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6 Types of Relationships and Their Effect on Your Life

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Dr. Sabrina Romanoff, PsyD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and a professor at Yeshiva University’s clinical psychology doctoral program.

Verywell / Laura Porter

What Is a Relationship?

Basic types of relationships, defining your relationship, how to keep your relationship healthy.

Interpersonal relationships make up a huge and vital part of your life. These relationships can range from close and intimate to distant and challenging. No matter the nature of the relationship, different types of relationships help make up the social support network that is pivotal for both your physical and mental well-being.

To better understand and discuss these relationships accurately, it can be helpful to learn more about the different types of relationships that a person can have. 

A relationship is any connection between two people, which can be either positive or negative.

You can have a relationship with a wide range of people, including family and friends. The phrase "being in a relationship," while often linked with romantic relationships, can refer to various associations one person has with another.

To "be in a relationship" doesn't always mean there is physical intimacy, emotional attachment, and/or commitment involved. People engage in many different types of relationships that have unique characteristics.

Relationships typically fall into one of several different categories (although these can sometimes overlap):

• Family relationships
• Friendships
• Acquaintances
• Romantic relationships
• Sexual relationships
• Work relationships
• Situational relationships (sometimes called " situationships ")

These different forms of relationships can vary greatly in terms of closeness, and there are also different subtypes of relationships within each of these basic types. Some of the different kinds of relationships that you might experience at some point in your life include the following.

While there are many different types of relationships, the four main types are typically identified as family relationships, romantic relationships, friendships, and acquaintanceships.

Platonic Relationships

A platonic relationship is a type of friendship that involves a close, intimate bond without sex or romance. These relationships tend to be characterized by:

• Understanding

Platonic relationships can occur in a wide range of settings and can involve same-sex or opposite-sex friendships. You might form a platonic relationship with a classmate or co-worker, or you might make a connection with a person in another setting such as a club, athletic activity, or volunteer organization you are involved in.

This type of relationship can play an essential role in providing social support, which is essential for your health and well-being. Research suggests that platonic friendships can help reduce your risk for disease, lower your risk for depression or anxiety, and boost your immunity.

Platonic relationships are those that involve closeness and friendship without sex. Sometimes platonic relationships can change over time and shift into a romantic or sexual relationship.

Romantic Relationships

Romantic relationships are those characterized by feelings of love and attraction for another person. While romantic love can vary, it often involves feelings of infatuation, intimacy, and commitment. 

Experts have come up with a variety of different ways to describe how people experience and express love. For example, psychologist Robert Sternberg suggests three main components of love: passion, intimacy, and decision/commitment. Romantic love, he explains, is a combination of passion and intimacy.

Romantic relationships tend to change over time. At the start of a relationship, people typically experience stronger feelings of passion. During this initial infatuation period, the brain releases specific neurotransmitters ( dopamine , oxytocin , and serotonin ) that cause people to feel euphoric and "in love." 

Over time, these feelings start to lessen in their intensity. As the relationship matures, people develop deeper levels of emotional intimacy and understanding.  

Romantic relationships often burn hot at the beginning. While the initial feelings of passion usually lessen in strength over time, feelings of trust, emotional intimacy, and commitment grow stronger.

Codependent Relationships

A codependent relationship is an imbalanced, dysfunctional type of relationship in which a partner has an emotional, physical, or mental reliance on the other person.

It is also common for both partners to be mutually co-dependent on each other. Both may take turns enacting the caretaker role, alternating between the caretaker and the receiver of care.

Characteristics of a codependent relationship include:

• Acting as a giver while the other person acts as a taker
• Going to great lengths to avoid conflict with the other person
• Feeling like you have to ask permission to do things
• Having to save or rescue the other person from their own actions
• Doing things to make someone happy, even if they make you uncomfortable
• Feeling like you don't know who you are in the relationship
• Elevating the other person even if they've done nothing to earn your goodwill and admiration

Not all codependent relationships are the same, however. They can vary in terms of severity. Codependency can impact all different types of relationships including relationships between romantic partners, parents and children, friendship, other family members, and even coworkers.

Codependent relationships are co-constructed. While one partner might seem more "needy," the other partner might feel more comfortable being needed.

Someone who feels more comfortable being needed, for instance, may avoid focusing on their own needs by choosing a partner who constantly needs them.

Casual Relationships

Casual relationships often involve dating relationships that may include sex without expectations of monogamy or commitment. However, experts suggest that the term is vague and can mean different things to different people. 

According to the authors of one study published in the Canadian Journal of Human Sexuality , casual relationships can encompass situations such as:

• One-night stands
• Booty calls
• "Sex" buddies
• Friends with benefits 

Such relationships often exist on a continuum that varies in the levels of frequency of contact, type of contact, amount of personal disclosure, discussion of the relationship, and degree of friendship. The study found that people with more sexual experience were better able to identify the definitions of these labels compared to people with less sexual experience.

Casual relationships are often common among young adults. As long as casual relationships are marked by communication and consent, they can have several sex-positive benefits. They can satisfy the need for sex, intimacy, connection, and companionship without the emotional demand and energy commitment of a more serious relationship.

Casual relationships tend to be more common among younger adults, but people of any age can engage in this type of relationship. Consent and communication are key.

Open Relationships

An open relationship is a type of consensually non-monogamous relationship in which one or more partners have sex or relationships with other people. Both people agree to have sex with other people in an open relationship but may have certain conditions or limitations.

Open relationships can take place in any type of romantic relationship, whether casual, dating, or married. 

There tends to be a stigma surrounding non-monogamous relationships. Still, research suggests that around 21% to 22% of adults will be involved in some type of open relationship at some point in their life.

The likelihood of engaging in an open relationship also depends on gender and sexual orientation. Men reported having higher numbers of open relationships compared to women; people who identify as gay, lesbian, and bisexual relative to those who identify as heterosexual were more likely to report previous engagement in open relationships.

Such relationships can have benefits, including increased sexual freedom and pitfalls such as jealousy and emotional pain. Open relationships are more successful when couples establish personal, emotional, and sexual boundaries and clearly communicate their feelings and needs with one another.

Open relationships are a form of consensual non-monogamy. While there is a primary emotional and often physical connection between the two people in the relationship, they mutually agree to intimacy with other people outside of the relationship.

