Attraction Relationship

864 Words2 Pages

In the next 5 pages, we will discuss how to understand and distinguish attraction. Before doing that, we must establish what exactly attraction is. Attraction is defined as the action or power of evoking interest, pleasure, or liking for someone or something. (source) However, that definition can be interpreted in different ways. While feelings of attraction may open the door for the possibility of a relationship, they don’t guarantee that one will develop. Attraction can be broken down into different categories: rewards, proximity, reciprocity, similarity, and barriers. We will discuss each of those individually in the coming paragraphs. We will also discuss the things that men and women find most attractive in the opposite sex. The idea …show more content…

We like those that are closer to us. Face to face interaction is more personal than a conversation over the phone or internet, which is why a good majority of long distance relationships don’t work. Going back to rewards, interactions between people- whether friends, family, or partners- are more rewarding when you can see a friendly smile, or have the comfort of hearing other’s voice. In a non laboratory study of attraction research, Donn Byrne, Charles Ervin, and John Lamberth conducted a computer dating field study. The study included a 50 item questionnaire on attitudes and personalities and was administered to 44 male- female pairs who were matched on the basis of minimal and maximal similarity of responses. The couples were introduced, given information about the basis of their matching, and asked to spend 30 minutes together in the Student Union. After their “coke date,” they returned to the examiner and were assessed independently. It was found that similarity and attractiveness wee related to the physical proximity of the two individuals after the date. (Byrne, Ervin, & Lamberth, 1970) Think about it like this: when you first started college, the first friends you probably made were you roommates or those who lived in the same building as you. Although those friendships may not last forever, it’s easy to make friends with those who are close to you. The reason who proximity is so important is because you often interact with those who are close to you. You cross paths often and become more familiar with those people. Research even proves that those who you recognize tend to be more likable to you- even if you’ve never spoke. (Miller, n.d.) Proximity is convenient and rewarding, whereas distance can be more costly. This is why many long distance relationships do not survive. The bottom line is we are more likely to meet and interact with those who are close to us. The more we talk with someone, the more

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