The comparative study of interpersonal relationships

Abstract

The comparative study of interpersonal relationships seeks to understand the nature of interpersonal relationships by identifying and explaining the differences between types of interpersonal relationships. Whenever a difference in two types of interpersonal relationship (e.g., spouse vs. stranger) is revealed, knowledge of both types of relationship is gained. In this article, I will illustrate this orientation using studies from four areas of research (marital relationships, gender differences, siblings, and intergenerational relationships) where the comparison of different types of relationships has provided interesting and useful information. I will also discuss the appropriate analytic methods for comparing relationships, focusing on the comparison of particular dyads (e.g., spouse–stranger designs), the comparison of multiple relationships (e.g., one-with-many designs), and the comparison of effects within the Actor–Partner Interdependence Model. The study of non-shared environment illustrates effor...