Determinants of Liking/Attraction

Question 1

Explanation of Interpersonal Attraction

Answer 1

• There are various factors involved in the formation of attraction, the five main factors are as follows:

• Physical attraction
• Demographic similarity
• Proximity
• Attitude similarity
• Similarity in personality

Question 2

Physical Attraction

Answer 2

• First thing we notice about people is there appearance and often an assessment of physical attractiveness is made by whether they are clean/dirty
• Women are attractive if they have child-like faces
• Square jaw, small eyes, thin lips, regarded as attractive, these features can be regarded as a sign of maturity, rarely found in children
• Is there any evidence to support the previous assertions?
- Brigham (1971) reported physical attractive people are thought of as being generally attractive
- Known as halo effect
• The Matching Hypothesis:
- We actively seek individuals who are most like ourselves (attractive wise). This compromise is necessary because of fear of rejection from a more attractive person
• Evolutionary Explains Attraction:
- Like all animals, humans are programmed to find a suitable mate for reproduction
- If a man is ‘turned on’ by a healthy, young and attractive woman this will mean that this woman can increase his chance for successful offspring, since youth and good looks are good signs reproductive potential

Question 3

Proximity

Answer 3

• Festinger et al (1950) found students who live in close proximity of each other formed strong/close friendships because of the continued exposure. In his study of graduates who lived in 17 different 2 story flats has close friends who lived in the same building (2/3)

Question 4

Attitude SImiliarity

Answer 4

• Bryne et al (1968) found similarity in attitude was very important for interpersonal attraction. They arranged matters so that the person seemed to have similar attitudes the participants on either 75% or 25% of topics
• Findings:
- Only when similarity was related to topics of importance that it affected attraction

Question 5

Democratic similarity

Answer 5

• Demographics such as age, sex and social class have long since been linked with relationships. These characteristics certainly affect friendship

Question 6

Similarity in personality

Answer 6

• People who have similar personalities are most likely to become involved with each other… birds of a feather flock together
• Winch (1958) argues for opposites, however similarities have been found to be important.
• Burgess and Wallin (1953) obtained information from 100 engaged couples. There was significant within couple similarities