Relative Importance of Perceived Understanding in Initial Interaction and Development of Interpersonal Relationships

Abstract

Since it is not clear in what contexts perceived understanding is important in the development of relationships, the present study addressed whether perceived understanding is as important initially in the development of a relationship as in later stages. Analysis indicated that perceived understanding is less important in this study where subjects were in an initial stage of development of a relationship than in an earlier study where subjects were in a later stage. Perhaps perceived understanding may index intensity since it appears to be more important later.