# Relationships **Domain:** Social psychology / Human development / Ethics **Doc Type:** Canonical concept node **Maturity:** Developed ## Definition Relationships are enduring patterns of mutual recognition, communication, expectation, care, exchange, influence, and responsibility between persons or groups. ## Mechanism and Significance Relational depth grows through attention, honest self-disclosure, knowledge of one's own motives and limits, accurate perception of the other person, trust built through conduct, and the ability to repair misunderstanding. ## Evidence Boundary Self-knowledge can improve connection without guaranteeing reciprocity or compatibility. Another person's autonomy, boundaries, history, and choices remain independent variables in every relationship. ## Relationships [[wiki/Self-Knowledge|Self-Knowledge]] · [[wiki/Self-Awareness|Self-Awareness]] · [[wiki/Relational Autonomy|Relational Autonomy]] · [[wiki/Trust Infrastructure|Trust Infrastructure]] ## Simple Reminders, Quotations, and Thoughts > “Deep connection with others begins with deep connection with oneself. Relationships, like technology, are often used only at the surface. Knowing oneself well makes richer connections possible.” > **— Bryant McGill**, *Emergence, Compounding Effort, and the Architecture of a Mission - Livestream (Aug 2016)* [[reminders/Self-Knowledge/Deep Connection Begins With Self-Knowledge by Bryant McGill|Deep Connection Begins With Self-Knowledge by Bryant McGill]]