Attachment- a pattern of behavior that defines ones relationship with another. Attachment style affects the way we treat the other person in public situations. Secure attachments are characterized by confident behavior whereas insecure attachments feature erratic behavior bordering on jealousy (Weger Jr., 85).
Boundaries-Territories drawn, borders are created, and limits are set (Petronio, Ellemers, Giles, and Gallois, 573). These boundaries are constantly being redefined through self disclosure and group development.
Relationship Disclosure - based on Altman and Taylor's social penetration theory (, the disclosure of how much we know about another person, how much of their onion we have peeled.
Method.
For this paper I was not looking to conduct research in hopes to publish or develop a theory but rather verify that this phenomenon is happening in people's lives and determine whether or not the phenomenon warrants further study. I used informal research with my friends and family interviewing them with a brief survey. .
The questions asked in the survey were:.
1. What is your age?.
2. What is your sex?.
3. What level of Education have you reached?.
4. What is your sexual orientation?.
5. What is your marital status?.
6. What type of social groups do you prefer.
a. Small Groups of five or less.
b. Large Groups of six or more.
c. Dyads (friendships that generally limited to the interaction between two people).
7. Have you ever been teased by two friends that you have introduced or teased the person who has just introduced you to another person? Tell me about it.
8. Which role do you find your self in more, the bridge friend or the teaser?.
9. How do you feel about this behavior? Why do you take part in it or choose not to?.
Results.
My interviews consisted of men and women ranging in age from 21-51. I interviewed six people all of whom could report this phenomenon in their own lives but most focused on the time they were the bridge friend rather than when they were the one teasing.
