Outline of relationships


The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to interpersonal relationships.
Interpersonal relationship - association between two or more people; this association may be based on limerence, love, solidarity, regular business interactions, or some other type of social commitment. Interpersonal relationships are formed in the context of social, cultural, and other influences.

Essence of relationships

  • Social relations - relationship between two, three or more individuals. Social relations, derived from individual agency, form the basis of social structure.
  • Social actions - acts which take into account the actions and reactions of individuals. According to Max Weber, "an action is 'social' if the acting individual takes account of the behavior of others and is thereby oriented in its course".

Types of relationships

Membership in a social group

Social group - consists of two or more humans who interact with one another, share similar characteristics and collectively have a sense of unity. By this definition, a society can be viewed as a large group, though most social groups are considerably smaller.
  • Dyad - group of two people. "Dyadic" is an adjective used to describe this type of communication/interaction. A dyad is the smallest possible social group.
  • Triad - group of three people. They are more stable than a dyad. Reduces intense interaction and is based less on personal attachments and more on formal rules and regulations.

Household membership

Household — one or more persons who share main residence, and share meals or living space

Peer group membership

Organization membership

An organization is a social group which distributes tasks for a collective goal. There are a variety of legal types of organizations, including:

Community membership

Community

Intimate relationships

Intimate relationship

Business and professional relationships

Education and school-related relationships

Other types of relationships

Relations (relationship activities)

Relationship formation

Human mating is the process whereby an individual seeks out another individual with the intention of forming a long-term intimate relationship or marriage, but sometimes for casual relationship or friendship.

Sexual relations

Dysfunctional relations

Abusive relations

Abuse

End of a relationship

Reasons for ending a relationship

Theories of interpersonal relations

Relationship characteristics

Aspects of relationships include:

Stages of a relationship

  • Stages presented in George Levinger's relationship model:
  • # Acquaintance
  • # Buildup
  • # Continuation
  • # Deterioration
  • # ''Termination''

Feelings and emotions

Sexual orientation

Romantic orientation

Relationship partners

Terms for partners in intimate relationships include:

Relationship management

Relationship intervention

Relationship development

Terms for people who want to develop their relationships include:

Lacking an intimate relationship

Romance and intimacy

;Courtship -
;Romance -
;Intimacy

Other