A Research Study On Friendship Formation

The attraction theory of similarity is described in the book as simply that “people tend to like other people who are similar to themselves” (Social Psychology, 98). There are five main reasons that similarity

In chapter 8 Looking Out Looking in by Ronald. B. Adler it talks about why we form relationships , well most people desire relationships. Appearance is especially important in relationships whether it is in person or social media. Appearance is also the most important feature people look for, skills and intelligence are secondary. Being in a relationship causes partners to create positive illusions. In relationships we also look for similarity we like people who are similar to us. Similarity is more important to relational happiness than communication ability. Similarity also helps us overcome trivial differences. Complementarily differences are the differences a relationship has between each other. Complementarily differences strengthen relationships

Knapp, M. L., Vangelisti, A. L. (2005). Interpersonal Communication and HumanRelationships. (5th ed.) Boston: Pearson.

Despite the numerous different theories consisting of different stages of friendship they all contain certain aspects of relationships going through stages of increasing familiarity. They all show how we select friends through a stage model and how relationships also break down in stages. They provide Factors that increase friendship like after helping another person we like them more due to feelings and emotions such as empathy, or a decline in a relationship by the need for too much help and support that can cause stress and anxieties. If we feel empathy we are likely to help, and there are several factors that increase chances of friendship,

Blau states that “social attraction is the force that induces human beings to establish social associations on their own initiative and to expand the scope of their associations once they have been

why we form relationships eventually lead to a deeper level of connection, the intensifying and

Proximity or being close to a person has a big influence on our choice of friends or romantic partners, previous research suggests that the

Throughout this essay I will be evaluating the contribution of an ethnographic approach to research on friendship. I will be looking at, and including evidence to support both sides of the argument as to whether or not this research method is in fact useful when it comes to gaining knowledge about friendship. As well as evaluating this method, I will compare it against others to reflect on the strengths, weaknesses and the typical data collected. I will look at some of the questions about friendship that have been addressed, and then whether this is the best method or if there are others that could have been more suitable.

The theories I will focus on in this essay is Social Penetration Theory and Uncertainty Reduction Theory. The reason I choose both these theories focus on initial interactions with stingers and how relationships develop. The social penetration theory is an objective theory (A First Look at Communication, page 93) uses the example of peeling an onion. It shows the “multilayered structure of personality.” The theory explains that as you go from not knowing someone and over time developing a more personal relationship through stages of disclosure. The other theory I will highlight will be Uncertainty Reduction Theory which follows seven main assumptions on how we develop information about a new acquaintance in order to lower uncertainty and predict others behaviors. Overall I will outline the core beliefs of these two theories and tie them together as how they both help us develop relationships with new people. And explain how we interact in new social settings. Both these objective theories show similar links but in some ways are different.

Throughout history, friendship is revered and has often been romanticised. It is a relatively new area of sociological study. Research has transferred the focus from personal interactions and the psychology of friendships to the social structures that influence and underpin them. This shift in the sociological view of friendship reflects a growing interest in mixed methodologies when carrying out research. As social structures bind a friendship in terms of manners agreed between its participants, so their rituals and routines become particular to those people in their understanding of the relationship. Understanding the effect of class and gender

The intimacy level of communication content is inversely related to information seeking (T12) and reciprocity rate (T13) and is positively related to liking (T14) and similarity (T15). Information seeking is positively related to reciprocity rate (T16) and is negatively related to liking (T17) and similarity (T18). Reciprocity rate is inversely related to liking (T19) and similarity (T20). Similarity and liking (T21) are positively related.

For years the formation of friendship has been evaluated through the eyes of psychology on how friendships actual form. There

Proximity allows us to get to know a person more, for the exposure we had with them makes it less frightening to interact with them. Exposure increases attraction. However, when the initial interaction was unpleased, repeated exposure will not increase attention. Decrease on repeated exposure only happens when initial interaction was

Human relationships are the foundation of human life, they strongly influence other individual’s behaviour (Bercheid et al., 2000). There are different types of relationships such as co workers, friendship, marriage which all involve a connection and therefore is an important characteristic of the formation of human relationships (Salisch 1996). The purpose of this essay is to explore research within human relationships and the relevant social psychological theories that have been linked with this conflicting topic. The theories that will be discussed throughout this essay will be the attribution theory, social learning theory, social exchange, attachment theory, evolutionary theory and the breakdown of relationships. This would initially

Social interaction is a key concept and necessity each individual experiences. Throughout the lifespan there are different engagements he or she will interact with. There are many different aspects on how one’s social life can be affected, positively or negatively. Social interaction is one of the most important determinants in foreseeing how one is going to develop physically, emotionally, and mentally. This can include milestones that are passed successfully and others that were thwarted in the process.