Relationship Science: The Study of Interpersonal Relationships

  We often see human relationships as ethereal and spiritual. Indeed, elements like affinity, affection, loyalty, and romance seem too abstract to be measured and explained logically and scientifically. However, the truth is that all relationships are mediated by biological reactions and cognitive patterns. Relationship science studies these phenomena. The majority of studies in this discipline focus on intimate relationships, particularly family and partner relationships. However, psychologists, sociologists, biologists, and other professionals in this field also study the kinds of relationships that aren’t so close. For instance, those between professional colleagues or acquaintances. Relationship science (the empirical study of human…