What kinds of relationships are there

6 Basic Types Of Romantic Relationships & How To Define Yours

What is a relationship?

A relationship is any kind of association or connection between people, whether intimate, platonic, positive, or negative. Typically when people talk about "being in a relationship," the term is referencing a specific type of romantic relationship involving both emotional and physical intimacy, some level of ongoing commitment, and monogamy (i.e., romantic and sexual exclusivity, wherein members don't have this type of relationship with anyone else). That said, romantic relationships can take many different forms, from marriage to casual dating to ethical nonmonogamy.

There are four basic types of relationships: family relationships, friendships, acquaintanceships, and romantic relationships. Other more nuanced types of relationships might include work relationships, teacher/student relationships, and community or group relationships. Some of these types of relationships can overlap and coincide with one another—for example, two people can be both work colleagues and close friends. There are also many variations within each category, such as codependent friendships, sexless marriages, or toxic family members.

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Basic types of relationships:

Familial relationships, aka family members or relatives
Friendships
Acquaintances
Sexual relationships
Work or professional relationships
Teacher/student relationships
Community or group relationships
Place-based relationships, such as neighbors, roommates, and landlord/tenant relationships
Enemies or rivals
Relationship to self

Types of romantic relationships.

There are many different relationship labels people use to define their relationship to themselves and to others, but below are a few of the main basic types of romantic relationships:

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Dating

Dating is the process of intentionally spending time with someone to get to know them better, have fun together, and enjoy being romantic. Dating can sometimes be about seeing if there's potential for a more long-term relationship, or it can just be about having fun without expectations for the future, which is sometimes called casual dating.

Not everyone agrees on what level of commitment is implied when two people say they're "dating." Some people only use the term when there's already a defined, committed relationship in place, whereas others use the term to mean they're simply exploring to see if there's relationship potential.

Committed relationship

In the context of couples, the phrase "in a relationship" usually means being in a committed, long-term romantic relationship. A committed relationship is one where two or more people agree to continue being in a relationship for the foreseeable future. There's an understanding that the two will continue to spend time together, work on growing their relationship with each other, and continue nurturing their connection. People in committed relationships may choose to use identifiers like boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner to signify their relationship to others.

In traditional monogamous relationships, being in a relationship also means that a couple will be romantically and sexually exclusive—that is, they won't have any other romantic or sexual partners other than each other. In nonmonogamous relationships, exclusivity isn't required.

Marriage is one form of committed relationship wherein a couple publicly vows to stay together and forms a legally binding union.

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Casual relationship

A casual relationship is a relationship where two or more people may be dating, regularly spending time together, and engaging in romantic or sexual activities—but without any expectations for the relationship to last into the future. These types of relationships are usually more situational and short-term, and they may or may not be exclusive.

People in casual relationships usually do like each other and are attracted to each other, though there may not be an intense emotional connection or desire to deepen the connection. Whereas people in committed relationships may see each other as life partners, people in casual relationships may not be as integrated into each other's lives. They typically won't use terms like boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner.

Casual sex

A casual sex relationship is one where two or more people spend time together primarily to have sex with each other. They might see each other regularly for sex, or they may have sex once and never see each other again. They may like each other and enjoy each other's company, but they're not interested in a romantic relationship with each other. Usually, there's no emotional connection, or the connection is distinctly platonic or friendly, as in a "friends with benefits" situation.

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Situationship

A situationship is a romantic relationship that hasn't been explicitly defined, usually by omission. The relationship may have many of the same qualities as a committed relationship, a casual relationship, or dating, but the people involved have simply not put labels on it—usually intentionally, whether that's to avoid making things too complicated, because they're still figuring out what they want from each other, or because they're too afraid to bring up the "DTR talk" (aka a conversation defining the relationship).

Generally speaking, situationships usually have more emotional involvement than a friends-with-benefits scenario but not the explicit romantic feelings and commitment of a committed relationship.

While relationships without labels work great for some people, situationships can often happen because the two people aren't on the same page about what they want or because there's an assumption that the relationship will be short-term enough for it not to matter.

Ethical nonmonogamy

Ethical nonmonogamy is a broad umbrella term for any relationship where people can have multiple romantic and sexual partners at the same time. It includes polyamory, open relationships, relationship anarchy, and many other types of relationships between more than two people. Ethically nonmonogamous relationships can be casual, committed, open, exclusive, dating-only, sex-only, or some combination of these categories, and people in these relationships may or may not use terms like boyfriend, girlfriend, or partner to describe each other.

The 7 types of relationships, according to psychology.

