ABSTRACT
In the last chapter, we considered the factors that infl uence the likelihood of interaction between two people and, consequently, set the stage for the birth of a relationship. However, although interaction is a necessary ingredient for a relationship, it does not guarantee that one will actually develop. Once two people have noticed and become attracted to each other, and have had an initial encounter or series of encounters, their association is unlikely to develop beyond this very early stage unless they take steps to propel it forward-in other words, to move from “interaction” or “potential relationship” to “actual relationship.” This chapter focuses on the ways in which people actively move beyond fi rst encounters and initiate relationships with one another. Specifi cally, we will explore how
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men and women convey their interest in establishing a relationship to their potential partners, what happens during their initial encounters, how they go about intensifying their relationships and increasing their involvement, and the paths they follow to closeness and commitment. Because the majority of research on relationship initiation focuses on (heterosexual) romantic or mating relationships, it is important to recognize at the outset that most of the available information is limited to those types of relationship.