Toxic Relationships

A toxic relationship is any type of interpersonal relationship where your emotional, physical, or psychological well-being is undermined or threatened in some way. Such relationships often leave you feeling ashamed, humiliated, misunderstood, or unsupported.

Any type of relationship can be toxic including friendships, family relationships, romantic relationships, or workplace relationships.

Toxic relationships are characterized by:

• A lack of support
• Competitiveness
• Controlling behaviors
• Gaslighting
• Passive-aggressive behaviors
• Poor communication

Sometimes all people in a relationship play a role in creating this toxicity. For example, you may be contributing to toxicity if you are all consistently unkind, critical, insecure, and negative.

In other cases, one person in a relationship may behave in ways that create toxic feelings. This may be intentional, but in other cases, people may not fully understand how they are affecting other people. Because of their past experiences with relationships, often in their home growing up, they may not know any other way of acting and communicating.

This doesn't just create discontentment—toxic relationships can take a serious toll on your health. For example, according to one study, stress caused by negative relationships has a direct impact on cardiovascular health. Feeling isolated and misunderstood in a relationship can also lead to loneliness , which has been shown to have detrimental effects on both physical and mental health.

Toxic relationships can be stressful, harmful, and even abusive. If you are in a toxic relationship with someone in your life, work on creating strong boundaries to protect yourself. Talk to a mental health professional or consider terminating the relationship if it is causing you harm.

If you or a loved one are a victim of domestic violence, contact the National Domestic Violence Hotline at 1-800-799-7233 for confidential assistance from trained advocates.

For more mental health resources, see our National Helpline Database .

How you define your relationship depends on various factors, including what matters to you and how the other person feels. To define your relationship, it can be helpful to ask a few questions:

• Do you have romantic feelings for one another?
• What does each person hope to get out of the relationship?
• How much time do you want to spend together?
• Where do you see the relationship going?
• Are you currently involved with or want to be involved with other people?

Figuring out what matters to you and your partner is an important step in defining the type of relationship you are interested in having. You might find that you are both on the same page or discover that you want different things out of your relationship. 

Defining your relationship doesn't have to mean committing for the long-term. Instead, it can be a way to help you both better understand the boundaries and expectations of your relationship.

Regardless of how you define your relationship, there are important steps you can take to ensure that your connection is healthy. Strategies that can help include:

• Showing appreciation and gratitude
• Communicating openly and honestly
• Being affectionate and showing that you care 
• Mutual respect 
• Actively listening
• Showing interest in each other
• Being supportive and encouraging
• Feeling empathy for each other
• Spending time together
• Having healthy boundaries
• Being trustworthy

Communication is often the single most important thing in a relationship. Good relationships are also marked by honesty, trust , and reciprocity . This doesn't mean that the relationship is purely transactional ; it indicates that you naturally engage in a give and take that provides mutually beneficial support.

A Word From Verywell

No matter what type of relationship you have with another person(s), it is important for it to be a healthy one. Healthy relationships are characterized by trust, mutual respect, openness, honesty, and affection. Good communication is also a hallmark of a healthy relationship.

There are steps that you can take to improve your relationships with other people. Making sure you let others know you care and showing your appreciation are two strategies that can be helpful. 

But if a relationship is causing stress or shows signs of being toxic, look for ways to establish clear boundaries, talk to a therapist, or even consider ending the relationship if it is too unhealthy.

Social relationships are important and they come in all different types. Having a variety of relationships with different people can ensure that you have the support and connections you need for your emotional health and well-being. 

Miller A. Friends wanted . Monitor on Psychology . 2014;45(1):54.

Gawda B. The structure of the concepts related to love spectrum: emotional verbal fluency technique application, initial psychometrics, and its validation . J Psycholinguist Res . 2019;48(6):1339-1361. doi:10.1007/s10936-019-09661-y

Wentland JJ, Reissing ED. Casual sexual relationships: Identifying definitions for one night stands, booty calls, f--- buddies, and friends with benefits . Can J Hum Sex. 2014;23(3):167-177. doi:10.3138/cjhs.2744

Rodrigue C, Fernet M. A metasynthesis of qualitative studies on casual sexual relationships and experiences . Can J Hum Sex . 2016;25(3):225-242. doi:10.3138/cjhs.253-a6

Haupert ML, Gesselman AN, Moors AC, Fisher HE, Garcia JR. Prevalence of experiences with consensual nonmonogamous relationships: Findings from two national samples of single Americans . J Sex Marital Ther . 2017;43(5):424-440. doi:10.1080/0092623X.2016.1178675

Birditt KS, Newton NJ, Cranford JA, Ryan LH. Stress and negative relationship quality among older couples: Implications for blood pressure . J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci . 2016;71(5):775-85. doi:10.1093/geronb/gbv023

Lavner JA, Bradbury TN.  Why do even satisfied newlyweds eventually go on to divorce? .  J Fam Psychol . 2012;26(1):1-10. doi:10.1037/a00259

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

Essays About Relationships: Top 5 Examples Plus 8 Prompts

With rich essays about relationships plus prompts, this writing guide could help you contemplate relationships, including your own.

Healthy relationships come with the rewards of intimacy, love, and the support we need. Learning to preserve healthy relationships and throw out harmful ones is a critical skill to lead a successful life. That is exactly why Warren Buffet , one of the most successful investors, said the most important decision you will make is your choice of a significant partner. 

There are several types of relationships your essay could focus on in your next piece of writing. Take a leap and tackle intimate individual-level relationships or community or even global-level relationships. You might also be interested in our list of books to read after a breakup .

5 Essay Examples

1. relationship weight gain is real — and can be a sign of happiness by angela haupt, 2. what does it mean to be ‘ready’ for a relationship by julie beck, 3. why adult children cut ties with their parents by sharon martin, 4. a relationship under extreme duress: u.s.-china relations at a crossroads by michael d. swaine, 5. how to build strong business relationships — remotely by jeanne m. brett and tyree mitchell, 1. strengthening communication in relationships, 2. helping children build healthy friendships, 3. how social media affects our relationships , 4. establishing relationships with influencers, 5. importance of police-community relationships, 6. dealing with challenging work relationships, 7. promoting cross-cultural relationships among schools, 8. why do long-term relationships fail.

“…[A]mong those who had been married for more than four years, happy couples were twice as likely to put on weight than couples who reported not being as content with their relationship.”

