Compare and Contrast Essay

Comm/155

November 27, 2011

Deborah Busby

Although some may not agree with having more than one best friend, having one of the opposite sex, is having the best of both worlds. It is proven that the male and female brains differ, but it cannot be proved that it affects the behavior. Many people would agree that one’s behavior is determined by his or her gender. Although others are convinced that social conditioning is the cause for the differences between the male and female, it is very unlikely that biological differences play no role in behavior. Friendship is a form of interpersonal relationship generally considered to be closer than association, although there is a range of degrees of intimacy in both friendships and associations. Friendship and association are often thought of as spanning across the same continuum. The study of friendship is included in the fields of sociology, social psychology, anthropology, philosophy, and zoology. Various academic theories of friendship have been proposed, among which are social exchange theory, equity theory, relational dialectics, and attachment styles.

Despite the friendship genetics, the main goal I am motivated by is having people to love me for me. I admire the value that is found in friendships is often the result of a friend demonstrating the following on a consistent basis: Having the tendency to desire what is best for the other, showing sympathy and empathy. I also strongly believe in positive reciprocity or a relationship that is based on equal give back and take between the two. "For women, intimacy is the fabric of relationships, and talk is the thread for which it is woven" (Tannen, 2001, p. 368). Tannen continues her research to the relationships between boys and girls individually and finds the same type of communication norms. Males still have a problem with communication but not for the same reasons. In "Sex, Lies, and Conversation" (p. 368), Tannen finds that, "Bond's between boys can be as...