One framework for romantic relationships in psychology, known as Sternberg's triangular theory of love, identifies three main components of love: passion, intimacy, and commitment. Passion refers to feelings of excitement and attraction, intimacy refers to feelings of closeness and connection, and commitment refers to the ongoing decision to stay in and nurture the relationship. Depending on which of these three elements are present, a couple can find themselves in one of seven different types of relationships:

Infatuation: passion only
Friendship: intimacy only
Empty love: commitment only
Romantic love: passion + intimacy
Fatuous love: passion + commitment
Companionate love: intimacy + commitment
Consummate love: passion + intimacy + commitment

Developed by psychologist Robert Sternberg, Ph.D., and fellow researchers throughout the 1980s and '90s, this relationship framework has been validated by research across 25 different countries1.

How to define a relationship.

When it comes to dating, romantic relationships, and sex, it's important for partners to be transparent about what type of relationship they want and to make sure they're on the same page.

Here are a few questions to ask each other to define the relationship:

What do you want from this relationship? Something casual and in-the-moment? Something more future-oriented? Not sure yet and just want to explore for now?
Are you looking for a long-term relationship? If so, do you see potential here?
Are you seeing other people?
Are there romantic feelings here? Are we interested in exploring those feelings, or do we want to keep things more casual?
How often do we want to talk and see each other?

While these questions can feel intimidating or too serious, choosing to avoid these questions means you're just choosing to make assumptions rather than hearing the truth.

"People form commitments [and] expectations even without labels," sex and relationship therapist Shadeen Francis, LMFT, once told mbg. "Not talking about the terms of your relationship does not mean you don't have one."

And remember: Defining the relationship does not necessarily mean you need to enter into a serious or committed relationship. Defining the relationship is simply about clarity.

"Some people may choose not to label their relationship because they're afraid of being tied down too quickly or in a place where they feel trapped," relationship therapist Shena Tubbs, MMFT, LPC, CSAT-C, once told mbg. "However, one should understand that you maintain full autonomy of yourself in every relationship you're in, and you are the one who is responsible for communicating what you need, what you want, and what you don't want. So if you feel you're at a place where you cannot (or don't want) to date one person exclusively, that should be communicated to your partner so that [they] can make a decision about whether that works for them."

Here’s our full guide to DTR, or defining the relationship, plus a bunch of relationship labels to consider.

The DTR Talk: When & How To Define The Relationship

Why defining the relationship is important.

Defining a relationship is all about clarifying your needs, desires, and boundaries, explains AASECT-certified sex therapist Constance DelGiudice, Ed. D., LMHC, CST. Having a DTR conversation is just a way for both people to get on the same page about how you're viewing the relationship and what the expectations are around commitment, exclusivity, and emotional investment.

Importantly, how someone chooses to define a relationship is dependent on the individual, adds therapist and life coach Tess Brigham, MFT, BCC. Culturally we often receive implicit or explicit messages that relationships are supposed to be long term and monogamous, but Brigham says that formula doesn't always work for everyone—and defining the relationship is not just about trying to shove your particular relationship into that mold. More and more people are redefining what relationships look like to them and creating relationship agreements that actually make sense for their needs.

"[Long-term, monogamous] relationships are hard, and it isn't always what everyone needs," she says. "If you're happy with where you are, don't let other people tell you that it's not OK.

A DTR conversation can be two people agreeing they want to be exclusive, continue dating casually, continue hanging out just as friends with benefits, or anything else that fits how you feel. What's important is that it's a shared understanding.

Psychotherapist Beth Sonnenberg, LCSW, says enjoying where you are in a relationship and living in the moment is also important. Sometimes you have to "make it up as you go. There should be some spontaneity; otherwise, that takes the fun out of it." Even if labels aren't your thing, though, practicing open communication and being sensitive to how each of you feel throughout the relationship is key to keeping it healthy and nourishing for both parties.

Now, approaching that particular conversation can require some skill and finesse. Figuring out how to start is always hard, and so is mentally preparing yourself for not liking how the conversation ends. But it provides a sense of clarity that can be necessary for a relationship to continue.

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When it's time to define the relationship.

There really isn't a set time frame. Both Sonnenberg and Brigham agree that it should be based on a feeling rather than on how long two people have been engaging with each other. This should also not be based on other people's timelines. Just because a friend became exclusive with someone after one month does not mean you have to follow suit. Remember, everyone gets into relationships at different points in time. "Everyone opens up at different points in time, and we have to realize we can't expect somebody to be exactly where we're at, at the exact moment that we are," emphasizes DelGiudice.

