<p>In general, I would have said the opposite: there's a robust literature on familiarity driving liking, even with non-social stimuli like shapes:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mere-exposure_effect" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mere-exposure_effect</a></p>
</blockquote>

<p>This is also true with people. There may be some kind of an effect whereby people who are familiar and then separated bicker less after the break than before, but I haven't seen this studied. I'd suggest you look at terms like conflict in close relationships for psychological research, e.g.:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Simpson, J. A., Rholes, W. S., &amp; Phillips, D. (1996). Conflict in close relationships: An attachment perspective. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71(5), 899-914.
  <a href="http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.71.5.899" rel="nofollow noreferrer">http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.71.5.899</a></p>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2018-08-24T14:43:52.247Z
2018-08-24T14:43:52.247Z
Cameron Brick
<p>I notice this happens ubiquitously. When siblings are apart in college, or kids away from parents due to college, or even long distance relationships - during a reunion (like over the holidays) only the positives tend to be highlighted, there is generally less fighting and more harmony and the overall relationship feels much better than it would be on average if the separation was not there.</p>

<p>What is the name of this effect, if it has one? Or are there any results/studies about this?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-08T18:09:50.130Z
We Czechs use the term "submarine disease". Is "[cabin fever](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabin_fever)" what you have in mind?
John Dvorak
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-11-14T00:11:34.417Z
Absence makes the heart grow fonder
Greg McNulty
<social-psychology><perception>
What is the name of the effect or concept behind getting along better with people after time apart?
Palace Chan
# What is the name of the effect or concept behind getting along better with people after time apart?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-11-08)

I notice this happens ubiquitously. When siblings are apart in college, or kids away from parents due to college, or even long distance relationships - during a reunion (like over the holidays) only the positives tend to be highlighted, there is generally less fighting and more harmony and the overall relationship feels much better than it would be on average if the separation was not there.

What is the name of this effect, if it has one? Or are there any results/studies about this?

**Tags:** social-psychology, perception

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: We Czechs use the term "submarine disease". Is "[cabin fever](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cabin_fever)" what you have in mind?  
> **username_2**: Absence makes the heart grow fonder  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_3 on 2018-08-24. Score: 1

In general, I would have said the opposite: there's a robust literature on familiarity driving liking, even with non-social stimuli like shapes:

> <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mere-exposure_effect>

This is also true with people. There may be some kind of an effect whereby people who are familiar and then separated bicker less after the break than before, but I haven't seen this studied. I'd suggest you look at terms like conflict in close relationships for psychological research, e.g.:

> Simpson, J. A., Rholes, W. S., & Phillips, D. (1996). Conflict in close relationships: An attachment perspective. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 71(5), 899-914.
> <http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/0022-3514.71.5.899>


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