Interpersonal Relationships (Part 3) Types

When two individuals feel comfortable in each other’s company and decide to be with each other, they enter into a relationship.  A close association between individuals who share common interests and goals is called interpersonal relationship.  Individuals who are compatible with each other enter into an interpersonal relationship. People must gel well for a strong and healthy relationship.

All interpersonal relationships are not the same. These bonds are defined by different expectations between the individuals and the context of their relationships. There are five basic categories of these relationships. Let's look at each category now, what differentiates them, and how they serve to meet our needs.

1. Family

This is the first type of interpersonal bond we form, beginning in infancy as we depend on our caretakers. There are many different roles within the family category of relationships, including mother, father, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, and more. The importance and nature of these relationships vary from person to person and the roles are defined by a combination of biological kinship and cultural norms.

Families are responsible for protecting children and meeting their physical needs for survival while also providing emotional support and education. In healthy family relationships, the emotional needs and the physical needs should be met for the child. As a person grows into adulthood, the relationships with family members change and the child can increasingly provide emotional and physical support for their caretakers. It is important to note that this is the only category of interpersonal relationship that is not voluntary.

2. Friendship

Friendships often share the same, or sometimes greater, level of intimacy as family relationships. The major difference is that friendship is a voluntary bond entered into by both parties rather than formed as a by-product of biology. People are free to enter into friendships with anyone but the initial attachment usually forms through shared interests, experiences, and attitudes. As the friendship develops into a stronger relationship, the intimacy of emotion and knowledge of one another grows.

Friendship can be between:

§  Man and a woman

§  Man and man

§  Woman and woman

3. Romantic Partners

These relationships are often the most intimate in a person's life, emotionally and certainly physically. Healthy relationships with romantic partners are characterized by deep attachment, passion, trust, and respect. Emotionally, these relationships are as close as the best of friends with the personal support and impact of family. Romantic relationships can often lead to a concurrent familial relationship if the partnership undergoes cultural marriage rituals or bears children or both.

4. Platonic Relationship

A relationship between two individuals without any feelings or sexual desire for each other is called a platonic relationship.  In such a relationship, a man and a woman are just friends and don’t mix love with friendship. Platonic relationships might end in a romantic relationship with both the partners developing mutual love and falling for each other.

5. Professional Relationship (Work Relationship)

Individuals working together for the same organization are said to share a professional relationship.  Individuals sharing a professional relationship are called colleagues. Colleagues may or may not like each other.

So, friends, I hope that you have learned the different types of interpersonal relationship that will be very helpful in your practical life. Please subscribe to this blog, like the article, share with your friends and relatives and give your valuable comments. Wish you all the best.