The conceptual structure of human relationships across modern and historical cultures

Xi Cheng, Haroon Popal, Huanqing Wang, Renfen Hu, Yinyin Zang, Mingzhe Zhang, Mark A. Thornton, Yina Ma, Huajian Cai, Yanchao Bi, Jamie Reilly, Ingrid R. Olson and Yin Wang ()
Additional contact information
Xi Cheng: Beijing Normal University
Haroon Popal: Beijing Normal University
Huanqing Wang: Beijing Normal University
Renfen Hu: Beijing Normal University
Yinyin Zang: Peking University
Mingzhe Zhang: Beijing Normal University
Mark A. Thornton: Dartmouth College
Yina Ma: Beijing Normal University
Huajian Cai: University of Oklahoma
Yanchao Bi: Beijing Normal University
Jamie Reilly: Temple University
Ingrid R. Olson: Temple University
Yin Wang: Beijing Normal University

Nature Human Behaviour, 2025, vol. 9, issue 6, 1162-1175

Abstract: Abstract A defining characteristic of social complexity in Homo sapiens is the diversity of our relationships. We build connections of various types in our families, workplaces, neighbourhoods and online communities. How do we make sense of such complex systems of human relationships? The basic organization of relationships has long been studied in the social sciences, but no consensus has been reached. Here, by using online surveys, laboratory cognitive tasks and natural language processing in diverse modern cultures across the world (n = 20,427) and ancient cultures spanning 3,000 years of history, we examined universality and cultural variability in the ways that people conceptualize relationships. We discovered a universal representational space for relationship concepts, comprising five principal dimensions (formality, activeness, valence, exchange and equality) and three core categories (hostile, public and private relationships). Our work reveals the fundamental cognitive constructs and cultural principles of human relationship knowledge and advances our understanding of human sociality.

Date: 2025
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DOI: 10.1038/s41562-025-02122-8

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