ABSTRACT
This section discusses in detail the three important characteristics of relationships between people, as presented by Bronfenbrenner. The characteristics of Affect, Power, and Reciprocity are defined and their variations along dimensions described. Examples are given to illustrate their use in characterizing differences among relations. Bronfenbrenner’s framework suggests the types of relationships that will have the greatest positive effect on development, and defines a fourth type of dyad, the Developmental Dyad. The section continues to explore the impacts of dyads on each other, when a person engages in two or more dyads with different people. Particular issues in interpretation that are likely to be difficult for students are clarified.
