The idea of emotional immediacy is that in a close relationship, people's emotions are more immediate and intense than they would be if they were not in such an intimate connection. This can lead to feelings of "being in the moment" and a sense that time has been compressed. In this state, people may feel like their senses are heightened and they are more aware of their surroundings.
A couple in love may notice how everything around them feels richer and fuller because they are so focused on each other.
Fantasizing about closeness often involves thinking about what it would be like to have a deep emotional connection with another person. People might imagine being completely understood and accepted by someone else, or feeling like they could share anything without fear of judgment. These fantasies can make people feel like they need to connect with others right away, even if it means breaking through social norms or ignoring practical concerns. When people act out these fantasies, they may find themselves rushing into relationships before they really know the other person well. They may also experience a strong sense of urgency and desire for physical contact.
Psychologically speaking, these reactions may come from a need to satisfy certain unmet needs.
People who had negative experiences with closeness as children may crave it now, but have trouble connecting in healthy ways. Or, people who grew up with a lot of stress or trauma may seek a way to distract themselves from their pain by focusing on closeness. Fantasizing about closeness can also provide comfort and security when life is uncertain or difficult.
It's important to remember that real-life relationships take time to develop and are not always easy. It takes effort to build trust and understanding between two people, and sometimes things don't go perfectly. If people act on their fantasies too quickly, they risk hurting themselves or others. It's best to approach new connections slowly and carefully, getting to know someone over time rather than trying to force them into an idealized version of intimacy.
What psychological questions emerge when fantasizing about closeness so urgent it appears to compress time and heighten sensory perception?
A common psychological experience is the feeling of being overwhelmed by intense desire for intimacy and affection, which can lead to an altered sense of time and enhanced awareness of physical stimuli. This phenomenon has been studied extensively in research on love and attraction, with various hypotheses proposed to explain why some individuals feel such powerful feelings of longing and passion.