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

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

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

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.

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

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

What makes us attracted to certain people more than others? The science of Psychology explains how people become attracted to one another. Certainly some aspects of beauty are cultural; fashion and trends change over time. Also, society and the media influence us into thinking what traits are attractive. Some reasons for attraction have to do with familiarity and proximity. Biology also plays a role in determining what traits we will possess. Biology and Psychology work hand and hand to help us pick our mates.

In the article “Why We Form Relationships,” as well as in our textbook “Interplay”, the authors define certain aspects that influence why we choose the relationships we choose. They both show that appearance is a big part of what influences our choices. Most people are raised to not judge a book by its cover, however without even meaning to we decide who we will let in our circle within seconds of seeing someone. Along with appearance, we seek out similarities in others, such as same taste in food, liking the same sports teams, or having the same hobbies. We also look for people that can give us any kind of reward at low cost; whether that reward is tangible, such as a gift, or intangible, such as emotional support.

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

What leads to friendship and attraction? Chapter eleven lists the factors that leads contribute to whether or not we are inclined to become friends with and attracted to another person. One of the factors is proximity and is define as geographical nearness. The book states that people who live close to each other or see each other ever often are more likely to become good friends than people who do not see each other too often. Interaction is a factor for a friendship. If people share similarities is more likely they become friends or attracted to one another. According to the book we are also likely to develop friendships with people who like us. Although the book states we around more likely to be friends with those who lives near us, you can make friends with people across the country. In class we discussed that along as both friends are willing to take time to keep the friendship going it is possible to have a long distance friendship. For example, by Face Timing once a week and keeping in touch the friendship can be maintain. Another factor that leads to attraction is physical attractiveness stereotype. The physical attractiveness stereotype is the presumption that physically attractive people possess other socially desirable traits as well: what beautiful is good. For example, people tend to think that beautiful people are happier, sexually warmer, more outgoing, intelligent and successful. The book states that in laboratory studies and in field experiments

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.

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.

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

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

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).

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.