Top 5: Similarity Attraction

Theory

Jessica Hovis

Self explanatory, right?

Well, yes, actually I suppose it

is...

But there’s still a lot of interesting research on it!

Partly because it’s so broad…

Let’s talk definitions.

Homophily: if we believe people are similar to us, we are more attracted to them.

This is important in judging people we want to have

relationships with.

Aww. How cute.

But not just romantic relationships.

Any type. From a stranger on the street to potential

employers.

So what area of Communication Studies

claims it?

TAKE A GUESS.

You got it!

Interpersonal Communication.Because we need more than one person

for attraction.

Okay. So why do we study Similarity-Attraction?

Lots of reasons!

It matters to anyone in contact with other human

beings.

Human is sometimes a relative term…

This theory helps explain what attracts

different types of people.

It’s useful in marketing, advertising, human

resources, etc.

What are some current conversations in the

wonderful world of Similarity and Interpersonal Attraction?

Well, let me tell you!(briefly)

For a while, researchers mainly studied attraction due to

similarity between strangers.

(Dr. Donn Byrne, starting in 1961)

Others have decided to take it further, studying similarity-attraction in various stages of relationships and

different types of interactions.

See Singh, Ng, Ee Lin, Lin’s 2008 study: Different mediators for the age, sex, and attitude

similarity effects in interpersonal attraction

However, some say you can’t prove causation between

similarity and attraction.

Sunnafrank, 1985 and 1992

So, what do I think about all this?

Because I KNOW you want to know.

I’d argue that some degree of similarity is an essential factor

in maintaining all types of associations…

…but there should be certain complementary

characteristics for a truly successful relationship.

“Actual similarity [as opposed to perceived

similarity] was important in no-interaction and short-interaction

studies.”

(Montoya, Horton, and Kirchner, 2008)

So, that means if you’re passing someone on the street or briefly meeting

them, you’re more attracted to similarity.

However actual relationships must be

“more complementary in terms of dominance [personality traits].”

(Markey & Markey, 2007)

This means that dissimilar (dominant and

submissive) people go better together in

relationships, and have more minor similarities

(like interests and warmth).

Summary: Similarity is good for interests and

values. Complementarity in terms of dominant vs. submissive is better in longer relationships.

Got it? Clarity is always important.

So there you go. That’s a (short) explanation of the

Similarity and Interpersonal Attraction

Theory. You’re welcome.