Final answer:
Certain people become friends primarily because of proximity, which allows for regular interaction and the opportunity to form connections. Maintaining these friendships requires reciprocity and self-disclosure, as well as efforts to nurture the relationship through quality time and communication. Technology has influenced how we manage our friendships and requires a balance between online interaction and offline connection.
Step-by-step explanation:
A pivotal element in the formation of friendships is proximity. You're more likely to form friendships with those you see regularly, such as neighbors or classmates, due to increased chances for interaction and getting to know one another. This is exemplified in research demonstrating a higher likelihood of friendship with those living in close quarters to us (Festinger, Schachler, & Back, 1950).
Once friendships are formed, maintaining them involves reciprocity and self-disclosure, creating a balance of give-and-take and sharing personal thoughts and feelings, respectively. Proximity sets the stage, but similar interests, attractiveness, sports, or personality traits often influence who we choose to befriend from that available pool of individuals. Similarly, understanding how to navigate social dynamics and personalities is key in developing workplace friendships that can enrich our job satisfaction and offer opportunities for career advancement.
To stay friends, actively nurturing the relationship is essential. This can involve regular communication, spending quality time together, being supportive, and showing appreciation for the friendship. In contrast, the adoption of technology has the potential to both expand our social circles and dilute the quality of our interactions. It is important to balance our online presence with meaningful offline connections.