Gaining pounds when you’re in a relationship is real. This essay backs it up with research and even seeks to answer who puts on the most pounds in the relationship. For those hoping to transform their lifestyle, the essay offers practical tips couples can do together to lose pounds while protecting the relationship and preserving the joy that brought them together. You might also be interested in these essays about divorce .

“Readiness, then, is not a result of achieving certain life milestones, or perfect mental health. And checking off items on a checklist doesn’t guarantee a relationship when the checklist is complete.”

People have a variety of reasons for not being ready to commit to a relationship. They may be more committed to developing their careers or simply enjoy the solitude of singlehood. But this essay debunks the concept of readiness for building relationships. Through interviews, one finds that relationships can happen when you least expect them. You might also be interested in these essays about reflection .

“Parent-child relationships, in particular, are expected to be unwavering and unconditional. But this isn’t always the case—some adults cut ties with or distance themselves from their parents or other family members.”

No matter how painful it is, some adults decide to cut off family members to heal from a toxic or abusive childhood relationship or protect themselves if the abuse or toxicity continues. In exploring the primary causes of estrangement, the well-researched essay shows that estrangement may run deep with years of conflict and many attempts to recover the relationship, rather than merely being the whim of selfish adults.

“…Beijing and Washington are transitioning from a sometimes contentious yet mutually beneficial relationship to an increasingly antagonistic, mutually destructive set of interactions.”

The essay charts the 40-year relationship between China and the US and points out how both parties have mutually benefited from the bilateral relations. This starkly contrasts Washington’s accusation that the relationship has been a zero-sum game, one of the numerous oft-heard allegations in the Washington community. But with the looming increase in tension, competition, and potentially a devastating Cold War between the two, parties must work to find a middle ground.

“Although many managers have adapted to virtual meetings to replace face-to-face ones as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, developing new business relationships online presents a particular set of challenges.”

Authors interview 82 managers pre-pandemic and reconnect with some during the health crisis to find out how they have been building relationships with business partners through virtual meetings. Most admit the challenge of establishing trust and assessing partners’ competency, especially when billion-dollar deals are at stake. The authors offer four key pieces of advice to overcome these difficulties. You might find our guide on how to write a vow helpful.

8 Writing Prompts On Essays About Relationships

We all know that communication is what strengthens relationships. But this is easier said than done when both sides want to talk and not listen. For this prompt, discuss the importance of open communication in relationships. Then, offer tips on how to improve communication in relationships and deal with communication gaps. One scenario you can look into is discussing problems in a relationship without getting into a heated debate.

In this essay, you can help parents become effective coaches for their children to make and keep friends. Warn them against being too authoritative in directing their children and instead allow the kids to be part of the ongoing conversation. Give your readers tips on how to build friendships such as promoting kindness, sharing, and understanding from a young age. You may also enjoy these essays about friendships .

When writing this essay, list the positive and negative effects of social media on relationships. A positive outcome of having social media is 24/7 access to our loved ones. One negative effect includes decreased time for more meaningful physical bonding. So, provide tips on how people in relationships can start putting down their mobile phones and talk heart-to-heart again. 

Influencer marketing has become one of the most popular and effective ways to spread your brand message on social media. First, explore why consumers trust influencers as credible product or service review sources. Then, try to answer some of the burning questions your readers may have, such as whether influencer marketing works for big and small businesses and how to choose the perfect influencer to endorse your brand.

In a working police-community relationship, police officials and community members work together to fight crime through information-sharing and other measures. Discuss this interesting topic for an exciting essay.

First, look into the level of working relationship between the police and your community through existing enforcement programs. Then, with the data gathered, analyze how they cooperate to improve your community. You can also build on the United States Department of Justice’s recommendations to lay down the best practices for strengthening police-community relationships. 

Amid competition, a workplace must still be conducive to cooperative relationships among employees to work on shared goals. Create an essay that enumerates the negative effects of work relationships on employee productivity and an office’s overall performance. Then cite tips on what managers and employees can do to maintain a professional and diplomatic atmosphere in the workplace. You can include points from the University of Queensland recommendations, including maintaining respect.

Students in a foreign country tend to feel distant from school life and society. Schools have a critical role in helping them feel at home and safe enough to share their ideas confidently. Set out the other benefits school environments can reap from fostering robust cross-cultural relationships and cite best practices. One example of a best practice is the buddy system, where international students are linked to local students, who could help expand their networks in the facility and even show them around the area to reveal its attributes.

When couples make it through the seven-year itch or the average time relationships last, everything down the road is said to be more manageable. However, some couples break up even after decades of being together. Explore the primary causes behind the failure of long-term relationships and consider the first signs that couples are growing distant from each other.

Look into today’s social sentiments and determine whether long-term relationships are declining. If they are, contemplate whether this should be a cause for concern or merely an acceptable change in culture. For help with your essays, check out our round-up of the best essay checkers and our essay writing tips .

Yna Lim is a communications specialist currently focused on policy advocacy. In her eight years of writing, she has been exposed to a variety of topics, including cryptocurrency, web hosting, agriculture, marketing, intellectual property, data privacy and international trade. A former journalist in one of the top business papers in the Philippines, Yna is currently pursuing her master's degree in economics and business.

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Why Relationships Matter

Reviewed by Psychology Today Staff

Love is one of the most profound emotions known to human beings. There are many kinds of love, but many people seek its expression in a romantic relationship with a compatible partner (or partners). For these individuals, romantic relationships comprise one of the most meaningful aspects of life, and are a source of deep fulfillment.

While need for human connection appears to be innate, the ability to form healthy, loving relationships is learned. Some evidence suggests that the ability to form a stable relationship starts to form in infancy, in a child's earliest experiences with a caregiver who reliably meets the infant's needs for food, care, warmth, protection, stimulation, and social contact. Such relationships are not destiny, but they are theorized to establish deeply ingrained patterns of relating to others. The end of a relationship , however, is often a source of great psychological anguish.

To learn more, see Personality and Relationships .

Maintaining a strong relationship requires constant care and communication, and certain traits have been shown to be especially important for fostering healthy relationships. Each individual should, for starters, feel confident that their partner is willing to devote time and attention to the other. They must both also be committed to accommodating their differences, even as those change over time.

In the 21st century, good relationships are generally marked by emotional and physical fairness, particularly in the distribution of chores necessary to maintain a household. Partners in strong relationships also feel grateful for one another, openly provide and receive affection, and engage in honest discussions about sex .

