Psychology - Friendship What Is Term Paper

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Whereas more substantive friendships are characterized by shared philosophies, fundamental beliefs, moral values, and principles, superficial friendships usually reflect nothing more than the fact that two individuals share a circumstance (such as a place of employment) or a superficial interest (such as sports).

Meaningful Friendships:

More significant friendships are those between individuals who choose each other's friendship specifically rather than the types of relationships between individuals who just happen to share circumstances or superficial interests. In fact, because genuine friendships are based on fundamental shared attitudes and beliefs, they need not necessarily share any other of the superficial bases of work friendships or hobbyists.

Genuine friends may have nothing in common in terms of interests or lifestyle; they may not even see each other very often compared to friends with whom we share workspaces or bowling schedules. Genuine friendships share essential characteristics of honesty and substantial (if not full) mutual disclosure of personal thoughts and feelings. They provide psychological support and concern for each other's well-being, even from a distance. In this respect, the essential characteristics of genuine friendships resemble the idealistic image that many associate with and expect from family relationships or romantic partners.


Romantic Friendships:

Ideally, love relationships should include a friendship component that is at least equal to the closest friendships that individuals maintain with their friends. In many ways, friendship is the core of romantic relationships that lies under the physical attraction and superficial similarities that ordinarily draw people together. Naturally, in the early stages of romantic interest or infatuation, other elements like physical attraction and compatible age, social interests, and often ethnic, cultural, and religious heritage play a much more important role. However, once romantic relationships are established, one of the most important predictors of long-term success or failure of the relationship is probably determined by the quality and mutuality of the friendship between partners.

Conclusion:

Friendships exist in many different forms ranging from people who hardly know each other but happen to share a schedule, circumstance, or a hobby to the types of friendships that are, in principle, more substantial or genuine, and based on shared fundamental beliefs and mutual concern. In that sense, genuine friendships often resemble family relationships despite the absence of blood ties, whereas superficial friendships do not ordinarily extend beyond the workplace or hobbyists' arena......

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