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Significant other - Definition |
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Significant other (or SO) is a gender-blind, politically correct term to refer to a person's partner in a intimate relationship without disclosing or presuming anything about his or her marital status or sexual orientation. It is also vague enough to avoid offence from using a term that an individual might consider inappropriate (e.g. lover when she considers him a boyfriend, or girlfriend when he considers her a life partner).
The first known occurrence of the term was in 1953 by U.S. psychiatrist, Harry Stack Sullivan, a former editor of the journal Psychiatry, in his work, The Interpersonal Theory of Psychiatry.
Its usage in both psychology and sociology is different from its colloquial use. In psychology, a significant other is any person who has great importance to an individuals life or well-being. In sociology, it describes a person with a strong influence on an individual's self-evaluation as well as reception of particular social norms. This usage is synonymous with the term "relevant other."
See also
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Significant - Example Usage |
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Angeeelpearce: There is a significant difference between a band and a group of boys who are famous for being hot... |
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Taliyasworld: RT @everyybodyJones: If you can't talk to your significant other abt stuff then what are they there for… |
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ChrisDBarris: RT @timhudak: Moody’s downgrades Ontario credit rating, citing “significant risks.” We need a new path on spending, debt & jobs http://t.co/1Fllu30c |
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MacLaFox: !!!!! “@KitoBito: Honestly tho wen your significant other is around, there's no need to be on twitter” |
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Sigma_Says: RT “@Project_Muse: Pretty much RT @Sigma_Says: #WhyPeopleCheat not getting enough from their significant other” |
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