In good relationships, partners try to afford their partner the benefit of the doubt, which creates a sense of being on the same team. This feeling, maintained over the long term, can help couples overcome the challenges they will inevitably face together.

To learn more, see Maintaining a Relationship and Love and Sex .

Finding a partner with whom to share a life is a wonderful but frequently difficult process. Whether it's conducted online or in-person, the search will likely push an individual into unfamiliar settings to encounter potential partners. To be successful, it is often necessary to go outside of one's comfort zone.

Determining whether a particular person is suitable as a potential mate, and whether a connection reflects temporary infatuation or true love, can challenging, but research suggests that there are revealing clues in behavior.

One possibly counterintuitive indicator of a potential match is one's sense of self. Someone who would make a good partner may push an individual to discover new activities or beliefs that expand their own self-concept . Another early signifier may be stress : Repeatedly interacting with someone whose impression matters deeply to us can fuel anxiety . Other positive indicators include being highly motivated to see the person and investing a significant amount of time, emotion , and energy into the budding relationship.

To learn more, see How People Find Love .

Every relationship represents a leap of faith for at least one partner, and even in the happiest couples, the very traits that once attracted them to each other can eventually become annoyances that drive them apart. Acquiring the skills to make a connection last is hard work, and threats may spring up without notice. In short-term, casual relationships, neither partner may see a truly viable long-term future together, but often only one takes action, in some cases ghosting the other, walking out of their lives with no communication, not even a text.

For some couples, infidelity is both the first and last straw, but a surprising number of relationships survive betrayal, some only to have their connection upended by everyday threats such as a loss of interest in physical intimacy, or a waning of positive feeling in the wake of constant criticism, contempt, or defensiveness. Even staying together for decades is no guarantee that a couple will remain connected: The divorce rate for couples over 50 has doubled since 1990.

Some people can walk away from years of marriage and instantly feel unburdened. For others, the end of a relationship that lasted just a few dates can trigger emotional trauma that lingers for years. However a breakup plays out, it can be a major stressor with an effect on ego and self-esteem that cannot be ignored.

To learn more, see Relationship Challenges and The End of Relationships .

Wondering why you can't move on from an unhealthy relationship? These reasons may be playing a role.

Personal Perspective: Is it clear when a person is best treated by an individual therapist or by a family therapist? Individual and relationship issues often are intertwined.

Do you feel in love and utterly devoted to your union but find yourself second-guessing if your partner is fully committed to you? Here are 5 ways to grow out of this pattern.

Research reveals the intriguing link between time and sex.

Instead of having an endless list of "pet peeves," what if you could learn to leave others' preferences alone and take ownership of your own reactions?

If you do a good job, you hope you'll get the rewards you expect. But life doesn't always work out like that. Career success is as dependent on other people as it is on you.

It can be challenging to enjoy new music when you have hearing loss, but one simple trick helped me to understand the lyrics better, allowing me to sing along, too.

A toxic relationship refers to a relationship that is unhealthy, harmful, and detrimental to the well-being of one or both partners involved.

These days, it isn't easy to find a balance between focusing on ourselves and focusing on others. Yet, working through this dialectic is key to healthy relationships.

"Rumination" is a psychological sci-fi film illustrating how heartbreak can influence the presence of ruminative thoughts.

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Technology, Human Relationships, and Human Interaction by Angela N. Bullock , Alex D. Colvin LAST REVIEWED: 27 April 2017 LAST MODIFIED: 27 April 2017 DOI: 10.1093/obo/9780195389678-0249

The utilization of technology to create and maintain relationships among people has become commonplace. According to the Pew Research Center, the percentage of American adults who own a tablet computer increased from 3 percent in 2010 to 45 percent in 2015, and the percentage of American adults who own a cell phone increased from 53 percent in 2000 to 92 percent in 2015. Furthermore, in 2015, 76 percent of online adults used some type of social networking site, compared to 8 percent in 2005. Technology is often introduced into a social system with the stated intention of making life easier for people. As technology becomes more pervasive in everyday life, the assessment of technology’s presence in relationships and its impact on how humans interact with one another is an emerging area of study. There are many perspectives on the relationship between technology and human interactions and relationships. It is purported that the integration of technologies in everyday life can have profound effects on human relationships, in both positive and negative ways. More notably, technologies impact on or interfere with how individuals engage in interpersonal relationships, behave within relationships, and project feelings and meanings including displays of emotions and love. Essentially, the new technological landscape now connects to what it means to be human.

This section presents a sample of early works that guided research into the fostering of relationships and interpersonal interactions through technology. Kiesler, et al. 1984 looks beyond the efficiency and technical capabilities of computer communication technologies and provides insight into the psychological, social, and cultural significance of technology. Jones 1994 provides a comprehensive examination of the varying aspects of social relationships in cyberspace. Preliminary studies that provide best-practice recommendations for the adoption of technology-based intervention in social work practice include Pardeck and Schulte 1990 ; Cwikel and Cnaan 1991 ; Schopler, et al. 1998 ; and Gonchar and Adams 2000 . Lea and Spears 1995 ; Kraut, et al. 1998 ; and Nie and Erbring 2000 offer early insight into how the Internet began to shape the way humans interact.

Cwikel, Julie, and Ram Cnaan. 1991. Ethical dilemmas in applying second-wave information technology to social work practice. Social Work 36.2: 114–120.

These authors consider ethical dilemmas brought about by the use of information technology in social work practice. They examine the effects on the client–worker relationship of the use of client databases, expert systems, therapeutic programs, and telecommunications.

Gonchar, Nancy, and Joan R. Adams. 2000. Living in cyberspace: Recognizing the importance of the virtual world in social work assessments. Journal of Social Work Education 36:587–600.

Utilizing the person-in-environment approach, this source explores the opportunities online communication provides individuals in fostering relationships, either healthy or unhealthy.

Jones, Steve, ed. 1994. CyberSociety: Computer-mediated communication and community . Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

Explores the construction, maintenance, and mediation of emerging cybersocieties. Aspects of social relationships generated by computer-mediated communication are discussed.

Kiesler, Sara, Jane Siegel, and Timothy W. McGuire. 1984. Social psychological aspects of computer-mediated communication. American Psychologist 39.10: 1123–1134.

DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.39.10.1123

The authors present potential behavior and social effects of computer-mediated communication.

Kraut, Robert, Michael Patterson, Vickie Lundmark, Sara Kiesler, Tridas Mukopadhyay, and William Scherlis. 1998. Internet paradox: A social technology that reduces social involvement and psychological well-being? American Psychologist 53.9: 1017–1031.

DOI: 10.1037/0003-066X.53.9.1017

This study examines the positive and negative impacts of the Internet on social relationships, participation in community life, and psychological well-being. The implications for research, policy, and technology development are discussed.

Lea, Martin, and Russell Spears. 1995. Love at first byte? Building personal relationships over computer networks. In Understudied relationships: Off the beaten track . Edited by J. T. Wood and S. Duck, 197–233. Thousand Oaks, CA: SAGE.

This chapter focuses on the connection between personal relationships and computer networks. Previous studies that examine dynamics of online relationships are reviewed.

Nie, Norman H., and Lutz Erbring. 2000. Internet and society: A preliminary report . Stanford, CA: Stanford Institute for the Quantitative Study of Society.

This study presents the results of an early study that explores the sociological impact of information technology and the role of the Internet in shaping interpersonal relationships and interactions.

Pardeck, John T., and Ruth S. Schulte. 1990. Computers in social intervention: Implications for professional social work practice and education. Family Therapy 17.2: 109.

The authors discuss the impact of computer technology on aspects of social work intervention including inventory testing, client history, clinical assessment, computer-assisted therapy, and computerized therapy.

Schopler, Janice H., Melissa D. Abell, and Maeda J. Galinsky. 1998. Technology-based groups: A review and conceptual framework for practice. Social Work 43.3: 254–267.

DOI: 10.1093/sw/43.3.254

The authors examine studies of social work practice using telephone and computer groups. Social work practice guidelines for technology-based groups are discussed.

Turkle, Sherry. 1984. The second self: Computers and the human spirit . New York: Simon & Schuster.

Explores the use of computers not as tools but as part of our social and psychological lives and how computers affect our awareness of ourselves, of one another, and of our relationship with the world.

Weizenbaum, Joseph. 1976. Computer power and human reason: From judgment to calculation . San Francisco: W. H. Freeman.

Examines the sources of the computer’s power including the notions of the brilliance of computers and offers evaluative explorations of computer power and human reason. The book presents common theoretical issues and applications of computer power such as computer models of psychology, natural language, and artificial intelligence.

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Trust and Interpersonal Relationships Essay

Introduction, personal reflection on interpersonal skills, academic analysis of the topic, critical reflection, list of references.

Interpersonal relationships are undeniable because human beings are social creatures. Human beings will always interact with individuals from different backgrounds. Different models such as ‘uncertainty reduction, relational dialects, social penetration, and self-disclosure theories explain how individuals can form good relationships in order to achieve their goals’ (Gibbs, Ellison & Lai 2011, p. 82). This paper presents a critical reflection on interpersonal skills. The essay highlights some of the best practices and skills that can make a person successful. This discussion explores the theories associated with trust, self-disclosure, and interpersonal communication. The personal reflection presented in this essay identifies the skills gained from this topic. The report offers quality ideas that can help individuals establish the best relationships with their workmates and business partners.

Self-disclosure is ‘something critical towards establishing and developing meaningful relationships’ (Zimmermann 2011, p. 64). Self-disclosure ‘is one of the measures for friendship and relationship development’ (Gibbs et al. 2011, p. 86). Self-disclosure can also destroy associations, especially when individuals fail to support one another. This practice is also significant towards building trust, especially among entrepreneurs. Too much self-disclosure is also capable of destroying good relationships. Trust and self-disclosure are inseparable. These tools play a critical role in establishing the best interpersonal relationships.

Self-disclosure establishes the success of every interpersonal relationship. This topic is relevant because I am planning to improve my interpersonal skills. The approach will be relevant to ‘widening my communication, problem-solving, relationship-building, and decision-making skills’ (Kauffman & Carmi 2014, p. 208). The topic will widen my competencies and make me a good communicator. I will also address my problems and establish new teams. Positive interpersonal attributes ‘will ensure all people form the best relationships’ (Gibbs et al. 2011, p. 74). My mission is to explore the benefits of positive self-disclosure.

We always ‘come into contact with new people every day’ (Tenzer, Pudelko & Harzing 2013, p. 36). People also engage in various business activities with new partners. People also form intimidate and personal relationships with their relatives and friends. It is appropriate for learners to establish the best associations with their tutors and classmates. These relationships are critical in every person’s life. I am planning to improve my leadership and interpersonal competencies in order to achieve most of my goals in life.

I will use the above competencies to address every challenge affecting my life. I will improve my trust in an attempt to achieve every personal goal. I am also ready to improve my presentation skills (Zimmermann, 2011). Trust and self-confidence are critical towards establishing the best relationships. Such values will ensure my group gets the best marks. The attributes will also be relevant towards improving my competencies as a future leader.

Several theories support the establishment of quality relationships. According to Janasz, Dowd, and Schneider (2011, p. 54), ‘trust will only be developed by individuals who want to have fruitful relationships.’ Different theories explain why certain values and competencies play a major role in the creation of meaningful relationships. Such ‘noble attributes include loyalty, courage, tolerance, modesty, frankness, and patience’ (Zimmermann, 2011, p. 62). Self-confidence makes it possible for individuals to express themselves and address the complexities affecting their lives. Janasz et al. (2011, p. 67) believe that ‘every person must be ready to establish good relationships and dialogues with other people.’

Social penetration theory (SPT) explores how human beings develop new relationships. According to the theory, ‘the concept of closeness is capable of creating intimidate relationships’ (Zimmermann 2011, p. 62). The SPT theory also explains how closeness becomes a powerful practice through self-disclosure. Scholars use this theory to examine how human beings form various relationships. Recent studies have ‘identified specific values that determine the nature of human relationships such as security, satisfaction, and rewards’ (Kauffman & Carmi 2014, p. 216). Self-Disclosure Theory (SDT) encourages people to interact and share their secrets. Self-disclosure is a powerful practice because it helps human beings understand one another (Tenzer et al., 2013).

