Love to be Loved

This PBS article summarizes why close relationships are important to humans.
Characteristics of close relationships are

•  to love and be loved
• mutual understanding
• caring
• direct help in times of trouble
• celebration of good times
• validation of self-worth
• security
• diversity of ideas and influences to help us grow and learn
• fun

These characteristics are crucial to our happiness and even well-being. By feeling secure in any relationship, it opens up possibilities of exploring instead of worrying on survival tasks.

The author of this PBS article says relationships are good for our happiness because they are lasting. According to the "hedonic adaption" principle, which says that we quickly adapt to changing surroundings, people who win the lottery find themselves just as happy as before. Because the effects of money don't last while relationships usually do, we will continuously get positive emotions from relationships especially as they grow.

Do people have to fit all these characteristics into every relationship? Are they all necessary to achieve happiness in every person you are close with? Can you be just as close with someone that doesn't carry as these traits?



This article was written from a combination of sources by Barbara L. Fredrickson, Ph. D and Ed Diener, a professor with which Mr. Chokshi worked.

Image found from Bing.