Promoting appetitive learning of consensual, empowered vulnerability: a contextual behavioral conceptualization of intimacy

Frontiers in Psychology

Psychology

Abbey Warren¹  Thomas Sease¹  Janani Vaidya¹  Jon-Patric Veal¹  Jessica Criddle¹  MaKensey Sanders¹  Nicole Pyke¹  Michael May¹  Melissa Miller¹  Jade Campbell¹  LaGriff Griffin¹  Eva Lieberman¹  Emily Sandoz² 

[1] University of Louisiana at Lafayette, Lafayette, LA, United States;null;

关键词: intimacy;    vulnerability;    consent;    power;    well-being;    appetitive;    context;    behavioral;   

DOI  :  10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1200452

 received in 2023-04-04, accepted in 2023-07-25,  发布年份 2023

来源: Frontiers

【 摘 要 】

Vulnerability is emphasized in a number of theoretical models of intimacy (e.g., Intimacy Process Model), including from behavioral and contextual behavioral perspectives. Vulnerability is generally defined as susceptibility to harm and involves behaviors that have been historically met with aversive social consequences. From these perspectives, intimacy is fostered when vulnerable behavior is met with reinforcement. For example, interventions have trained intimacy by building skills in emotional expression and responsiveness with promising results. Vulnerability has divergent functions, however, depending on the interpersonal context in which it occurs. Functional intimacy is explored through the lens of functional relations, which play a key role in interpersonal processes of power, privilege, and consent. This conceptualization suggests that vulnerability must be under appetitive functional relations, consensual, and empowered for safe intimacy to emerge. The responsibility to promote appetitive learning of consensual, empowered vulnerability to foster intimacy falls to the person with more power in a particular interaction and relationship. Recommendations are offered for guiding this process.

【 授权许可】

Unknown   
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