By Kristen Allen

Similarity and Interpersonal

Attraction Theory

Now, I know what you’re thinking…

And you’re kind of right!! But more on that later…

Have you ever heard the phrase “birds of a feather flock together ”?

Similarity-AttractionIf we believe people are similar to us, then we are more attracted to them. This is also known as homophily.

In the beginning of relationships, we all evaluate each other using perceived similarity, or the degree to which we believe another’s characteristics are similar to ours.

Remember?

Bersheid and Walster (1978) suggested there are 6 dimensions of similarity

1.Attitude

2.Personality

3.Physical

characteristics

4.Social characteristics

5.Intelligence

6.Education

McCrosky, Richmond, and Daly (1975) suggested there are 4 dimensions of similarity

1.Attitude similarity

2.Value similarity (morality)

3.Background similarity

4.Appearance similarity

Basically…

Examples could be your best friend whom you liked from the beginning because you had the same taste in clothes, music, sports, movies, hobbies, etc…

Or that person you liked because you thought they were physically attractive, they had similar values and ideals to yours, AND they were in the same social group as you. So, obviously, it was meant to be.

Who uses it?

Well, whether it’s romantic relationships…

Hey girl.

friendships,

or even strangers!

Similarity-attraction theory is a basis for

ALL human interaction!

(So, everyone!)

The similarity-attraction theory falls under the interpersonal communication area of

communication studies.

It takes more than 1 person to have a relationship!

Why Should You Care?

It answers the questions “why do we like each other?” and “what makes me like you in the first place?”

Similarity and interpersonal attraction theory is a basis for why ALL humans interact and why!

CriticismSunnafrank (1992) attacked the premise that attitude similarity causes interpersonal attraction. He said “there is no justification for the strong belief that attitude similarity causes interpersonal attraction. He believes the “cause-and-effect” relationship between similarity and attraction does not exist.

Also, some say that similarity-attraction theory doesn’t apply to all social situations. People that share similar negative characteristics, for example, may not like one another.

Last, but not leastMany fields of study use the similarity and interpersonal attraction theory! Some are (but not limited to)…

…and more!

Social Psychology Marketing

Political Science Sociology

The End!