The ways in which people described their own interpersonal relationships were examined along the universally acknowledged relational dimensions control and affiliation. A total of 216 undergraduate communication students wrote about one of three types of relationships they had: best liked friend of the opposite sex, (60), best liked friend of the same sex, (90), and least liked other (66). Analysis showed that relationships were described in terms of affect, approach-avoidance, and structure. Subjects characterized their positive relationships in terms of support and their negative relationships in terms of incongruity. Importantly, control emerged not as a significant dimension but as a subset of structure. Control was seen as just one of the many types of constraints, limits, and obligations used to organize relationships. Affect appeared broader than previously considered, encompassing several cognitive and behavioral components. Support was seen as a caregiving/caretaking dimension. Approach-avoidance was an indication of the inclusiveness of the relational system. Incongruity in negative relationships was seen to encompass the insincerity enacted by people who were forced into a relationship and were trying to "put a good face on it." (Author/RL)