What Are the Social Factors That Influence Interpersonal Attraction? Discuss in Relation to Relevant Psychological Theories and Studies

I found it interesting that the authors found that actual similarity did not predict romantic attraction, that in fact similarity was significantly or marginally related to romantic liking for 6 of the 26 results were in the expected direction. They also found that significant effect of socio-sexuality similarity on liking, and socio-sexuality shares some conceptual overlap with extraversion.

Blau states that “social attraction is the force that induces human beings to establish social associations on their own initiative and to expand the scope of their associations once they have been

The attraction theory of similarity is described in the book as simply that “people tend to like other people who are similar to themselves” (Social Psychology, 98). There are five main reasons that similarity

McNulty, J. K., Neff, L. A., & Karney, B. R. (2008). Beyond initial attraction: Physical

Critique: I found this essay to be enlightening in several ways. Not only was the information presented in an organized way, but it was also very interesting. I agree with the author’s statements about the trials and tribulations of relationships, and I find myself agreeing most with his biological theory of attraction. I especially liked the psychological direction of the essay, as it remained fairly objective and scientific while still presenting new and different ideas as witnessed by his inclusion of historical facts with the addition of his own unique analysis and commentary

Why do we form relationships? In chapter 8 we find out that in relationships one aspect can be related to the appearance of someone. As well how proximity to an individual can have a great impact on the way a relationship will develop. One must also take into consideration how one's similarities will make a relationship stronger and last longer. It also goes to how one may eventually terminate a relationship that is no longer working.

The studies I participated in were from FaceResearch.org. The description of this website was, ‘Participate in short, frequently updated experiments about the traits people find attractive in faces and voices, find out how you compare to others, and learn more about the psychology of attractiveness.’ I was very interested in this section in class, so I decided to do a few studies from this website. The first was one titled Facial Attractiveness, and I clicked on it because it had the most participants (over 77,000). In this experiment, participants were supposed to indicate which face was more attractive (and how much we prefer it) of the two shown. The participants could click on the following options: much more attractive, more attractive, somewhat more attractive, or slightly more attractive. There were abut forty sets of faces. They would show two female faces, one more feminized and one more masculinized. Then, they would show two males faces. In the end, the results were as follows: ‘On average, people preferred the more feminine women 80% of the time and the more feminine men 54% of the time. You preferred feminine women 100% of the time and feminine men 0% of the time.’ I also participated in the study What makes a face attractive? It was similar to the other study in which I was given two faces and had to choose which one was more attractive. The results were as follows: ‘On average, people had a 58% preference strength for the more feminine images. You had a 46%

Within the past decade we have witnessed a series of new developments and an enormously growing interest in the understanding of human behaviour, especially when it comes to the basic principles of human mate choice. Mate preference is something which is often considered a very individual choice and appears to be influenced by cultural and economic norms. However, on the basis of numerous research works, it is a today’s acceptation that attractiveness represents a signal resulting from sexual selection. Although we have different preference for facial expression, body shape or height, recent findings suggest that mate preferences are mainly cued on

The Halo Effect is the cognitive bias that generalizes that if an individual has one outstanding favorable character trait, the rest of that individual’s trait will be favorable. Specific to physical attractiveness, this is known as the “Attractiveness Halo.” Attractiveness plays an important role in determining social interactions. In fact, the physical attractiveness of an individual is a vital social cue utilized by others to evaluate other aspects of that individual’s abilities (Kenealy, Frude, & Shaw, 2001). Because of the attractiveness halo, attractive applicants trying to enter the workforce tend to

Without even realizing it, we as humans everyday pick out various types of characteristics in each other defining in what we want in a mate. In the Discovery Channel’s show, “Science of Sex Appeal” we are shown various different types of reasonings which make us attracted to certain people. An example of this is when four people were set to walk on a treadmill. During this experiment, two of the people, who were male and female, were asked to walk normally. The second set of people were asked to also walk on a treadmill, but were told they would be recorded and rated on their sexual attractiveness.

Over the years, researchers have been aiming to determine what draws an individual towards another. Attraction preference has changed as we have become more open-minded throughout the generations. There are specific traits that each individual finds attractive. While basing a person just upon physical characteristics, the study is going to observe how race affects a person’s attraction preference towards another individual. This will be demonstrated by seeing if a person is intrigued by similar traits in which they happen to contain or if they are drawn to unique differences.

First, when people have their own perspective of relationship on how they should be maintained compared to how society or different cultures depict relationships. Because the five factors of personal attraction affect friendships and relationships because have a major impact on how we all deal with each other on different levels. When dating and in imamate relationships and friendships there has to be different attractions that keep us connected or disconnected from one another. First you are attracted to them by Proximity which means when you feeling close to someone, there is also familiarity, when you are attracted to someone that you see often then you also have to have a similar attraction to someone which is called, similarity is somethings that you have with people like others who are like them. Also there is Physical appearance, when you like someone looks, reciprocity, you are also more attracted to people that are like them. “There are five important factors that initiate and predict interpersonal attractions: proximity, familiarity, similarity, physical appearance and reciprocity in liking” (Clarke, 1952). When searching for a friendship and romantic relationship these are the five factors that would necessary when searching for a healthy friendship or relationship. When dealing with society and different cultures sometimes our opinion about the right friendship and relationships.

The five factors that predict interpersonal relationships are: proximity, familiarity, similarity, physical appearance, and reciprocity. Proximity refers to the geographical location of persons. People are more likely to initiate, engage, or maintain relationships if someone’s geographical location is near or convenient to the person they are to pursue. Relationships, whether romantic or platonic, are not as likely to be initiated if the proximity does not allow individuals to cross paths or maintain a certain level of communication. As well, familiarity plays an important role in the fostering of relationships. People are said to have an increased attraction and fondness for individuals that they see more often than those they do not. In lay terms, similarity can be summed up by saying that people enjoy the presence of those like (or similar) to them. Individuals are more often drawn to and feel less intimidated by others that share their culture and belief systems; thus, are more likely to form relationships with them. Next, is physical attractiveness; which can be defined in two different ways. First off, people tend to believe that beautiful things equal good things and are more likely to seek out relationships with individuals they find beautiful. However, people are also likely to form relationships with people they believe to be on

A study conducted by Mackinnon, Jordan, & Wilson (2011) examined how seating preferences are affected by physical similarity in strangers. The researchers proposed that people would sit closer to physically similar others even when those physical similarities are unrelated to important markers of social status, such as sex and race. The study states that without the opportunity to interact facilitated by physical proximity, a relationship is less likely to form (Mackinnon, Jordan, & Wilson, 2011, p. 879).

The personal characteristic, preferences and environment play a role in creating an interpersonal attraction towards opposite sex. It will be a major determinant the first time two people see each other and eventually how they feel to each other. The interpersonal attraction will surely affects the interaction of two people from opposite sexes.