Friendship Group

When people hear of an “intimate relationship,” they likely think of a romantic one. However, friendships are another form of intimate relationships that have profound influence on our identities, well-being, and decisions.¹ Friendships are built on the same building blocks as romances: respect, trust, reciprocity, and social support. Their presence, especially when we’re younger, can shape our life experiences.

But how exactly do friendships form? How do we choose the people with whom we’ll spend so much of our lives, and what predicts whether our friendships will last or not? Do all friendships form similarly? What happens if we don’t have stable friendships? Given their profound influence, there is no shortage of research on these relationships.