Discovery of the family: From the inside to the outside

The purpose of this article is to show how some links among various models of individual and family relationships begin to constitute a science of intimate relationships. Convergences and differences among these models require their comparative evaluation in the laboratory as well as in primary, secondary, and tertiary prevention. Examples from a theory of personality socialization in the family are given to illustrate how links between theory and practice can be achieved through replicable measures in the laboratory, enrichment programs in primary prevention, programmed distance writing in secondary prevention, and psychotherapeutic tasks in tertiary prevention.