7.1 Initial Attraction

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Learning Objectives

Summarize the variables that lead to initial attraction between people.

Outline the variables that lead us to perceive someone as physically attractive, and explain why physical attractiveness is so important in liking.

Describe the ways that similarity and complementarity influence our liking for others.

Define the concept of mere exposure, and explain how proximity influences liking.

Explore the relationship between affect and attraction.

When we say that we like or love someone, we are experiencing interpersonal attraction [Production: Please bold font in OER]—the strength of our liking or loving for another person. Although interpersonal attraction occurs between friends, family members, and other people in general, and although our analysis can apply to these relationships as well, our primary focus in this chapter will be on romantic attraction, whether in opposite-sex or same-sex relationships. [Production: Please revise sentence with the following edit indicated:] There is a large literature on the variables that lead us to like others in our initial interactions with them, and we’ll review the most important findings here (Sprecher, Wenzel, & Harvey, 2008), but first, let’s explore what you think contributes to attraction.

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Activity 1: Attraction Factors

*This section of the open course textbook is designed to support PSYC 3271, and the activity numbering corresponds to Unit 4.

Introduction

This is an opportunity for you to identify the factors that you feel are most important in a potential partner.

Instructions

From the list of attraction factors below, identify the five most important factors and list them in your course notes from most important to least important, based on your own opinions and feelings.

Attraction factors:

• Self-esteem
• Anxiety
• Outgoingness
• Niceness
• Humour
• Openness
• Earning prospects ($)
• Confidence
• Physical attractiveness
• Flirtatiousness
• Narcissism

Once you have completed the activity, take a moment to reflect on why you ordered the factors in this way. Are there certain factors that consistently stand out as more or less important when you think about attraction?

Adapted from: Walster, E., Aronson, V., Abrahams, D., & Rottman, L. (1966). Importance of physical attractiveness in dating behavior. Journal of personality and social psychology, 4(5), 508.

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