Communal relationships are psychological bonds in which parties participate in giving and receiving based on mutual concern rather than on expectation of equality of exchange. Relationships of this kind are primary in care, trust, and affective ties in close friendships, family, and romantic relationships. In contrast with exchange relationships which are more utilitarian in nature, these relationships foster emotional gratification, social sustenance, and prolonged connection. Psychologists are interested in understanding attachment, intimacy, and prosocial behavior through the study of communal relationships. For example, a parent and child relationship, in which the parent attends to the child unconditionally and expects nothing in return, is a communal relationship.
Categories