Determinants Of Attraction Flashcards
What determines attraction?
Proximity/propinquity - mere exposure effect Similarity Reciprocity Physical attractiveness Familiarity
Define interpersonal attraction
It is the attraction between people which may lead to friendships or romantic relationships.
Interpersonal attraction can be viewed as a force acting between two people that tends to draw them together and resist their separation
What determinant is also known as propinquity
Proximity
What did Miller, Perlman and Brehm say about proximity
The more we see and interact with a person the more likely he or she is to become our friend or intimate partner.
Functional distance between two people is MORE important than geographical distance ( how often people’s paths cross ) TRUE OR FALSE?
True. Functional distance between two people is more important
Proximity - What were the findings of Festinger, Schachter and Back
270 students randomly assigned to apartments in a 17 building complex. They were asked to name their 3 closest friends within the complex.
65% of friends were from the same building
41% listed friends next door neighbours
Residents of apartments 1&5 (near stairwells) formed TWICE as many friends with their upstairs neighbours as did those living in the middle of apartments
What did Liben-Nowell, Novak, Kumar, Raghavan and Tomkins, 2005 find about proximity as a determinant of attraction?
Using archival data on social relationships, analysis of the social networks of more than 5,000 live journal bloggers.
In this community 2/3 of an average user’s friends were GEOGRAPHICALLY CLOSE.
Provided converging evidence that people interact with others who are geographically close.
The frequency and duration of online communication increased as geographical distance between individuals decrease.
Online communications increased when geographical distance decreased.
Why does proximity influence attraction?
- Availability there is a low cost of interaction
- Anticipation of future interaction
- Familiarity mere exposure
Explain what Moreland and Beach 1992 found about the mere exposure effect.
They conducted a study of 4 female confederates pretended to be students in a large psychology class. Each woman attended a different amount of lectures. At the end of term, the students were shown photos of each women and asked to rate how likeable she was.
The most classes a female confederate visited the higher she was rated in terms of attractiveness of personality.
What is the limitations of the mere exposure effect conducted by Moreland and Beach 1992
Over exposure effect and circumstances may have been pleasant
Similarity is resembled to birds of a feather flock together. The more similar another’s attitudes, beliefs and values and the more we like them. What does this also extend to?
Demographic characteristics and physical attractiveness
Using the notion of implicit egotism, what have scholars shown
Implicit egotism shows we are attracted to others based on similarity on the most arbitrary things such as names, date of birth, size of earlobes.
What did Newcomb 1961 find about similarity
A study of university of Michigan students in dorms. Researchers measured participants attitudes before they met with the other students. Those who were friends at the end of the year were those with
- similar demographic backgrounds such as race, economic
- same attitudes and majors (attitudinally similar)
What did Mayer and Puller find about similarity
Individuals are more likely to become friends and romantically involved with those who share similar political views.
What does the MATCHING HYPOTHESIS mean
The tendency for people to like others who are SIMILAR on socially desirable traits such as attractiveness, intelligence and wealth.
We approach people equal to us for friendships and relationships
What did Murstein find about similarity in attractiveness
Pictures of real couples were consistently rated as more alike in levels of attractiveness.
True or false - we approach others of similar attractiveness to avoid rejection
TRUE
Why do we like similar others
Similar others will like us - reciprocity
Similar others validate our beliefs and attitudes - reinforcement
Similarity facilitates smooth interactions
Similar others have qualities we like
Is there evidence for complimentarily in attitudes, values?
No evidence - can become a source of irritation and arguments
We tend to like those who like us as Curtis and Miller 1986 demonstrated. Explain their study
60 same sex pairs of previously unacquainted students participants in 5 min get to know you conversations. Person As belief about Person Bs feelings for them were manipulated. If person A likes them they will like them back
What did Eastwick, Finkel, Mochon and Ariely find on reciprocity
Participants flirted more with and showed more romantic desire for, and eventually wanted to date those who reciprocated interest. However a limitation of this is who indiscriminately showed romantic desire and dating interest were judged unselective, less desirable dates
What is another determinant of attraction in terms of looks.
Physical attractiveness is a determinant of attraction, we like attractive people and we judge them more positively on dimensions not related to beauty
Define the Halo effect
One positive characteristic of a person dominates the way that person is viewed by others
How are beautiful people treated
They receive lighter sentences when convicted
They earn more money
They are more likely to be hired for a job
They receive help faster
They receive more votes in elections