But if you struggle to work outside of time frames, Brigham says to wait at least two to three months before defining the relationship. By that time, you should have a better sense of the person and be able to gauge their feelings. Research has also proved there's something to the three-month period; for instance, 90-day rehab programs used to be the golden standard because it takes 66 days on average to develop and form habits.

Importantly, people often find themselves stuck in ambiguous relationship situations—or situationships, as they've been labeled—because they don't want to face what's already in front of them, explains Brigham. "They don't do what's right for them, hoping that the other person will change their mind. I've never seen it happen."

Most of the time, the person has already shown you how they feel. "If they want to be in a relationship with you, they will show up. They will keep asking you out, they will want to see you a lot, and they will want to move in that direction," says Brigham. "They will ask you to things that are significant, and they will talk about plans for the future."

How to define the relationship when you're ready.

There are multiple steps one should take when having the DTR conversation:

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First, assess where you are in the relationship.

Brigham says it's important to ask yourself how it makes you feel: Are you happy, or are you constantly anxious about where you stand with that person? Usually people want to have these talks because they feel stationary, "and if you feel stuck and stagnant, then that means something needs to progress and move forward."

Next, assess what you want.

Once you've thought about why you're pulled to have the DTR conversation, then ask yourself what it is you want. What is it you ultimately want, and what do you want out of this specific relationship? Once you answer those questions for yourself, then you'll know what to ask the other person. (Here are some types of relationships and relationship labels to consider.)

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Prepare yourself for what they might say and how you'll react.

For example, you may want to suggest having a committed, monogamous relationship, and the person might reveal they're not into the idea. Be ready to decide what that'll mean for you moving forward and what your next steps might be if your visions for the relationship aren't aligned.

Be mindful of how you start the conversation.

Don't make a formal announcement using a trite phrase like, "We need to talk." Even if you've planned when you want to have the conversation, it's important to make it flow naturally like any other one. If you push too hard or set it up as a potential confrontation, the person might feel threatened and run in the opposite direction, warns Sonnenberg and DelGiudice.

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Ask open-ended questions.

Sonnenberg also suggests asking "open-ended questions instead of ones that require a definitive yes or no answer. " This signals that you're coming from a flexible space, and you won't judge the person for answering your questions openly and honestly.

Use "I" statements.

For example, "I like you," "I enjoy spending time with you," or "I'd like to spend more time with you. What do you think?" Brigham says this will probably be hard because it requires a certain level of vulnerability, but it emphasizes your own feelings and gives the other person space to respond. "Being aware of your tone is all you can do," explains Brigham. "How they respond is out of your control."

Be specific.

After expressing what you like about the relationship—and whether the other person is on the same page—discuss what you think the next step should be. For example, if you're only seeing each other every other week, say you'd like to see them once a week or more.

Be prepared to have the DTR conversation throughout your relationship.

This isn't a one-and-done kind of conversation; it's one that you will have to have more than once as your relationship naturally evolves. Even at the end of having that initial discussion, things might play out differently than what you both said and agreed on in the moment.

That's why Sonnenberg says it's important to enter these conversations with an open mind and the willingness to be flexible. "I think having that conversation often would allow for the most success because you might change your mind while you're in it, or stuff might not be working the way you had envisioned," she explains. "It needs to be fluid and an ongoing conversation about what's working and what's not working."

Relations between people - what and why?

Some kind of relationship always arises between people. "Do you have a relationship?" or "I ended my relationship with him!" - it's just about these personal relationships.

Personal relations - the relationship of people as carriers of individual cultural experience. In life, this is what people simply call "relationships."

Such relationships (one's own or someone else's, loved or opposed) are determined by individual decisions or emotions, established views, attitudes and habits between people. Speaking about relationships with someone or something, they usually describe opportunities and limitations, desires and protests, rights and obligations of mutual influence.

Personal relationships - relationships are always informal. They are informal not in the sense that they are relationships without conventions and without rules, but in the fact that in addition to rules and conventions, in personal relationships there is always a personal moment: personal views, personal attitudes, personal emotions. Relationships are a deeper level of interaction than the level of communication. There may be live communication, but not well-established relationships, and vice versa.

Relationships can be wild and civilized, partnerships and not, established and difficult, close, intimate - and detached, formal, but the most common division of relationships is the division into interpersonal and business relationships. Interpersonal relationships are informal relationships driven by feelings and emotions. Business relations - relations determined by the interest of the case. Corporate relations - relations determined by the tasks and attitudes of the management.

