@masterthesis{White2019,
       author = "White, Faith J.",
       title =  {{"Best Friends: How Close Friendships are Formed”}},	
       type = {Bachelor's Thesis},

       howpublished = "\url{https://ir.hamilton.edu/do/9b1958dd-29e1-47cb-a0fd-eeeff890ed72}",
       institution = {Hamilton College},
       year = 2019,
       month = may,
       school = {Sociology},
}

Creator

Date

May 2019

Description

This study explores the particular instances or events/situations that must occur, or be shared, between two people to reach a level of close friendship. Using qualitative interviews, I investigate the details behind how participants met their best friend, what allowed them to connect, when they felt their connection grow stronger, and what factors helped or hindered friendship development. My study adds to existing research on social relationships and friendship; it confirms existing theories concerning how individuals form close bonds and what makes people become remarkably close with certain individuals. This study additionally reveals that, in addition to the specific qualitative factors that promote friendship, people rely on abstract descriptions and vocabulary to narrate their intuitive, closest friendship experiences and that there is collective understanding of this abstract process, which differs in nature from the more concrete, identifiable predictors of a close friendship.

Type of Work

• Thesis

Institution

Hamilton College

Area of Study

• Sociology

Degree

Bachelor of Arts

Advisor

Part of Collection

Senior Theses

Rights Statement

The copyright for this work is held by its creators and Hamilton College. More information