an interpersonal relationship between two interdependent people that is mutually productive and characterized by mutual positive regard

Reciprocity friendship
each individual shares equally in giving and receiving the benefits and rewards of the relationship

Receptivity friendship
an imbalance in giving and receiving; one person is the primary giver and one the primary receiver

Association friendship
a friendly relationship rather than a true friendship; no great giving or receiving

Culture: collectivist cultures value friendships more than individualist
Gender: women's friendships are built on disclosure and intimacy; men's are on shared activities
Technology: network convergence: as friends grow close, their online social networks overlap

Family Types

Conformity Orientation- degree to which family members agree on attitudes, values, and beliefs
High Conformity- harmonious, children agree with parents
Low Conformity- greater conflict, children permitted to disagree with parents

Family and Communication: Equity Pattern
Equal Share in communication transaction
Equal Power
Equitable Relationship

Family and Communication: Balanced Split Pattern
Equal Relationship but each is dominant in a specific domain

Family and Communication: Unbalanced Split Pattern
One Person is more regularly in control of the relationship
More Powerful, looks, expertise, money

Family and Communication: Monopoly Pattern
One Person is the authority, controls the other
Lectures instead of communicates

Family, Culture, Gender, and Technology
Culture: cultural differences influences families and family relationships

Family, Culture, Gender, and Technology
Gender: In some cultures only males can dissolve a marriage

Family, Culture, Gender, and Technology
Technology: in some cases, technology contributes to decreased family communication

Romantic Relationships at Work: Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages: Easy place to meet Romantic Partner
Can lead to greater work satisfaction
Disadvantages: Can cause negative gossip
Can cause problems for managers
Can cause problems for one-sided romances or after a break-up

Workplace Communication: lateral
between equals

Workplace Communication: Upward
lower to upper levels in the higherarchy

Workplace Communication: Downward
higher to lower levels

Workplace Communication: Grapevine Messages
Dont follow formal lines; not yet public, more interpersonal messages

Networking Relationships: Informal and Formal
Informal: everyday interactions
Formal: systematic and strategic

Attraction theory

you develop relationships on the basis of such factors as physical appearance and personality, proximity, similarity, socioeconomic and educational status, and the perception of reciprocity of liking

Social exchange theory

tries to answer the question of why some relationships last and others don't, and is based on an economic model of profits and losses

Equity theory

claims that you develop and maintain relationships in which your ratio of rewards to costs is approximately equal to your partner's

Relationship dialectics theory

tries to answer the question of the conflicting motives that people in relationships often experience

a broad process of enlisting the aid of other people to help you solve a problem or to offer insights that bear on your problem

Holds that people form relationships on the basis
of attraction
Physical attractiveness and personality: Its's easily appreciated that people like physically attractive people more than they like physically unattractive people. Additionally, you probably tend to like people who have a pleasant rather than unpleasant personality, although people differ on what is an attractive personality to them and what it isn't.
Similarity: if you could construct your mate, it's likely that your mate would look, act, and think very much like you.
Proximity: If you look around at people you find attractive, you will probably find that they are the people who live or work close to you.
Reinforcement: You're attracted to people who give rewards or reinforcements, which can range from a simple compliment to an expensive cruise.
Reciprocity of liking: You tend to be attracted to people you think are attracted to you; you come to like those who appear to like you.

Relationships such as friendship, love, family, and
work are held together by adherence to certain rules.
Friendship rules include such behavior as standing up for your friend in his or her absence, sharing information and feelings about successes, demonstrating emotional support for your friend, trusting and offering to help your friend in need, and trying to make your friend happy when you're together.
Romantic rules: Acknowledge each other's individual identities, and live beyond the relationship. Express similar attitudes, beliefs, values, and interests. Enhance each other's self-worth and self-esteem. Be open, genuine, and authentic to each other. Remain loyal and faithful to each other. Have substantial shared time together. Reap rewards commensurate with their investments relative to the other party. Experience a mysterious and inexplicable "magic" in each other's presence.
Family rules: Like the rules of friendship and lovers, family rules tell you which behaviors will be rewarded and which will be punished.
Workplace rules: Work very hard. Be cooperative in teams; the good of the company comes first. Don't reveal company policies and plans to workers at competing firms. Don't form romantic relationships with other workers. Avoid even the hint of sexual harassment.