Editing Intimate relationship (section)

==== Initiation strategies ====
When potential intimate partners are getting to know each other, they employ a variety of strategies to increase closeness and gain information about whether the other person is a desirable partner. [[Self-disclosure]], the process of revealing information about oneself, is a crucial aspect of building intimacy between people.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Collins |first1=Nancy L. |last2=Miller |first2=Lynn Carol |date=1994 |title=Self-disclosure and liking: A meta-analytic review. |url=http://doi.apa.org/getdoi.cfm?doi=10.1037/0033-2909.116.3.457 |journal=Psychological Bulletin |language=en |volume=116 |issue=3 |pages=457–475 |doi=10.1037/0033-2909.116.3.457 |pmid=7809308 |s2cid=13919881 |issn=1939-1455|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Feelings of intimacy increase when a conversation partner is perceived as responsive and reciprocates self-disclosure, and people tend to like others who disclose emotional information to them.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Laurenceau |first1=Jean-Philippe |last2=Barrett |first2=Lisa Feldman |last3=Pietromonaco |first3=Paula R. |date=1998 |title=Intimacy as an interpersonal process: The importance of self-disclosure, partner disclosure, and perceived partner responsiveness in interpersonal exchanges. |url=http://doi.apa.org/getdoi.cfm?doi=10.1037/0022-3514.74.5.1238 |journal=Journal of Personality and Social Psychology |language=en |volume=74 |issue=5 |pages=1238–1251 |doi=10.1037/0022-3514.74.5.1238 |pmid=9599440 |s2cid=1209571 |issn=0022-3514|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Other strategies used in the relationship formation stage include humor, initiating physical touch, and signaling availability and interest through eye contact, [[Flirting|flirtatious]] body language, or playful interactions.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Clark |first1=Catherine L. |last2=Shaver |first2=Phillip R. |last3=Abrahams |first3=Matthew F. |date=1999 |title=Strategic Behaviors in Romantic Relationship Initiation |url=http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0146167299025006006 |journal=Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin |language=en |volume=25 |issue=6 |pages=709–722 |doi=10.1177/0146167299025006006 |s2cid=146305141 |issn=0146-1672|url-access=subscription }}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Moore |first=Monica M. |date=2010-03-24 |title=Human Nonverbal Courtship Behavior—A Brief Historical Review |url=http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/00224490903402520 |journal=Journal of Sex Research |language=en |volume=47 |issue=2–3 |pages=171–180 |doi=10.1080/00224490903402520 |pmid=20358459 |s2cid=15115115 |issn=0022-4499|url-access=subscription }}</ref> Engaging in [[dating]], [[courtship]], or [[hookup culture]] as part of the relationship formation period allows individuals to explore different interpersonal connections before further investing in an intimate relationship.<ref>{{Cite journal |last1=Skipper |first1=James K. |last2=Nass |first2=Gilbert |date=1966 |title=Dating Behavior: A Framework for Analysis and an Illustration |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/349537 |journal=Journal of Marriage and Family |volume=28 |issue=4 |pages=412–420 |doi=10.2307/349537 |jstor=349537 |issn=0022-2445|url-access=subscription }}</ref>