Interpersonal Attraction

Dyadic Relationships Dyadic relationships are relationships that form between two individuals. Dyadic relationships start at birth (between child and caregiver) and continue through adulthood, as people become involved in intimate relationships. Interpersonal attraction is the study of attraction between people.

Factors Influencing Attraction Proximity—Individuals who live close to one another and have frequent interactions are more likely to begin and sustain relationships with one another. Proximity allows us to get to know each other better because we have more frequent contact with one another. Physical attractiveness—Symmetrical faces and bodies are more sexually attractive than asymmetrical ones; an average face is attractive. Both men and women (and even babies) tend to like good-looking people, and physical attractiveness has wide ranging effects. For example, attractive people are typically perceived as healthy and more successful. Attractiveness varies over time and across cultures, although there are common views across cultures of what an attractive face is.

Similarity—People are more likely to be attracted to those who are similar in age, race, religion, social class, personality, education, and physical attractiveness. Similarity often relates to the self-serving bias, as it helps us to reaffirm the positive characteristics in ourselves by finding them attractive in another individual. The attitude-similarity effect suggests that the more similar people are in attitudes and beliefs, the more attractive they will be to each other. In contrast, the repulsion hypothesis suggests that the more people differ in attitudes and beliefs, the less attractive they will be to each other.

Familiarity (mere exposure effect)—Individuals are more likely to be drawn to individuals with whom they have frequent interactions. Familiarity is related to proximity because proximity allows for breeding of familiarity. Reciprocity—Individuals tend to like people who like (or appear to like) them

Theories of Romantic Attraction Robert J. Sternberg’s triangular theory of love: Combinations of basic components lead to different types of love. Components (a) Passion is a complete absorption in another that includes tender sexual feelings and the agony and ecstasy of intense emotion. (b) Commitment is an intent to maintain a relationship in spite of the difficulties and costs that may arise. (c) Intimacy is warmth, closeness, and sharing in a relationship.

Types of Love (a) Romantic love is high passion and intimacy; lack of substantial commitment. (b) Companionate love is high intimacy and commitment; low passion. (c) Fatuous love is high passion and commitment. (d) Consummate love is high in all three components.

Elaine Hatfield’s two types of love 1. Passionate love is wildly emotional, intense, temporary, and likely to occur in the beginning of a relationship. Arousal is a key factor in passionate love. 2. Companionate love is deep affectionate attachment, develops as love matures, and is based on friendship and commitment.