Friendship\u00a0is a relationship of mutual\u00a0affection\u00a0between people.[1]\u00a0It is a stronger form of\u00a0interpersonal bond\u00a0than an acquaintance or an association, such as a classmate, neighbor, or colleague. In some cultures, the concept of friendship is restricted to a small number of very deep relationships; in others, such as the US and Canada, a person could have many friends, plus perhaps a more intense relationship with one or two people, who may be called\u00a0best friends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Friendship has been studied in academic fields, such as communication, sociology, social psychology, anthropology, and philosophy. Various academic theories of friendship have been proposed, including social exchange theory, equity theory, relational dialectics, and attachment styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Although there are many forms of friendship, some of which may vary from place to place, certain characteristics are present in many such bonds. Such features include choosing to be with one another, enjoying time spent together, and being able to engage in a positive and supportive role to one another.[2]<\/p>\n\n\n\n