Interpersonal Attraction
Relationships with the individuals around us are key to ones social existence. Personal accounts by people who have been isolated from the outside world serve as a reminder of our dependence on others. What draws us into these "relationships"? Studies of interpersonal attraction have concluded that people are attracted mostly to those that they find physically attractive and who are geographically close.
The first step to understanding why we are attracted to certain individuals we must first understand an individuals person perception or the process of forming impressions of others. First impressions often help us to determine whether we are attracted to another individual. Our first impressions of an individual has a great impact on our perception of that person, even though we encounter that person for only a brief period of time. When we perceive a person we account for both the positive and negative characteristics of that individual. Although most people seem to be interested in another individual's positive characteristics, the negative information is usually weighed so heavily that it overrules all the positive information about that person.
What makes another person attractive? Researchers have identified five factors that are important in determining whether we are likely to find another person attractive. These factors are physical attractiveness, proximity, competence, mutual attraction or liking, similarity or complementarity of interest and beliefs.
Physical attractiveness is the most important factor in the early stages of relationships. In general, people are more likely to interact with people who they find physically attractive. As Krebs and Adinolfi once stated "there is a growing body of evidence which shows that the average person drastically underestimates the influence of physical attractiveness…". Although this factor is highly important in affecting the initial attraction, it tends to diminish over time.
Physical closeness or proximity is another important factor in interpersonal attraction. Obviously, in order to meet, two people must share close proximity. The sharing of this space will help you to get to know a person better.
Physical Attractiveness And Courtship. Sexual Behaviour, I, 22-25 Walster, E. (1966) Importance Of Physical Attractiveness In Dating Behaviour. Journal Of Personality And Social Psychology, 4, 508-516 Wilson, G. (1983) QED:The Science Of Sexual Attraction, BBC Television.
Karbo Karen. "Friendship: The Laws of Attraction." Psychology Today 39.6 (2006): 90-95. EBSCOhost. Web. 18 Feb. 2014.
The Fundamental Interpersonal Relations Orientation Theory was created by William Schutz. He has a vast amount of research that demonstrates the way we attempt to meet our needs for inclusion, control, and affection through friendships, work, and romantic relationships. Inclusion has to do with the varying degrees to which we all need to establish and maintain a feeling of mutual interest with other people. Shutz’s theory, Fundamental Interpersonal
We will be focusing more on what one can see in a person rather than what they cannot to show that opposite attraction is false. For instance, appearance is a major factor that can been seen by anyone without even talking to them. However, there are also other factors that one can see in another
but personality does matter most to me, and unlike a lot of people, I don't just say that to make myself look better. I really believe it.
Klohnen, E., & Luo, S. (2003). Interpersonal attraction and personality: What is attractive--self similarity, ideal similarity, complementarity or attachment
Human’s put a tremendous amount of brain energy and time into obtaining happiness, which is normally associated with finding the “perfect” mate. Many aspects go into the process that is used to determine if one person is better suited than another. Appearance, age, and personality all contribute to someone’s level of attraction to another. Opposites attract is a common myth stating that those levels of attraction are based of extreme differences between the individuals and that difference is what produces the attraction.
"Interpersonal attraction refers to positive feelings about another person. It can take many forms, including liking, love, friendship, lust, and admiration" (spark notes). Sometimes these kinds of relationships can happen between individuals that people meet throughout their daily lives. For any relationship to exist or last,last there has to be effective communication. Communication is a major factor used to either build up or tear down interpersonal relationships. Also, having effective listening skills helps the relationship become stronger. In the movie, 50 First Dates, there are many instances where interpersonal relationships are illustrated. This paper will discuss the different types of interpersonal relationships that are found in the movie, as well as how important communication is in a relationship to keep that bond strong and last.
First impressions are created by a composite of signals given off by a new experience (Flora, 2004). The judgment of these impressions depends on the observer and the person being observed (Flora, 2004). When you meet someone for the first time it takes about three seconds to be evaluated by the observer (Mind Tools, 1996-2011,). During this time the person forms an opinion about you based on your appearance, your body language, your demeanor, and how you dress (Mind Tools, 2996-2011,). Impressions are important to us because they are impossible to be reserved and the set the tone for all the relationships that follow (Mind Tools, 1996-2011).
How first impressions are formed has been a subject of interest by many researchers in the area of psychology.
Taylor, Pepau, & Sears (2000) explain that first impressions are extremely important because they are the initial idea that an individual forms about another individual and determine whether they decide to pursue any type of relationship. People tend to form impressions of each other relatively quickly and use minimal information such as the gender of the o...
Good physical appearance helps in building up flexible relationships. For example women who take care of their physical appearance manage to have a better relatio...
Relationships, especially close and trusting relationships, are very important for the positive, social and psychological growth of the individuals involved in the relationship. In our world, people in close relationships desire physical contact, emotional support, acceptance, and love. These traits and feelings are part of human nature, and people strive for these types of interpersonal relationships in order to fulfill the void in people’s lives and, above all, to make sense of live through trust, sharing, and caring. During my high school experience, I have met many interesting people in the classroom, as well as in sporting events. I made many new friends in sporting events and during school. Although none of these relationship ever turned into an intimate relationship, each relationship had different turning points. Mark Knapp suggest that interpersonal relationships develop through several stages. My relationship with my best friend, Sisalee, has gone through the coming together stages initiating, experimenting, intensifying, and integrating.
Sexual attraction refers to desirability as it relates to a sexual connection; individuals are sexually attracted to those they would perceive as a mate in some way. This attraction can be rooted in a variety of factors, including those both tangible and intangible. Sexual attraction often refers to physical attraction, or being aroused by a person’s physical traits. These can include appearance, smell, or voice. However, sexual