| An '''intimate''' relationship is a particularly close personal relationship, one in which the participants know or trust one another very well and are confidants of one another. In romantic [[love]] such closeness is characterized by physical attachment and sexual activity. | | An '''intimate''' relationship is a particularly close personal relationship, one in which the participants know or trust one another very well and are confidants of one another. In romantic [[love]] such closeness is characterized by physical attachment and sexual activity. |
− | [[Love]] is the central focus in truly intimate relationships. Though love evades definition, thoughtful [[inquiry]] shows it to be qualitatively, not only quantitatively different than [[liking]], and the difference is not merely in the [[presence]] or absence of [[sexual attraction]]. According to one [[analysis]], love in relationships is divided into two types: passionate and companionate. Passionate love is intense longing, and is often accompanied by physiologic arousal, (shortness of breath, rapid heart rate & sexual impulses). Companionate love is affection and a feeling of intimacy not necessarily accompanied by physiologic arousal. | + | [[Romance|Love]] is the central focus in truly intimate relationships. Though love evades definition, thoughtful [[inquiry]] shows it to be qualitatively, not only quantitatively different than [[liking]], and the difference is not merely in the [[presence]] or absence of [[sexual attraction]]. According to one [[analysis]], love in relationships is divided into two types: passionate and companionate. Passionate love is intense longing, and is often accompanied by physiologic arousal, (shortness of breath, rapid heart rate & sexual impulses). Companionate love is affection and a feeling of intimacy not necessarily accompanied by physiologic arousal. |
| People that are intimate with one another often feel as if they are a 'couple', especially if they have ascribed some degree of permanency to their relationship. Such partnerships often provide the emotional security that is necessary for them to accomplish many forms of work. | | People that are intimate with one another often feel as if they are a 'couple', especially if they have ascribed some degree of permanency to their relationship. Such partnerships often provide the emotional security that is necessary for them to accomplish many forms of work. |