ABSTRACT
The expression of affection is one of the most important communicative processes used in the development and maintenance of personal relationships. Affectionate behaviors in newly forming relationships often serve as critical incidents by which relational development is gauged (King & Chris-remember their
first hug, their first kiss, or the first time they said “I love you” to each other. By contrast, the lack of these behaviors in established relationships can be taken as evidence of relational deterioration (Owen, 1987).
