ABSTRACT
The conceptual analysis of relationships presented byKelley et al. (1983/2002) inClose Relationships was the heuristic for the development of the RCI (Berscheid, Snyder, & Omoto, 1989a; 1989b). As Berscheid and Peplau (1983/2002) note, at the time Kelley and his colleagues were attempting to construct a conceptual blueprint to facilitate the study of close relationships, little attention had been given to the construct relationship. Thus, Kelley et al. found it necessary to provide a conceptual analysis of the relationship construct before proceeding to consider its frequently used descriptor close.
