something about the mere word “intimacy” evokes an image of not necessarily being in the middle of sex, but at least being in a situation that’s setting the mood for it. at any rate, no matter what you’re imagining specifically, it’s likely aligned to the concept of being intimate with someone, which is a notion many of us regard as first and foremost a physical act. truly connecting with someone calls upon a combination of the four types of intimacy, …

intimacy, the state of being intimate, which is marked by the consensual sharing of deeply personal information. intimates reveal themselves to one another, care deeply about one another, and are comfortable in close proximity. according to psychologist harry reis and colleagues, for a relationship to be intimate, self-disclosure must occur in a context of appreciation, affection, understanding, and acceptance. indeed, an intimate experience has not taken place until there is empathic feedback—until acceptance and acknowledgment are communicated verbally or nonverbally …

“when i first met my husband, he was different and didn’t consider nonsexual physical touch or physical affection a necessity.” the problem plagued her dating history. “mismatched needs for affection and touch are common in relationships,” said mr. jacobs, the therapist. the couple has navigated divergent levels of affection for the duration of their relationship, with mr. lee needing more affection and ms. lee wanting less.

it is important that both partners meet in the middle and constantly adjust to …

when you think of intimacy with your partner, there are probably two types that come to mind: sexual and emotional. emotional intimacy is one of the most important types to share with your partner. the overall benefit of intellectual intimacy is being able to share thoughts and opinions that are respected by your partner. one of the most important parts of aesthetic intimacy is learning to appreciate each other’s interests. work intimacy isn’t about your careers — it’s about each …

to many people, part of the appeal, the mystique, of love is that it is incomprehensible. let us take a look at what the science of love has to say and find out. is the stuff of commitment and emotional intimacy. in short, the common idea that “opposites attract” is nearly entirely a myth. this effect, called , was discovered by robert zajonc (1968), and it is one of the most well-known effects in psychology. in the case of sex, …