Conceptualizing relational entropy: exploring the causes, experiences, and remedies of friendship decay

Abstract

Toward the goal of understanding the reduction of relational entropy (i.e., decay and disorder) as an explanation of the function of relational maintenance in interpersonal relationships, the aim of this investigation was to explore participants’ perceptions regarding the experience of relational entropy in friendships. Participants recruited from a university within the United States completed an online survey featuring open-ended questions regarding their experience of drift or decay in one of their friendships. Results identified several themes that describe common causes, experiences, and potential remedies of relational entropy. Overall, findings indicated relational entropy is a multifaceted construct, cohering around cognitive, emotional, and behavioral changes that occur in decaying relationships.

Keywords:

• Entropy
• Friendship
• Relational Maintenance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).