It is unlikely that many people thought about why they needed a friend. Because practically every one of us has it. Nevertheless, the topic of friendship from a psychological point of view is of particular interest. Therefore, the question still needs to be puzzled.
general information
Why do you need a friend? At least in order to satisfy the other person’s natural need for communication. When people come into contact with each other, interpersonal relationships arise, during which the personal qualities of both one and the other opponent appear. And it is they who develop in people this or that relation to each other. Qualities may vary. Both unifying, converging, and repulsive. Their manifestation helps to understand whether communication with this person is promising or not.
Friendship psychology was associated by scientists with attraction. This concept defines the attraction of one person to another. Attraction includes a lot of aspects. The needs of a person, for example, which encourage him to choose a specific partner for friendship. His qualities, again. Belonging to the same circle of communication. Understanding the needs and feelings of another - that is, the ability to feel the world of partner experiences. And even the property of a therapist.
An excellent phrase on this topic belongs to Rosalyn Diamond. It relates to empathy (a conscious experience for another person): “This is an imaginary transfer of oneself into the opponent’s feelings, emotions, actions and thoughts. And the ability to structure the world according to its model. ” A person capable of this is a friend in the modern sense.
Moral support
And now from psychological terms you can go to life. Why do you need a friend? To many - to provide moral support. A friend is a person who will help you get up if you fall. The importance of emotional and verbal help is sometimes underestimated. But when a person is broken and depressed, sincere empathy, sympathy, as well as praise, comfort and approval can heal him.
And finding the right words is very difficult. This is only possible for someone who knows the sad person well. And that's why you need a friend. This is a close person who is aware of the problems and mental characteristics of his comrade. He knows very well what points you need to “push” in order to bring a smile and make you understand that everything is not so bad. In psychology, by the way, this is called the moral and ethical side of friendship.
Communication
Why do people need each other? At least in order to talk. Communication is interesting. During the conversation, people share news, interesting stories, impressions, experiences, discuss different topics.
As a rule, a close friend is also a like-minded person, who can, without a twinge of conscience, lay out their point of view on a particular issue, without fear that a conflict or an argument is brewing now. Because the comrade will support and even supplement what has been said with his comment.
But friends, as a rule, have differences. And this is good, since the point of view of the other person perfectly complements the picture of the world of his interlocutor. It is with a friend that a tactful and interesting conversation, productive discussion and the right dialogue are possible. A close person will always explain why he thinks so, he will not try to blame his opponent and impose his point of view on him. All this is not only interesting, but also useful, since such communication enriches us as individuals.
Pastime
We all rest in different ways. But each of us likes to meet friends. Some do this often, others rarely. So why do you need a best friend? Then, to have fun together and get new experiences. Together, making everything more fun and interesting. And accordingly, there will be more positive impressions from spending time.
You can go to the cinema, cafes, night clubs, amusement parks together, just walk around the city and have a conversation at the same time. And it’s better to plan a trip together to another city or even a country. Such pastime, as a rule, brings together even stronger. The relationship will be refreshed, new and valuable impressions, an unusual experience will appear. Maybe traveling together will turn into a favorite hobby.
Problems
To the question regarding why friends are needed, there are different answers. And many say for help. It was said above about moral support, but this is something else.
They say that the friend is not the one who is nearby in good times, but the one who will help in difficult times. In life, far from always everything is rosy. And sometimes it happens that you are afraid to tell even a psychologist who strictly adheres to the ethics of professional secrets.
A friend is a person, time-tested, who has proven his reliability by his actions and attitude towards a person. One who knows how to keep a secret. And treats her like his own. A man who does not change his attitude towards someone whom he considers his friend, no matter what happens. And he will try to do everything in his power to make the loved one feel better.
About quantity
There is one excellent phrase in Russian, which many of us use in life in various fields. And it is also applicable to friendship. And the phrase sounds like this: "The main thing is not quantity, but quality."
Looking at people who communicate with a whole crowd of people and maintain friendly relations with them , one involuntarily wonders - why do you need a lot of friends? As a matter of fact, this is a matter for each person individually. If he wants - please. But, as practice shows, such people do not have a really close, real friend. They always have someone to take a walk with, but who has the soul to pour out is not.
But again, you cannot limit yourself to one person. Because it can be fraught with difficulties in socialization in an unfamiliar team. A diverse social circle is helpful. It makes it possible to learn something new, to obtain previously unfamiliar skills and knowledge. In general, the golden mean also takes place here.
Generally accepted characteristic
Well, concluding the short story about why you need to have friends, you should again turn to psychology. Her scientists have long been identified characteristics of a true comrade.
A friend is one whom a person who calls him loves. Just in a different form, not in an intimate one.
A friend never lies. He always tells the truth. In his words there is no pathos, arrogance, boasting, theatricality. He always soberly and impartially evaluates the actions and behavior of his loved one.
Friends are interested in the life of a dear person and worry about him. There is nothing indecent in questions about vacation plans or the future. As in the desire to inquire about the family, position and health of loved ones, relatives.
Friends are not shy about each other. This is manifested both in behavior and in communication. There is no place for officialdom in their conversations. They say what is in their hearts. There is mutual respect in their relationship. They relate to each other with kindness, tolerance, understanding.
What can be said in conclusion? Perhaps the most important thing. A friend is an integral part of the soul of each of us.