Personal Relationships

Bibliographic Data

ID24221193
AuthorsPhilip Blumstein (University of Washington), Peter Kollock (University of Washington)
Year1988
Volume14
Issue1
Pages467-490
Publication date1988-08-01
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessNo
TypeARTICLE
VenueAnnual Review of Sociology (BOOK_SERIES)
Journal identifiersISSN: 0360-0572 • E-ISSN: 1545-2115
PublisherAnnual Reviews (PUBLISHER • US)
DOI10.1146/annurev.so.14.080188.002343
OpenAlexW4230469498
LanguageEN
Citations received25

In this chapter we review recent literature on personal relationships. Conceptual issues are raised regarding the definition of close or personal relationships, and various approaches to the subject matter are characterized. We then consider the problem of creating a property space of types of relationships, necessary, we think, for the mature development of the field. We advocate and illustrate a comparative approach to personal relationships in which theoretically crucial relationship types are used to illuminate important substantive questions. Research is discussed on several core topics in the general study of close relationships: interdependence patterns, justice, emotions, private culture, and the interpersonal construction of the self. We then turn to a processual organization of the literature on relationships, focusing on the stages of a relationship—buildup, continuation, deterioration, and ending. We conclude with a plea for sociologists to broaden their interests to cover the full domain of close relationships and to use to their fullest advantage the insights of psychologists who are working in this area.

Breakup · close relationships · Interdependence · interpersonal relationships · relationship deterioration · relationship development stages · relationship type · Attachment and Relationship Dynamics · Family Dynamics and Relationships · Social Power and Status Dynamics

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