The Space between Us: Exploring the Dimensions of Human Relationships

by Ruthellen Josselson

Integrating psychological theories with empirical evidence, the author of this volume draws fundamental conclusions about the nature and types of relationships, and develops eight dimensions of relatedness ranging from the very casual to the deeply intimate. Each chapter examines a particular dimension and includes a brief life history of a person interviewed by the author. Particular attention is paid to how the type of relationship discussed shaped that person, with diagrams charting these relationships over time. The book also discusses how the sexes differ in the way they relate to others and the various forms that love can take.

Genres: Psychology, Nonfiction, Relationships

320 pages, Paperback

First published January 15, 1992

About the author

Ruthellen Josselson, PhD, is Professor of Clinical Psychology at Fielding Graduate University. She was formerly Professor at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Visiting Professor at Harvard University School of Education, and Visiting Fellow at Cambridge University. Dr. Josselson is a cofounder of the Society for Qualitative Inquiry in Psychology; coeditor of 11 volumes of The Narrative Study of Lives, a series dedicated to publishing qualitative research; coauthor of Five Ways of Doing Qualitative Analysis; and author of many journal articles and book chapters that explore the theory and practice of qualitative inquiry. She has conducted workshops on interviewing skills for qualitative inquiry in the United States, France, Norway, Finland, Israel, and the United Kingdom. Based on interviews she has conducted over 35 years, she has written two books exploring women’s identity longitudinally (Finding Herself and Revising Herself) and three other books (The Space Between Us, Best Friends, and Playing Pygmalion). Dr. Josselson is a recipient of the American Psychological Association’s Henry A. Murray Award and Theodore R. Sarbin Award as well as a Fulbright Fellowship.

Reviews

[Ktneilson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thought the text was: interesting, poignant, universally understandable and incredibly digestible.I expected a dry toast, pointed finger, pontification and happily I received a intimate conversation about the innate needs and relatedness of all human beings; why we love, strive, look for mutuality and seek understanding and acceptance. It was good!

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read this book in 1999 for a class, then again in 2006. I have worked with the premise that is put forth on the dimensions of relationship and created my own way of thinking about them, which is much less linear. I like what this book offers. It was thought-provoking.

[Jo Ann]

description "The best book on interpersonal relationships to appear in many years. Deeply insightful. Written with lucidity and grace." --Irvin D. Yalom, Profess

[Becca · Rating 3 out of 5]

While this book was written from a very Freudian perspective (which typically does not resonate with me) I definitely enjoyed reading it!
Given that the book is fairly old there were some things that I found to be outdated; however, overall it is a good book if you're looking to gain a better understanding of how relationships, attachment, and the self develop from infancy to adulthood.