Intimacy in friendships is characterized by which two of the following?

• A. Self-disclosure and emotional support
• B. Competition and rivalry
• C. Physical attraction and shared hobbies
• D. Authority and obedience

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of intimacy in friendships. Intimacy refers to a close, familiar, and usually affectionate or loving personal relationship with another person.
2. Step 2: Identify key characteristics that define intimacy in friendships. These typically include sharing personal thoughts and feelings (self-disclosure) and providing care and understanding (emotional support).
3. Step 3: Evaluate each option against the definition of intimacy. For example, 'Competition and rivalry' involve conflict rather than closeness, so they do not characterize intimacy.
4. Step 4: Recognize that 'Physical attraction and shared hobbies' may contribute to friendship but are not core components of intimacy, which focuses more on emotional connection.
5. Step 5: Note that 'Authority and obedience' relate to hierarchical relationships, not friendships, and thus do not describe intimacy in friendships.