The other useful model is the Uncertainty Reduction Theory (URT). According to this theory, every new relationship will encounter several uncertainties and challenges. People can use their understanding and knowledge to deal with such uncertainties (Semercioz 2011). Human beings ‘usually use interactive, active, or passive strategies to learn about their counterparts’ (Semercioz 2011, p. 6). Individuals will be happy to reduce such issues before establishing the best associations.

The other useful model is ‘called Relational Dialects Theory’ (Zimmermann 2011, p. 72). This theory goes further to explain why relationships will always present new contradictions and tensions. Such tensions occur when individuals engage in communication and interaction. According to Semercioz (2011, p. 5), ‘people always want to have some spontaneities and mysteries in their relationships.’ Such spontaneities are critical towards supporting new concepts and ideas. Most of these conflicts can make people’s relationships unpredictable. This situation explains why more studies and analyses are required in order to understand the issues supporting or discouraging the establishment of fruitful relationships (Wickramasinghe & Widyaratne 2012).

Human beings should consider the above concepts and skills in order to achieve their interpersonal goals. However, new studies are necessary for understanding the major challenges affecting the success of different relationships. Studies should also focus on professional relationships because they determine the success and effectiveness of business organizations. This discussion also explains why there are no controversies about the topic (Wickramasinghe & Widyaratne 2012). The practice will make it easier for people to achieve their goals and potentials.

The above discussion supports different topics, such as leadership, teamwork, self-awareness, conflict management, and decision-making. It is agreeable that ‘trust and confidence will encourage individuals in a relationship to share their secrets and ideas’ (Kauffman & Carmi 2014, p. 212). The practice will also result in higher satisfaction and eventually promote performance. This situation explains why I am planning to read more articles and books. The practice will improve my interpersonal competencies.

This exercise has equipped me with useful ideas and competencies. I now understand the importance of forming meaningful relationships. The above theories encourage me to associate with different individuals in order to achieve my objectives. I also understand the importance of self-disclosure in improving my trust and confidence. Increased intimacy in a relationship will make it easier for individuals to address most of the challenges affecting them (Kauffman & Carmi 2014). These lessons will make me a successful student. I will also establish strong relationships with my classmates and lecturers. The ideas will make me a competent leader who can make accurate and relevant decisions.

The above ideas support the power of good communication and trust. The absence of trust affects ‘the decisions made by individuals in a given relationship’ (Zimmermann 2011, p. 71). Individuals in a team should, therefore, be ready to share information with one another. I now understand the importance of avoiding certain behaviors that can affect my interpersonal relationships. Some of these behaviors include ‘mistrust, use of sarcastic words, and inability to engage in a meaningful conversation’ (Zimmermann 2011, p. 72). My desire to develop fruitful relationships with my supervisors, workmates, classmates, managers, and friends is critical towards achieving the best goals.

Our university tutorial groups are unable to achieve their goals because of low trust among the members. Many students do not portray the best work ethics. My goal is to rely on the above theories and ideas in order to realize my academic goals. Individuals without trust will be insensitive about the issues affecting their workmates. Such ‘persons will also focus on their own interests at the expense of others’ (Kauffman & Carmi 2014, p. 212). I am planning to use the above ideas in order to achieve my academic goals. I am also ready to empower every person in my tutorial group. Most of the above interpersonal skills will make me successful (Wickramasinghe & Widyaratne, 2012). I am planning to interact with more individuals in an attempt to achieve my personal goals. The practice will make my projects successful.

In conclusion, self-disclosure is critical towards establishing and developing meaningful relationships. Self-disclosure can also strengthen relationships, especially when two or more individuals decide to support one another. Different theories on interpersonal relationships have supported the use of appropriate attributes such as trust, confidence, and openness in order to achieve the best goals. I will use the above ideas whenever engaging in proper learning activities. I am planning to acquire new ideas that can make me successful in the future.

Gibbs, J, Ellison, N & Lai, C 2011, ‘First Comes to Love, Then Comes Google: An Investigation of Uncertainty Reduction Strategies and Self-Disclosure in Online Dating,’ Communication Research, vol. 38, no. 1, pp. 70-100.

Janasz, S, Dowd, K & Schneider, B 2011, Interpersonal Skills in Organisations , McGraw Hill, New York.

Kauffman, D & Carmi, G 2014, ‘How Team Leaders Can Use ICT to Improve Trust Among Virtual Teams to Increase Collaboration,’ International Journal of Engineering and Innovative Technology, vol. 3, no. 9, pp. 204-220.

Semercioz, F 2011, ‘An Empirical Study on the Role of Interpersonal and Institutional Trust in Organisational Innovativeness,’ International Business Research, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 1-12.

Tenzer, H, Pudelko, M & Harzing, 2013, ‘The impact of language barriers on trust formation in multinational teams,’ Journal of International Studies, vol. 1, no. 1, pp. 1-54.

Wickramasinghe, V & Widyaratne, R 2012, ‘Effects of interpersonal trust, team leader support, rewards, and knowledge sharing mechanisms on knowledge sharing in project teams,’ VINE , vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 214-236.

Zimmermann, 2011, ‘Interpersonal relationships in transnational, virtual teams: Towards a configurational perspective,’ International Journal of Management Reviews, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 59-78.

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Essay on Relationship

The term “relationship” refers to a close bond between two people.

Humans cannot live alone they need someone to share their feelings, enjoy the moments, or live happily. But we cannot do these things with strangers. We need someone whom we can trust and also win their trust. For this reason, we need healthy relationships in our life. From birth to death, humans are tied to several relationships. So, today we will discuss about “relationship” in detail.

Short and Long Relationship Essays in English

Here, I’m presenting short and long essays on Relationship in different word limits of 100 words, 250 words and 500-600 words. This topic is useful for students of all the classes to write creative essays and paragraphs. However, this topic is of immense importance for every individual to know the significance of a healthy relationship in life.

Relationship Essay 10 Lines (100 – 150 Words)

1) Relationshipis a bond of love and connection between two people.

2) Life is incomplete without relationships.

3) Respect is necessary in every relationship.

4) A healthy relationship makes life happier.

5) Family, friendship, romantic, and acquaintances are the four main relationships.

6) Relationship reduces stress and loneliness.

7) Relationship takes time to form.

8) Proper communication is required to maintain any relationship.

9) Without a relationship, life will become dull and boring.

10) Researches show that a good relationship helps to live longer.

