture of both explicit and implicit interactions. An interpersonal interaction can constitute a social transaction, as in the form: "you scratch my back, I'll scratch yours". Some transactions facilitate further interaction between the participants and some constitute "show-stoppers". Interpersonal violence consist of action, interaction and transaction, which doesn't always terminate the relationship.
Context has great importance when meaningfully describing a particular interaction between people. Meaning itself results from interpersonal interactions, most significantly in the Developmental Stage of life with peers, parents and teachers. Socialization transmits Culture . Culture — in the light of Social Constructionism — forms how people construct their world and the relationships in it.
Analysts of interpersonal relationship may view a relationship as (such as the sales-oriented relationship between a sales assistant and a customer) or as '''unfocused'''' (as between passengers on a bus). People traveling to a football-match share a relationship whether they support the same team or opposing teams. The significance of the relationship may not become apparent until they cheer or boo. In each case culture will tend to define the forms of both accepted and unacceptable interactions.
Interpersonal relationships vary in their degree of Self-disclosure , Feedback , Power and respect — to name but a few aspects. They vary in the extent to which culture and language define or construct them. They vary in the degree to which people can question, challenge or change the relationship, which itself can demonstrate power-differentials in a variety of interpersonal relationships and settings.
Relationships vary in the degree to which Intimacy and sharing occur — implying the discovery or establishment of Common Ground . They may or may not center around things shared in common.
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Examples of categories of personal relationships may include:
- Kinship relationships (including Family relationships) involve relating to someone else:
- --- genetically ( Consanguinity , as for example in fatherhood, motherhood)
- --- through Marriage ( Affinity , as for example as a father-in-law, mother-in-law, uncle by marriage, aunt by marriage)
- formalized Intimate Relationship s or Long-term Relationship s recognized by Law and formalized through public Ceremony (for example, the relationships of Marriage and of Civil Union )
- non-formalized Intimate Relationship s or Long-term Relationship s such as Loving relationships or romantic relationships with or without Living Together ; with the "other person" often called ''lover'', Boyfriend or Girlfriend (as distinct from ''just'' a male or female friend), or " Significant Other ". If the partners live together, the relationship may resemble marriage, with the other person possibly called " Husband " or " Wife ". ( Scottish Common Law can regard such couples as such after a time. Compare the French term ''maîtresse en titre''), as exemplified by the career of Madame De Pompadour .
- Soulmate s, individuals intimately drawn to one another through a favorable " Meeting Of Minds " and who find mutual acceptance and/or understanding with one another. Soulmates may feel themselves bonded together for a lifetime; and hence may become Sexual Partners — but not necessarily.
- Casual Relationship s, sexual relationships extending beyond " One-night Stand s" that exclusively consist of Sexual Behavior ; one can label the participants as " Friends With Benefits " when limited to considering Sexual Intercourse , or regard them as Sexual Partner s in a wider sense.
- Platonic Love , an affectionate relationship into which the sexual element does not enter, especially in cases where one might easily assume otherwise (especially a male-female relationship).
- Friendship , which consists of mutual love, trust, respect, and (often unconditional) acceptance; and usually implies the discovery or establishment of common ground between the individuals involved; see also Internet Friendship , Pen Pal , and Amateur Radio .
- Brotherhood and Sisterhood , individuals united in a common cause or having a common interest, which may involve formal membership in a Club , Organization , Association , Society , Lodge , Fraternity Or Sorority . This type of interpersonal relationship also includes the Comradeship /cameraderie of fellow Soldiers in Peace or War .
- partners or co-workers in a Profession , Business , or a common workplace. Compare Team .
- participation in a Community , for example, a Community Of Interest or Practice .
- association, simply knowing someone by introduction or knowing someone by interaction.
Social Psychology and related spheres propose several approaches to the subject of interpersonal relationships, among them:
- Closure and Trust , as trust between parties can become Mutual . This may lead to enduring relationships.
- Social Exchange Theory , which interprets relationships in terms of exchanged benefits. People will regard relationships in the light of the rewards of the relationship, as well as rewards they may potentially receive in alternate relationships.
- Systemic Coaching , which analyzes relationships as expressions of a perceived human need to love and be loved. Transference s, entanglements and substitution can complicate relationships. Systemic coaching claims to offer solutions for many difficulties in relationships.
- Equity Theory , which stems from a criticism of social exchange theory. Proponents argue that people care about more than just maximizing rewards: they also allegedly want fairness and equity in their relationships.
- vs. connection, novelty vs. predictability, and Openness vs. closedness.
- Attachment Styles , which analyze relationships in yet another way. Proponents of this view argue that attachment styles developed in childhood continue influential throughout adulthood, influencing the roles people adopt in relationships.
- Socionics and some other theories of psychological Compatibility consider interpersonal relationships as at least partly dependent on the Psychological Types of partners.
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