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An intimate relationship is an interpersonal relationship that involves physical or emotional intimacy. Physical intimacy is characterized by romantic or passionate attachment or sexual activity. While the term ''intimate relationship'' commonly implies the inclusion of a sexual relationship, the term is also used as a euphemism for a relationship that is strictly sexual. Intimate relationships play a central role in the overall human experience.〔Miller, Rowland & Perlman, Daniel (2008). ''Intimate Relationships (5th ed.)''. McGraw-Hill. ISBN 978-0-07-337018-7〕 Humans have a general desire to belong and to love, which is usually satisfied within an intimate relationship.〔Perlman, D. (2007). The best of times, the worst of times: The place of close relationships in psychology and our daily lives. ''Canadian Psychology'', 48, 7–18.〕 These relationships involve feelings of liking or loving one or more people, romance, physical or sexual attraction, sexual relationships, or emotional and personal support between the members.〔 Intimate relationships allow a social network for people to form strong emotional attachments.〔 == Intimacy == ''Intimacy'' generally refers to the feeling of being in a close personal association and belonging together. It is a familiar and very close affective connection with another as a result of a bond that is formed through knowledge and experience of the other. Genuine intimacy in human relationships requires dialogue, transparency, vulnerability, and reciprocity. The verb "intimate" means "to state or make known". The activity of intimating (making known) underpins the meanings of "intimate" when used as a noun and adjective. The noun "intimate" means a person with whom one has a particularly close relationship. This was clarified by Dalton (1959) who discusses how anthropologists and ethnographic researchers access "inside information" from within a particular cultural setting by establishing networks of intimates capable (and willing) to provide information unobtainable through formal channels.〔Dalton, M. (1959) ''Men Who Manage'', New York: Wiley.〕 The adjective "intimate" indicates detailed knowledge of a thing or person (e.g., "an intimate knowledge of engineering" and "an intimate relationship between two people").〔(Ridley-Duff, R.J. (2010) ''Emotion, Seduction and Intimacy: Alternative Perspectives on Human Behaviour'' (Third Edition), Seattle: Libertary Editions ), ISBN 978-1-935961-00-0〕 In human relationships, the meaning and level of intimacy varies within and between relationships. In anthropological research, intimacy is considered the product of a successful seduction, a process of rapport building that enables parties to confidently disclose previously hidden thoughts and feelings. Intimate conversations become the basis for "confidences" (secret knowledge) that bind people together.〔Moore, M. (1985) "Nonverbal Courtship Patterns in Women: Contact and Consequences", ''Ethnology and Sociobiology'', 6: 237–247.〕〔(Ridley-Duff, R.J. (2005) "Interpersonal Dynamics: A Communitarian Perspective", paper to the ''1st ENROAC-MCA Conference'' 7–9 April, Antwerp ).〕 To sustain intimacy for any length of time requires well-developed emotional and interpersonal awareness. Intimacy requires an ability to be both separate and together participants in an intimate relationship. Murray Bowen called this "self-differentiation". It results in a connection in which there is an emotional range involving both robust conflict, and intense loyalty.〔Aronson, E. (2003) ''The Social Animal'', Ninth Edition, New York: Worth Publishers.〕 Lacking the ability to differentiate oneself from the other is a form of symbiosis, a state that is different from intimacy, even if feelings of closeness are similar. From a center of self-knowledge and self differentiation, intimate behavior joins family members and close friends as well as those in love. It evolves through reciprocal self-disclosure and candor. Poor skills in developing intimacy can lead to getting too close too quickly; struggling to find the boundary and to sustain connection; being poorly skilled as a friend, rejecting self-disclosure or even rejecting friendships and those who have them.〔Vitalio, D. (2005) Be Your Woman's Hero, not Wuss: Part 1, internet newsletter 21 April 2005.〕 Psychological consequences of intimacy problems are found in adults who have difficultly in forming and maintaining intimate relationships. Individuals often experience the human limitations of their partners, and develop a fear of adverse consequences of disrupted intimate relationships. Studies show that fear of intimacy is negatively related to comfort with emotional closeness and with relationship satisfaction, and positively related to loneliness and trait anxiety.〔Khaleque, A. (2004). Intimate Adult Relationships, Quality of Life and Psychological Adjustment. Social Indicators Research, 69, 351-360.〕 抄文引用元・出典: フリー百科事典『 ウィキペディア（Wikipedia）』 ■ウィキペディアで「Intimate relationship」の詳細全文を読む スポンサード リンク
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