Short Essay on Relationship (200-250 Words)

A relationship is a bond between two people based on mutual like, understanding, need, or love. It can be family relationships, friendships, romantic relationships, or acquaintances. The strongest relationship in which we are tied since birth is family. Friendship is another beautiful relationship that fills our life with joy. A romantic relationship mainly exists between a husband and wife. Acquaintances refer to the people who are not our relatives but we meet them often. This type of relationship can later turn into friendship.

In every sphere of life, relationships have a crucial role to play. Having a relationship is one of the most beautiful things that one could ever experience in life. Maintaining strong relationships in your life have an enormous number of benefits in the long run. However, it requires efforts to maintain a good relationship. Respect and trust are very important in every relationship. A healthy relationship generates a positive environment. It also affects our mental state. However, a bad relationship can even ruin our life. Therefore, it is necessary to play your part in a relationship with honesty.

In earlier times, relationships were very precious for people. But today, people are turning selfish and greedy. They make relationships mainly for profit. This is the major reason that people are not happy and it seems very difficult to maintain the existing relationship.

Long Essay on Relationship (500-600 Words)

Introduction

Relationships are defined as the feeling of love between two people and the connection that exists between them. The best feeling in the world is to love and to be loved by someone you care about. A relationship can be with parents, friends, or others. Each type of relationship plays an essential role in our life.

Types of Relationship

The four types of relationships are as follows:

Family: A family relationship is the first step towards interacting with others. Among all forms of human relationships, it is the strongest. In difficult times, they can provide support and a sense of belonging. Family relationships play a vital role in socialization.

Friendship: Our friends are the second family whom we trust, respect, keep in touch with, and love. They are the important relationship that we make our own. Friendship is necessary to share emotions and feelings.

Romantic: It is a relation to which we attach ourselves with a great deal of commitment. Among all relationships, it is the closest and most essential. Usually, this type of relationship is seen between husbands and wives.

Acquaintances: Regularly, we come across people who aren’t our friends or relatives. The person can be a neighbor or coworker, but we show respect and politeness. Such type of relationships can develop into friendship if treated with respect and care.

Importance of Relationships in Life

A relationship is an important part of our life. It is relationships that allow us to stay connected to each other. Humans depend on it for survival and it contributes greatly to their happiness and well-being. In a relationship, emotions, attachments, love, and sincerity are present. With relationships, we can grow up well, increase our awareness, improve our talents, and do many other things necessary to lead a happy and healthy life.

Without a relationship, you won’t be able to share your thoughts and obtain respect from others. When people have relationships with one another, they are able to discover who a person is at the core. In addition to bringing us a lot of joy, they are also a source of lots of laughs. However, a healthy relationship is crucial for a positive working environment, as it leads to mental peace as well as a more energetic attitude at work.

Benefits of a Healthy Relationship

Some benefits of a healthy relationship are mentioned below:

Less stress: Relationships help us to live a stress-free life. A relationship develops good understanding and sharing capability, thus reducing the chances of stress and depression.

Support: Having a relationship gives us people with whom we can share our lives and who can support us in time of need. It gives a support system that encourages us to do our best every time.

Happy life: Relationships play a very important role in the quality of life, without which life would be dull. A happy relationship in life can influence your health in a positive way. It saves you from boredom and makes life more joyful.

Relationships are a vital part of our lives and we cannot live without them. Relationships are a part of us from the moment we are born to the day we die. However, you can’t build a relationship in a day. A constant focus and attention are needed for them to succeed. A healthy relationship gives you joy while an unhealthy one can leave you exhausted. Therefore, it is very important to maintain a good and healthy relationship.

I hope the above given essay on Relationship will be helpful in understanding the importance as well as different aspects of Relationship in life.

FAQs: Frequently Asked Questions on Relationship on Relationship

Ans. Communication, respect, trust, and love are the most important things in a relationship.

Ans. Friendship is considered the best relationship in the world.

Ans. Irresponsibility, immaturity, insecurity, etc are some dangers to a healthy relationship.

Ans. The word “relationship” first appeared in 1744, according to the Online Etymology Dictionary.

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Human Relationships Essays

The influence of technology on human relationships, sociology: examining complex human relationships, popular essay topics.

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Essay on Relationship Between Human And Nature

Students are often asked to write an essay on Relationship Between Human And Nature in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Relationship Between Human And Nature

The bond with nature.

People and nature are interconnected. We rely on the environment for survival, using its resources for food, shelter, and air. Nature, in return, benefits from our care and protection.

Respecting Nature

Respecting nature is essential. By protecting the environment, we ensure our own survival. We must recycle, reduce waste, and conserve energy to maintain this balance.

The Consequences of Neglect

Ignoring nature’s needs leads to problems like climate change and species extinction. These issues affect us directly, threatening our health and lifestyle.

Our relationship with nature is a delicate balance. By respecting and caring for the environment, we ensure a healthier, brighter future for all.

250 Words Essay on Relationship Between Human And Nature

The intrinsic connection.

The relationship between humans and nature is an intricate, symbiotic bond, profoundly shaped by millions of years of evolution. Humans, as sentient beings, have developed sophisticated cultures and technologies, yet our survival remains inextricably tied to the natural world.

Dependence and Impact

Nature provides essential resources such as air, water, food, and raw materials. These resources are not only crucial for our survival, but they also form the basis of our economic systems. However, our reliance on nature has led to significant environmental impacts. Deforestation, pollution, and climate change are direct consequences of human activities, threatening biodiversity and the stability of ecosystems.

The Reciprocal Relationship

The human-nature relationship is reciprocal. While we shape nature through our actions, nature, in turn, influences human behavior, culture, and mental health. Exposure to natural environments has been linked to reduced stress levels, improved mood, and enhanced cognitive function.

A Need for Rebalance

The current environmental crisis calls for a rebalance in the human-nature relationship. It necessitates a shift from exploitation to sustainable coexistence, where we respect and preserve nature’s intrinsic value. This shift requires a deeper understanding of our interconnectedness with nature and a collective effort to reduce our environmental impact.

In conclusion, the human-nature relationship is a complex and dynamic interaction that has significant implications for both parties. As we move forward, it is essential to foster a relationship of mutual respect and sustainability with nature to ensure the survival and wellbeing of all life on Earth.

500 Words Essay on Relationship Between Human And Nature

The intricate dance: human and nature.

