Theoretical Approaches on Frindship

Friendship is a selected relationship and continued on preferences. The phenomenon of friendship is studied in different disciplines such as sociology, psychology and social psychology in social sciences. In this study, some theories about the formation and development of friendship are discussed. Basically, these theories focus on understanding and explaining friendship. There are two different approaches theorizing the friendship, namely the great friendship theory and the modern friendship theory. Modern theory includes reinforcement theories, exchange and equity theories, cognitive consistency theories, developmental theories, like attracts like theories and the sociological perspective. Some theories have been put forward for the formation and development of friendship. These theories are aimed at understanding and explaining friendship. The first explanations for friendship are based on ancient philosophers and these views are called ‘great friendship’ theories. There is a historical approach in this view. Another theory of friendship is the theory of ‘modern friendship’. The theories in this approach are based on social psychology and sociology. In the great friendship approach, friendship is idealized and it is thought to be only among men, whereas in the modern friendship approach, the idea that friendships are only male-specific is opposed and friendship is considered a reality in itself. Within modern theory, sociological approach is mainly referred to. Although the phenomenon of friendship is a sociologically less focused subject, studies on the sociology of friendship are increasing. This study is important in terms of presenting a theoretical framework to the phenomenon of friendship