Established relationships between people are the basis of successful business, therefore those who value success must either be able to build relationships themselves, or have people who will provide them with this. On the other hand, there is an excessive, not justified by the interests of the case, passion for relationships: watch series with endless showdowns. People tend to engage in relationships (to relate) when they have nothing to do, there is no worthy business. Business people solve problems, slackers deal with relationships: creating problems out of the blue, enduring difficult relationships and solving them heroically (or tragically).

In the world of relations, women are better oriented and more capable; in the world of objects and in business relations, men.

What am I like in a relationship?

To understand how you are in a relationship, it is useful to answer and get feedback on the following questions:

Inwardly calm (anxious, accusing)
Self-respecting (not believing in his worth)
Open, trusting (hiding his thoughts and feelings)
Living in the soul and life of a loved one (I draw attention to myself)
Honest in conflict situations (I manipulate facts in my favor)
Clear, disciplined (I do not comply with agreements)
Active, constructive (I run away into experiences and hang problems on others)
Understanding (feeling) himself and his beloved
Warm, soft (often distant and cold)
Sunny, even (I am dark, gloomy and evil)
Bright, varied (often dull and grey)

Relationships and a leash

A leash is a useful addition to a relationship when both are tools, necessary elements for educating (children, employees, other people). A leash is cheaper and easier, but more dangerous in the long run. Relationships are more complicated and more expensive, but they pay off better in the future. See →

What are the relationships between people?

Human relations mean the interaction between people within a narrow circle or society as a whole. From a psychological point of view, we consider the relationship of individual subjects in small groups and their associations.

Content:

1 The basis and importance of relations between individuals
2 Classification of human relationships
3 Relations between people of any gender
4 Types of relations between people of different sexes
5 married relations
7 How to manage relationships in the workplace?

The basis and importance of personal relationships

At the heart of personal relationships are relationships between people acting out themselves in verbal and non-verbal contacts.

The desire to communicate is justified by a number of factors:

the need for mutually beneficial cooperation;
escape from loneliness, striving for a sense of security;
information interchange.

Classification of human relationships

Interpersonal relationships (IR) are divided into two types according to purpose and nature.

According to the purpose of MO, in turn, there are two types:

primary, the occurrence of which is due to necessity;
secondary, based on the conscious interaction of people.

According to the nature of MO, there are formal and informal types.

Formal relationships have the following characteristics:

strictly limited by rules of conduct;
lack of emotional and sensual component;
no choice.

This type of relationship includes business relationships between colleagues and management.

Relationships between people of any gender

Relationships between people without regard to gender include:

family ties;
friendly relations in a circle united by a common activity;
friendly relations that arose against the background of a pleasant acquaintance;
friendly relations, as closer ones, which developed from friendly ones;
professional, limited to one case.

Types of relationships between people of different sexes

To try to give a correct answer to the age-old question, is it possible to have friendship between a man and a woman, it is worth paying attention to the opinion of specialists. Most psychologists are of the opinion that one of the partners in this "friendly" union, most likely, feels latent sympathy and attraction to the other.

Marital relations

What determines the relationship between partners living together in an official or civil union? They are distinguished by a number of characteristics:

a stable current based on love and emotional attachment;
physical attraction;
existence of common interests;
striving for the birth and joint upbringing of children.

Political relations

The basis and organization of social relations is the following:

political competition;
cooperation between authorities and citizens through trade unions and political parties;
communication between citizens and the state, their mutual responsibility;
unions of states;
conflicts of internal and interstate level.

How to manage labor relations?

In companies, tracking the psychological atmosphere of the team is assigned to the personnel manager.

Learn more

What kinds of relationships are there

6 Basic Types Of Romantic Relationships & How To Define Yours

What is a relationship?

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Basic types of relationships:

Types of romantic relationships.

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Dating

Committed relationship

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Casual relationship

Casual sex

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Situationship

Ethical nonmonogamy

The 7 types of relationships, according to psychology.

How to define a relationship.

The DTR Talk: When & How To Define The Relationship

Why defining the relationship is important.

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When it's time to define the relationship.

How to define the relationship when you're ready.

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First, assess where you are in the relationship.

Next, assess what you want.

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Prepare yourself for what they might say and how you'll react.

Be mindful of how you start the conversation.

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Ask open-ended questions.

Use "I" statements.

Be specific.

Be prepared to have the DTR conversation throughout your relationship.

Relations between people - what and why?

What am I like in a relationship?

Relationships and a leash

What are the relationships between people?

The basis and importance of personal relationships

Classification of human relationships

Relationships between people of any gender

Types of relationships between people of different sexes

Marital relations

Political relations

How to manage labor relations?