Abstract
The link between dyad friendship pattern and properties of mutual understanding was explored using the seventh graders as subjects. In study 1, 42 mutual (MP) and 47 unilateral (UP) friendship pairs were selected. Each partner in each pair was asked to choose five dispositional traits which deemed to describe properly (1) self, (2) partner, and (3) self perceived by partner respectively from 30 traits. Five kinds of criteria to delineate mutual understanding were devised. MP, as opposed to UP, showed greater mutual understanding and recognized not only partners' attractive traits but receiving desirable estimation from partners. MP were also aware of sharing weak points. In Study 2, conducted four-months after Study 1, stable pairs (20 maintained mutual, MM) and vacillating ones (six growing mutual, GM; 11 decayed mutual, DM) were selected. For each of these pairs, the degree of fluctuations in mutual understanding was analyzed. Results showed DM became to see partner as having negative traits, besides to assume receiving negative evaluation from the partner, while MM sustained high degree of mutual understanding.
