4.8 Interpersonal Attraction

What Draws Us Together

Attraction is influenced by proximity (nearness increases contact and liking), similarity (shared attitudes, values, and interests), and physical attractiveness. The mere exposure effect explains why repeated contact with someone increases our liking for them, even without interaction.

Matching and Reciprocity

The matching hypothesis suggests people tend to form relationships with partners of similar attractiveness levels. Reciprocity of liking shows we tend to like people who like us back. Together, these principles help explain who ends up together in romantic and platonic relationships.

Love and Relationship Theories

Passionate love involves intense emotion and arousal, while companionate love reflects deep affection and commitment built over time. Sternberg's triangular theory identifies intimacy, passion, and commitment as components combining to form different types of love, such as consummate love (all three present).

Key terms

Mere exposure effect

Increased liking for someone or something due to repeated exposure.

Matching hypothesis

The idea that people tend to form relationships with partners similar in physical attractiveness.

Reciprocity of liking

Tendency to like people who show that they like us.

Passionate vs. Companionate love

Passionate love = intense emotion/arousal; Companionate love = deep affection and commitment over time.

Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love

Love is composed of intimacy, passion, and commitment; different combinations create different types of love (e.g., consummate love = all three).

Try an AP-style question

Which factor best predicts friendship formation?

1. Random chance only
2. Opposite personalities
3. Different interests
4. Proximity