Relationship Closeness Inventory (RCI)

Relationships thrive on connection, but how do we actually measure closeness? Psychologists often rely on the Relationship Closeness Inventory (RCI), a widely used tool developed to assess how deeply two people are involved in each other’s lives. Whether you’re studying relationships academically, working in therapy, or simply curious about your own connections, the RCI offers a structured way to reflect on closeness.

What is the Relationship Closeness Inventory?

The Relationship Closeness Inventory (RCI) is a psychological measure developed by Berscheid, Snyder, and Omoto in 1989. It was designed to assess the degree of interdependence between two people, particularly focusing on how often, how diverse, and how strongly they influence each other’s lives.

The RCI doesn’t only apply to romantic partners — it can also be used to evaluate closeness in friendships, family ties, or even professional relationships.

Components of the RCI

The inventory is broken down into three main components, each representing a dimension of closeness:

1. Frequency of Interaction
   • How often do you and the other person interact?
   • Do you see or talk to each other daily, weekly, or only occasionally?
2. Diversity of Interaction
   • How many different activities do you share?
   • For example, do you only talk on the phone, or do you also work, exercise, travel, and spend leisure time together?
3. Strength of Impact
   • How strongly does the other person influence your decisions, emotions, and daily life?
   • Do they significantly shape your routines, goals, or moods?

Together, these factors paint a holistic picture of relational closeness.

Why is the RCI Important?

The RCI is valuable because it moves beyond subjective feelings of “we’re close” and instead measures closeness through observable behaviors and interactions. This makes it particularly useful in:

• Relationship research: Studying the dynamics of friendships, romantic relationships, and family bonds.
• Therapy and counseling: Helping couples or family members reflect on areas where they feel connected—or disconnected.
• Personal reflection: Encouraging individuals to think about the depth of their own relationships.

Applying the RCI in Real Life

If you were to evaluate your relationships using the RCI, you might ask yourself:

• How much time do I spend with this person?
• How many parts of my life do we share together?
• How much do their choices affect mine?

A relationship with high scores in all three areas would be considered deeply close and interdependent. On the other hand, relationships with low frequency, limited diversity, and minimal impact may feel more distant, even if there is still affection present.

Limitations of the RCI

While powerful, the RCI has some limitations. It doesn’t directly measure emotional quality (love, trust, or satisfaction). Two people could interact frequently and influence each other strongly, but still experience conflict or dissatisfaction. Therefore, the RCI works best when paired with other measures of relationship quality.

Closeness in relationships is more than just how we feel — it’s about how much of our lives we share and how deeply we affect each other. The Relationship Closeness Inventory provides a meaningful way to measure these dynamics, helping researchers, therapists, and individuals gain clearer insights into the nature of their connections.

By reflecting on the RCI’s dimensions, you may discover which relationships in your life are flourishing, and which could use more time, variety, or depth to truly feel close.

FAQs on the Relationship Closeness Inventory (RCI)

1. What is the main purpose of the Relationship Closeness Inventory?

The RCI is designed to measure the closeness between two people based on how often they interact, the variety of activities they share, and how much they influence each other’s lives.

2. Who can use the RCI?

The RCI can be applied to romantic partners, friends, family members, and even professional relationships. It’s used by researchers, therapists, and individuals interested in understanding their connections.

3. How is the RCI different from just asking, “Do you feel close?”

Unlike subjective questions, the RCI focuses on observable behaviors like interaction frequency and influence. This makes it a more structured and objective way to measure closeness.

4. Can the RCI tell if a relationship is healthy or happy?

Not exactly. The RCI measures closeness, not emotional quality. A relationship can be close but still unhappy if conflict or dissatisfaction is present. Other tools are needed to assess happiness or satisfaction.

5. Is the RCI useful in couples therapy?

Yes. Therapists use it to help couples identify areas where they are strongly connected and areas where they may feel disconnected. It provides a starting point for conversations about relationship growth.

6. How can I apply the RCI in my personal life?

You can reflect on three questions: How often do we interact? How many parts of our lives do we share? How much do we influence each other’s decisions? Your answers can highlight the depth of closeness in your relationships.