The relationship between humans and nature is a complex interplay of dependence, respect, exploitation, and evolution. This relationship is not just crucial for our survival, but it also shapes our culture, beliefs, and our very identity.

Dependence: The Lifeline

The most fundamental aspect of our relationship with nature is our dependence on it. We rely on nature for our basic necessities – air, water, food, and shelter. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the materials we use for shelter all come from nature. This dependence is not a one-way street. Nature, in turn, relies on us to maintain its balance. Our actions, whether they involve planting trees or emitting carbon dioxide, have a direct impact on the natural world.

Respect: The Forgotten Virtue

Historically, humans have revered nature. Many ancient cultures worshipped nature deities and respected the land, the sea, and the sky. This respect was born out of an understanding of our dependence on nature, and the need to maintain a harmonious relationship with it. However, with the advent of industrialization and modernization, this respect has often been forgotten. We have begun to see nature as a resource to be exploited, rather than a partner to be respected.

Exploitation: The Double-Edged Sword

Our exploitation of nature has led to unprecedented advancements in technology, medicine, and living standards. However, it has also led to environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity, climate change, and a host of other problems. Our exploitation of nature has become a double-edged sword, providing us with short-term gains but threatening our long-term survival.

Evolution: The Path Forward

The future of our relationship with nature lies in evolution. We must evolve our attitudes and behaviors towards nature. We must move away from a paradigm of exploitation and towards one of sustainability. This involves not just technological innovation, but also a shift in our values and beliefs. We must learn to value nature not just for what it can provide us, but for its intrinsic worth.

Conclusion: Redefining the Relationship

The relationship between humans and nature is at a crossroads. We can continue down the path of exploitation and face the consequences, or we can choose a new path of respect, sustainability, and coexistence. The choice is ours to make. As we stand at this juncture, let us remember that our relationship with nature is not just about survival, but also about who we are as a species. It is about our values, our beliefs, and our legacy. It is about our future.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on Love for Nature
• Essay on Human Destroying Nature
• Essay on Importance of Nature

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Why Dogs and Humans Love Each Other More Than Anyone Else

This is excerpted from TIME How Dogs Think: Inside the Canine Mind .

You speak dog better than you think you do. You may not be fluent; that would require actually being a dog. But if you went to live in a dogs-only world, you’d be pretty good at understanding what they’re saying. You can tell a nervous yip from a menacing growl, a bark that says hello from a bark that says get lost . You can read the body language that says happy, that says sad, that says tired, that says scared, that says Please, please, please play with me right now!

Think that’s not a big deal? Then answer this: What does a happy bird look like? A sad lion? You don’t know, but dog talk you get. And as with your first human language, you didn’t even have to try to learn it. You grew up in a world in which dogs are everywhere and simply came to understand them.

That, by itself, says something about the bond that humans and dogs share. We live with cats, we work with horses, we hire cows for their milk and chickens for their eggs and pay them with food—unless we kill them and eat them instead. Our lives are entangled with those of other species, but we could disentangle if we wanted.

With dogs, things are different. Our world and their world swirled together long ago like two different shades of paint. Once you’ve achieved a commingled orange, you’re never going back to red and yellow.

But why is that? It’s not enough to say that the relationship is symbiotic—that dogs hunt for us and herd for us and we keep them warm and fed in return. Sharks and remora fish struck a similarly symbiotic deal, with the remora cleaning parasites from the shark’s skin and getting to help itself to scraps from the shark’s kills as its pay. That underwater deal is entirely transactional; love plays no part. Humans and dogs, by contrast, adore each other.

The relationship began—well, nobody knows exactly when it began. The earliest remains of humans and dogs interred together date to 14,000 years ago, but there are some unconfirmed finds that are said to be more than twice as old. The larger point is the meaning of the discoveries: we lived with dogs and then chose to be buried with them. Imagine that.

It was only by the tiniest bit of genetic chance that our cross-species union was forged at all. Dogs and wolves share 99.9% of their mitochondrial DNA—the DNA that’s passed down by the mother alone—which makes the two species nearly indistinguishable. But elsewhere in the genome, there are a few genetic scraps that make a powerful difference. On chromosome six in particular, investigators have found three genes that code for hyper-sociability—and they are in the same spot as similar genes linked to similar sweetness in humans.

Our ancestors didn’t know what genes were many millennia ago, but they did know that every now and then, one or two of the midsize scavengers with the long muzzles that came nosing around their campfires would gaze at them with a certain attentiveness, a certain loving neediness, and that it was awfully hard to resist them. So they welcomed those few in from the cold and eventually came to call them dogs, while the animals’ close kin that didn’t pull the good genes—the ones we would come to call wolves or jackals or coyotes or dingoes—would be left to make their way in the state of nature in which they were born.

When humans ourselves left the state of nature, our alliance with dogs might well have been dissolved. If you didn’t need a working dog—and fewer and fewer people did—the ledger went out of balance. We kept paying dogs their food-and-­shelter salary, but we got little that was tangible in return. Never mind, though; by then we were smitten.

Our language reflected how love-drunk we’d gotten: the word “puppy” is thought to have been adapted from the French poupée , or doll—an object on which we lavish irrational affection. Our folk stories were populated by dogs: the Africans spoke of Rukuba, the dog who brought us fire; the Welsh told the tale of the faithful hound Gelert, who saved a prince’s baby from a wolf. Aristocrats took to including the family dog in family portraits. Wealthy eccentrics took to including dogs in their wills.

Today, at least in areas populated by humans, dogs are the planet’s most abundant terrestrial carnivore. There are about 900 million of them worldwide, just shy of 80 million of whom live in the U.S. alone. The single species that is the domestic dog— Canis lupus familiaris —has been subdivided into hundreds of breeds, selected for size or temperament or color or cuteness.

The average American dog owner spends more than $2,000 a year on food, toys, medical care and more, and some people would be prepared to pay a much higher, much dearer price. When Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans in 2005, so many people refused to evacuate without their dogs that Congress passed a law requiring disaster preparedness plans to make accommodations for pets.

What began as a mutual-services contract between two very different species became something much more like love. None of that makes a lick of sense, but it doesn’t have to. Love rarely touches the reasoning parts of the brain. It touches the dreamy parts, the devoted parts—it touches the parts we sometimes call the heart. For many thousands of years, it’s there that our dogs have lived.

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Write to Jeffrey Kluger at [email protected]